Crispy Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Cheddar, Honey Mustard Baby Gem Salad, and Chips

Instructions

Step 1: Start With the Chips

Kick things off by preheating your oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas mark 7.

Begin by chopping the potatoes lengthways into 1cm slices. Then, further chop these slices into 1cm wide chips. There’s no need to peel the potatoes.

Place the freshly cut chips onto a large baking tray. Drizzle them with oil, and season with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Give them a good toss to ensure they’re evenly coated, and then spread them out in a single layer. If necessary, you can use two baking trays to make sure the chips are well spread out.

With your oven now at the right temperature, bake the chips on the top shelf until they’re gloriously golden, a process that should take around 25-30 minutes. Don’t forget to give them a turn halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

While the chips are baking, it’s time to prep the chicken. Begin by placing each chicken breast between two pieces of baking paper or cling film. Give them a gentle bash with the bottom of a saucepan until they’re about 1-2 cm thick. Then, season the chicken with salt and pepper.

In a medium bowl, crack the egg (consult the pantry for the required amount) and give it a whisk. In another medium bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, Central American style spice mix, and salt (refer to the pantry for the exact amount).

Now, it’s time to coat the chicken. Dip each chicken breast into the whisked egg and then into the breadcrumb mixture, making sure it’s fully coated. Place the coated chicken on a clean plate. Remember to wash your hands and any utensils after handling raw chicken and its packaging. Also, be sure to discard any leftover egg.

Step 3: Fry and Bake the Chicken

Get a large frying pan onto high heat and add enough oil to coat the pan’s bottom. Let the oil heat up for about 2-3 minutes before adding the chicken. You want the oil hot enough to ensure proper frying.

Carefully lay the coated chicken in the pan and let it fry until it turns a lovely golden brown, which should take around 2-3 minutes per side. Adjust the heat as needed to avoid overcooking.

Once both sides are golden, transfer the chicken to a large baking tray and place it on the middle shelf of your oven. Allow it to bake until it’s cooked through, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes. To check for doneness, make sure the chicken is no longer pink in the middle.

Step 4: Get Started on the Buffalo Sauce

While the chicken is baking, grate the Cheddar cheese. Trim the baby gem lettuce, halve it lengthways, and then thinly slice it.

Dispose of the hot oil from the frying pan, wipe it clean, and put it back on medium-high heat.

Pour in the cider vinegar and water required for the sauce (check the pantry for specific measurements). Bring the mixture to a boil, then let it simmer until it’s reduced by half, which should take around 2-3 minutes.

Stir in the sriracha and honey, and continue stirring until the sauce thickens, typically 1-2 minutes. If your honey has become solid, you can place it in a bowl of hot water for about a minute to soften it.

Step 5: Finish the Prep

As the buffalo sauce thickens, stir in the creme fraiche until the mixture becomes piping hot, which takes about 1-2 minutes. Give it a final seasoning with salt and pepper. If the sauce appears a bit too thick, feel free to add a splash of water. Once it’s the right consistency, remove it from the heat.

With the chips having about 5 minutes left in the oven, combine the sliced baby gem lettuce with the honey and mustard dressing in a medium bowl. Give it a good toss to ensure everything’s well coated. Season with salt and pepper.

Warm up the tortillas in the oven for 1-2 minutes. You’ll need 3 tortillas per person.

Step 6: Assemble and Serve

When all components are ready, take the crispy chicken and thinly slice it.

Start assembling the tacos by placing the warm tortillas on each plate. Top them with the dressed salad, sliced crispy chicken, a drizzle of the buffalo sauce, and a generous sprinkle of Cheddar cheese.

Serve your delectable tacos alongside the chips and offer some mayo (check the pantry for quantity) for dipping. Enjoy these delightful treats by eating them by hand!

Indulge and savour the flavours!