Backyard Chicken Recipe
pepper jack, avocado, poblano, onion, apple bbq sauce, mayo, red leaf lettuce, tomato
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Sandwich
Method
Sandwich
- 1
Prep chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry. If breasts are thick, butterfly them or pound to an even 3/4–1" thickness so they cook evenly.
- 2
Season chicken
In a small bowl combine 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Rub the spice mix evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over the chicken and rub to coat.
- 3
Cook poblano and onion
Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil (for veg). Slice the poblano into long strips and thinly slice 1/2 medium yellow onion. Add poblano and onion to the hot pan, season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper, and sauté until softened and lightly charred, about 6–8 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
- 4
Cook chicken
Wipe the pan (or use a clean grill). Return to medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook about 4–6 minutes per side (depending on thickness) until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C). In the last 2 minutes of cooking, brush both sides of the chicken with about 1/4 cup of the apple BBQ sauce so it glazes and warms through.
- 5
- 6
Toast buns
Split the burger buns or ciabatta and toast cut sides in the skillet or under a broiler until lightly golden, about 1–2 minutes. Spread mayonnaise (about 2 tbs per sandwich) on the bottom bun and a thin smear (about 1 tbs) of apple BBQ sauce on the top bun if desired.
- 7
Slice avocado and tomato
Halve and pit the avocado, then slice thinly. Slice the tomato into 1/4" slices. Lightly season tomato with a pinch of salt if desired.
- 8
Assemble
On the mayo-spread bottom bun arrange 2 leaves of red leaf lettuce, then place the BBQ-glazed, pepper jack-topped chicken breast. Top with a generous layer of sautéed poblano and onion, then avocado slices and tomato. Add the top bun and press gently.
- 9
Serve
Cut the sandwich in half if desired and serve immediately with extra apple BBQ sauce on the side.
