Eat For Eight Bucks: Crunchy Chicken Salad Sandwiches

As spring approaches, I feel less hesitant about presenting a sandwich as dinner food. Me, I’m happy when two slices of bread protect just about any filling, but I’m also the type who’s plenty satisfied with a $1.50 slice of pizza stuffed in my face on the street. In spring and summer, a sandwich is totally justifiable, easy to prepare, cool, and transportable for when the time comes to eat outdoors.

The most economical time to make this sandwich is after you’ve simmered a pot of chicken soup. Salvage the soup chicken from the pot, shred it, and you’re good to go. Other times, just buy a couple chicken thighs, as in the recipe below, and poach ‘em.

Our philosophy with sandwiches is to add a little something extra, whether it’s chipotle mayo, pickled shallots, or buttery pears. Here, bacon is the classic, indulgent “extra.” When it’s really summer, a thick slice of tomato would be a nice addition.

From my kitchen, albeit small, to yours,

Cara, THE QUARTER-LIFE COOK

**Recipe**

Crunchy Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Bacon
Serves 2

These sandwiches are super cheap-less than $6 per person to make!

Ingredients
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 small carrots, 1 cut into rough chunks, the other diced
1 small onion, halved
2 medium celery stalks, 1 cut into rough chunks, the other diced
2 scallions, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Salt
3 slices bacon
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
Freshly ground pepper
4 slices bakery whole grain bread

Poach the chicken: add the chicken thighs, the roughly chopped carrot, onion, and roughly chopped celery to a medium pot with a lid. Cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Skim any foam from the top, and reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer until the chicken is cooked, about 20 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate, let cool, then shred. Chicken can be cooked and shredded up to 3 days in advance and stored in refrigerator.

In a medium mixing bowl, toss the scallions with apple cider vinegar and salt. Set aside.

Add bacon in single layer to large skillet. Cook over medium to medium-low heat, turning occasionally, until crisp and well rendered (about 10 minutes total). Drain on paper towels, then break each slice in half.

Add the shredded chicken, mayonnaise, diced carrots, and diced celery to the mixing bow with the scallions and vinegar. Mix to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Toast bread. Divide chicken salad evenly on top of two slices of bread. Top with bacon and close sandwiches. Serve.