Cajun Chicken Crunch Melt

Feeds 4 · Around $15

Crispy fried chicken, pepper jack, crunchy onions, and spicy Cajun sauce on buttery garlic toast.

Watch the recipe video on YouTube

Ingredients

Chicken

• 2 large chicken breasts (cut into 4 thin cutlets)

• Oil for frying

Buttermilk Marinade

• 2 cups buttermilk

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Flour Dredge

• 2 cups flour

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Cajun Sauce

• 1/2 cup mayo

• 2 tbsp hot sauce

• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Sandwich Build

• 8 slices Texas toast garlic bread

• 4 slices American cheese

• 8 slices pepper jack cheese

• Pickles

• Crispy fried onions

Cooking Instructions

Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl combine:
buttermilk
paprika
smoked paprika
garlic powder
onion powder
salt
black pepper
Add chicken and marinate at least 1 hour. Overnight is better.

Dredge the Chicken

In another bowl combine:
flour
paprika
smoked paprika
garlic powder
onion powder
salt
black pepper
Take chicken directly from the marinade into the seasoned flour.
Press the flour into the chicken hard so you build those crispy craggy edges.
Let the coated chicken rest 5–10 minutes before frying.

Fry the Chicken

Heat oil to 350°F.
Fry chicken 4–5 minutes per side until deep golden brown and cooked through.
Set onto a rack or paper towels.

Make the Sauce

Mix together:
mayo
hot sauce
Cajun seasoning
garlic powder
smoked paprika

Toast the Bread

Bake or air fry the Texas toast until crispy and golden.

Build the Sandwich

Layer:
garlic toast
pepper jack cheese
crispy chicken
more cheese
pickles
crispy fried onions
Cajun sauce
top toast