Honey & Basil Hot Chicken Sandwiches

 

I can't believe that two weeks from today will be Christmas day.  My days seem to be evaporating into thin air!  That's why things like these delicious Honey & Basil Hot Chicken Sandwiches are on the menu more often than not as my days are filled with addressing cards, writing notes, etc.  You know how it goes.  Every year I say I am going to have everything done before December, but I am such a procrastinator! 

 

These might not be the most attractive sandwiches to look at, but this is certainly a case where you won't want to judge a book by its cover, because they are fabulously delicious! 

 

At the weekend, I had taken out what I thought was chicken thighs from the freezer only to discover it was a mix of chicken breasts and chicken tenders.  I poached them in some stock, with some peppercorns and a few bay leafs added.  Tender and moist, they were perfect for shredding.  I used some for these sandwiches and I will use more for chicken salad one day.

 

I toasted some lovely soft buns on the insides and then spread the bottoms with some mayonnaise and tomato chutney.  The tomato chutney gave it a bit of a sweet and spicy spark. You could also use Heinz Chili Sauce or really any other kind of chutney, so long as it goes with the flavour of basil.

 

I piled some shredded chicken on top of that and then I whisked together some basil pesto and honey.  I drizzled most of it over the chicken, reserving some to brush on the bun tops.

 

On top of the pesto, I layered on some sliced of Swiss type of cheese.  Swiss melts really nicely and has a sweet nutty flavour.

 

At the very last came the bun tops which I brushed with the remaining pesto mixture.  I cover them and popped them into the oven  just until heated through and the cheese had melted.  I then uncovered them for a few minutes to let the buns brown a bit.

 

Todd had his with some potato salad and I enjoyed mine with a mix of crisp vegetable sticks. (I love raw vegetables!)

 

If you don't want the tops to be that brown, skip the uncovering bit.  I didn't mind and they were nice and crisp on the outsides, and soft and fluffy on the insides  . . .

  

And the filling mixture was gorgeous, simply gorgeous.  I love it when I cross my fingers, throw some things together and they come out delicious!   

Yield: Makes 8 SandwichesAuthor: Marie Rayner

Honey & Basil Hot Chicken Sandwiches

prep time: 10 minscook time: 25 minstotal time: 35 mins

These are delicious, simple and quick to make.  I use poached chicken breasts to make them, but, they are also great way to use leftover roast chicken, rotisserie chicken or even roast turkey.

ingredients:

2 chicken breasts, poached and shredded

230g good quality basil pesto (8.1 ounces)

4 TBS liquid honey

good quality mayonnaise

tomato chutney (optional)

8 slices Gruyere or Swiss cheese

8 hamburger buns split and toasted

instructions:

Place the bottoms of your buns in a
baking dish.  Spread with some mayonnaise and tomato chutney (if
using).  Top each with a quantity of the shredded chicken.  Whisk
together the basil and honey.  Drizzle over top of the chicken,
reserving some to brush on the tops of the buns.  Top each with a slice
of cheese and then the top bun.  Brush each with some of the honey basil
 mixture.  Cover with a sheet of foil you have sprayed with some cooking
 spray.  Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, uncover and bake for 5
 minutes longer.

Note - tomato chutney is a bit spicy and somewhat sweet. You can also use the Heinz Chili Sauce that you buy in North America, which is like a sweet spicy ketchup. A good BBQ sauce also works well.

Created using The Recipes Generator

 

These were really, really good.  A new favourite around here!  I had a half of one cold for breakfast yesterday and it was still delicious, which says a lot!  Bon Appetit!