By Edan Goode

 

With four picky eaters, you’d better believe I treasure the go-to meals I make that I know every one of them will like. My Spicy Chicken Sandwiches are at the top of the list with my kids. You can certainly skip the spicy sauce and the sandwiches will still be very good. But a little heat never hurt anyone!

 

Spicy Chicken Sandwiches

1 Boneless, skinless chicken thigh per person (they are more moist and cook more evenly than breasts) *

Salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste

1/4-1/2 cup Frank’s Hot Sauce (depending on the amount of chicken and degree of heat you want)

1-2 Tablespoons butter

Small hamburger buns or dinner rolls, cut in half

Lettuce and sliced tomato

Mayonnaise or Chunky blue cheese dressing

 

Method:

Drizzle some olive oil in a skillet large enough to hold all of the chicken thighs. When hot, add the thighs and saute over medium high heat. Periodically, try to lift an edge of some of the chicken thighs to see if they have caramelized and released themselves from the pan yet. Don’t try to turn the thighs before this happens or you’ll pull off the nice, golden crust you’ve made. When ready, turn them over and cook the other side until the thighs are no longer pink in the middle.

Sprinkle some salt, pepper and garlic powder on them while still in the pan. Remove the thighs to a paper towel lined plate.

In the same pan, turn the heat down to low and melt the butter. Add the Franks Hot Sauce to the pan and mix the sauce and butter together.

Return the chicken to the pan, turning to coat both sides with the sauce. Continue keeping the heat on, turning until the sauce starts to thicken.

To assemble the sandwiches, spread mayonnaise or dressing on the buns and place one chicken thigh per person on the bun, topping it with lettuce and tomato. Note, using a mild blue cheese dressing instead of mayo gives a true buffalo chicken wing flavor.

Serve with a platter of chilled vegetables or a crisp salad.

 

* I buy bags of frozen, boneless, skinless chicken thighs at Sam’s Club and take only as many as I need for a meal. It’s very handy.