Blackened Chicken Sandwich with Cajun Mayo

Usually when I create a new meal, it is because I am craving something…usually a food memory type craving. This meal is no different. With all the snow we have been getting lately, my brain heads to my homeland of Tampa Bay, FL. I have been listening to Jimmy Buffett for my cool-down at the gym. And I have been dreaming of eating some delicious seafood while watching the sunset over the water.

I know what your thinking…what does seafood have to do with Blackened Chicken? Well, when I think of seafood, I think of the Cajun Grouper Sandwich with a side of Bohemian Sauce from Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill on Clearwater Beach…the best place in Tampa Bay to watch the sunset. And since I don’t like to cook seafood (call it a phobia), I decided to recreate this iconic sandwich with chicken. See, a perfectly logical train of thought on how this recipe was created.

The most difficult part of this was to try to recreate the Bohemian Sauce. I haven’t been to Frenchy’s in probably over 2 years, so while the memory is fond, it is starting to get faint. So while I am not sure if this matches up to the original, it is certainly delicious and came out exactly as I had pictured it. The great part about this recipe…I now have a whole jar of the Blackened Seasoning. I have a feeling I will be putting this stuff on pretty much everything!

Blackened Seasoning Recipe

Ingredients

• 1.5 tbsppaprika
• 2 tsp salt
• 1.5 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp french thyme
• 1/2 tsp oregano

Directions

• Place all ingredients in a container with a lid
• Mix thoroughly
• Store in air-tight container

Cajun Mayo Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp Mayo
• 1 tsp Ketchup
• 1/4 tsp horseradish
• 4 – 10 dashes hot sauce ( I used Sylvia Sauce, Kicking, Hot)
  
• Blackened Seasoning to taste

Directions

• Place first 4 ingredients in a bowl
• Mix well
• Add Blackened Seasoning to taste (I used about 1/4 tsp)
• Stir well
• Refrigerate at least 20 minutes before serving

Blackened Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (pounded to desired thickness)
• 4 Tbsp Blackened Seasoning (adjust to taste)
• 1 Tbsp butter or butter substitute (Divided into 8 pieces. I use Brommel & Brown)
• 4 Crusty bread rolls
• 1 batch of Cajun Mayo

Directions

• Rinse and pat chicken breast dry
• Cut each chicken piece in half, so the length of each chicken is halved
• Spray grill pan with non-stick spray and heat over medium-high heat
• Sprinkle each chicken piece liberally with Blackened Seasoning (all surface area of chicken should have a light coating of seasoning)
• Pat seasoning into chicken
• When pan is hot enough that chicken sizzles when it touches the pan, place all chicken into the pan
• Let chicken cook on this side for 5 minutes without moving
• Flip chicken
• Add one pat of butter to each chicken piece, spreading the butter around
• Cook for 5 minutes
• Flip chicken again
• Add the remaining pats of butter to the top of each chicken piece, spreading the butter around
• Cook for 5 minutes
• Flip chicken again
• Continue to cook until chicken is cooked through
• Place cooked chicken on toasted rolls and drizzle with Cajun mayo.
• Add desired toppings (the mayo and dill pickles were perfect!)

Happy Eating!
– Renee Hirschberg