Recipe: Grilled Chicken Ciabatta

This is Guy Food - the kind of sandwich you make when your best mate comes over for lunch.

INGREDIENTS

• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• 6 rashers of streaky bacon
• 2 skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 4 slices of buffalo mozzarella
• cos lettuce
• juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp. paprika
• salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and cut in half
• a drizzle of olive oil
• 2 tbsp. wholegrain mustard
• 2 tbsp. mayonnaise
• 2 ciabatta rolls

METHOD

1. Place the skinless chicken breasts in a bowl.

2. Add a small glug of olive oil, lemon juice, paprika and salt and pepper to taste.

3. Combine with your hands, making sure that the chicken is completely covered.

4. Pop in the fridge and leave for about an hour.

5. Heat a non-stick pan, add the marinated chicken, and fry until cooked through – about 10 minutes a side.

6. While the chicken is cooking, put the bacon on a baking tray and grill in a hot oven until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towel.

7. Keep the chicken and bacon warm.

8. Slice the ciabatta rolls in half.

9. Heat a griddle pan and add a drizzle of olive oil.

10. Once the griddle pan is hot, place the ciabattas inside and toast the insides until griddle lines have formed – do these in batches if necessary.

11. While the bread is still hot, take the halved garlic and rub it onto the insides of the rolls.

12. Grab two plates and put half a garlicky ciabatta onto each, then build your sandwich.

13. Start with a layer of cos lettuce, followed by mozzarella, red onion and sliced tomato.

14. Next, cut the grilled chicken into strips and place on top of the tomato.

15. Combine the mayonnaise and mustard and generously drizzle it over the chicken.

16. Season to taste, and then place the crispy bacon on top.

17. Close them up with the other two halved ciabattas, cut in half and serve with ice-cold beer.

OK FOOD TIP:

For the health-conscious guy, replace the ciabatta with rye bread and leave out the bacon.