LOUISIANA HOT SAUCE CHICKEN SANDWICH WITH CAJUN RANCH DRESSING

Louisiana Hot Sauce Chicken Sandwich with Cajun Ranch Dressing image

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Time 2h25m

Yield 4 sandwiches

Number Of Ingredients 25

2/3 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons hot sauce, such as Frank's
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
Juice of 1 lime
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (1 1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/4 pound pepper jack cheese, thinly sliced
4 soft club rolls
8 leaves Bibb lettuce
Cajun Ranch Dressing, recipe follows
1 cup good mayonnaise
1/4 cup buttermilk, shaken
3 tablespoons hot sauce, such as Frank's
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon blackening seasoning
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 celery stalk, finely diced
1 red bell pepper, finely diced
1 clove garlic, minced

Steps:

In a small bowl, whisk the buttermilk, hot sauce, honey, cumin, garlic, lime juice and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the chicken into a re-sealable bag and pour the buttermilk marinade over. Marinate in the fridge, at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken until cooked through and 165 degrees F, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
Place the cheese on the bottom of each roll, then top with 2 chicken thighs, lettuce and a dollop of Cajun Ranch Dressing.
In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, buttermilk, hot sauce, lemon juice, blackening seasoning, mustard, salt and cayenne. Fold in the scallions, celery, red peppers and garlic with the mayonnaise mixture.