Chimichurri Smoked Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe

Cooking Directions

• STEP 1.Start by marinating the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and spices. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
• STEP 2.Preheat your grill or smoker to medium-high heat. Place the marinated chicken on the grill and cook for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• STEP 3.Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Then, chop it into bite-sized pieces.
• STEP 4.In a large bowl, combine the chopped chicken, diced red onion, diced bell pepper, chopped celery, and chopped fresh parsley.
• STEP 5.In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
• STEP 6.Pour the dressing over the chicken and vegetables, and toss until everything is well coated.
• STEP 7.To assemble the sandwiches, spread a generous amount of chimichurri sauce on one side of each slice of bread.
• STEP 8.Place a scoop of the chicken salad on one slice of bread, and top with lettuce and tomato slices.
• STEP 9.Cover with the other slice of bread and press gently to hold everything together.
• STEP 10.Serve the sandwiches immediately, or refrigerate for later. They can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Cooking Tips

• For extra smoky flavor, you can use smoked paprika in the marinade.
• If you don't have a grill or smoker, you can also cook the chicken in a skillet or bake it in the oven.
• Feel free to customize the salad by adding other vegetables like cucumber or avocado.
• To make the chimichurri sauce, blend together fresh parsley, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Storage and Serving

• This chicken salad is best served chilled.
• You can serve it on toasted bread, in a wrap, or on top of a bed of greens.
• It makes a great picnic or party dish, as it can be made ahead of time and easily transported.
• If making ahead, store the chicken salad and bread separately to prevent the bread from getting soggy.