It’s OK Not to Share Jerk Chicken Sandwiches

If food is a way to a man’s heart, these sandwiches are a divine reward for all the dads out there. My husband discovered this sandwich in the Caribbean and much to his chagrin I devoured his and left my salad untouched. Atonement was needed and this recipe is the result. Instead of a rub, I used a marinade to infuse the chicken with even more flavor. The mango relish and remoulade sauce add the perfect finish. Just remember, a truly delicious sandwich need not be shared. 

Note: do not be daunted by the list of ingredients most are spices and pantry basics.  

Reprinted with permission from The Ultimate New Mom’s Cookbook by Aurora Satler, Page Street Publishing Co. 2018. Photo credit: Aurora Satler.

By / Photography By | June 14, 2018

Ingredients

SERVINGS: 4 Sandwich(es)
For the Jerk Marinade
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
For the Remoulade Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 3 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha
  • ½ teaspoon hot smoked paprika
For the Mango Relish
  • ½ cup finely chopped yellow mango
  • ¼ cup finely chopped tomato
  • 1 tablespoon minced jalapeno, optional
  • 1 tablespoon minced red onion
  • 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • Sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
For the Sandwich
  • 1 pound thinly sliced chicken breast
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 8 slices pepper jack cheese
  • 4 Kaiser rolls
  • 4 leaves of bib lettuce

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F. In a gallon plastic re-sealable bag, combine the ingredients of the jerk marinade. Seal and shake to combine. Place chicken breasts in the bag, seal and shake to distribute marinade over all surfaces. Marinate at least 10 minutes or overnight.  

Meanwhile, mix the ingredients of the remoulade in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use. In a medium bowl, mix the ingredients of the mango relish. Cover with plastic wrap until ready to serve. 

Once chicken has marinated, add vegetable oil to a large sauté pan and bring to medium-high heat (1-2 minutes). Cook the chicken 2-4 minutes per side, the thinner it is sliced the faster it will cook. You want the pan pre-heated so you get a nice char on the surface of the chicken and the inside remains tender. As chicken is cooking, slice your Kaiser rolls in half and dress all sides with remoulade. Top each half with a slice of pepper jack. Bake on a baking tray for about 4 minutes until buns have just toasted and the cheese has melted. 

To assemble the sandwich, add the chicken to the bottom half of each roll. Top with lettuce and mango relish. Serve warm. 

Ingredients

SERVINGS: 4 Sandwich(es)
For the Jerk Marinade
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
For the Remoulade Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 3 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha
  • ½ teaspoon hot smoked paprika
For the Mango Relish
  • ½ cup finely chopped yellow mango
  • ¼ cup finely chopped tomato
  • 1 tablespoon minced jalapeno, optional
  • 1 tablespoon minced red onion
  • 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • Sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
For the Sandwich
  • 1 pound thinly sliced chicken breast
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 8 slices pepper jack cheese
  • 4 Kaiser rolls
  • 4 leaves of bib lettuce