Fried Chicken Sandwich and Poppyseed Coleslaw

I read about a fried chicken sandwich on Serious Eats and I had to have one. A fluffy white sandwich roll cradling a tasty hunk of fried chicken, a spoonful of coleslaw…a truly excellent sandwich but unfortunately for me I’m not in Oakland, Ca. Instead I decided to make my own version.
Not much of a recipe needed for this pretty puppy. I used boneless chicken breasts; butterflied and pounded them flat, dunked them in cream, dredged them through seasoned flour, and fried them up using my 8 quart Le Creuset dutch oven.
The bun is a whiter than white (flour) version of my earlier whole wheat. I didn’t get quite the fluffiness I wanted because I rushed the final rise, but they were still tasty, tender, and fresh.
The coleslaw was my absolute best ever, really! Farm fresh Napa cabbage sliced thin and dressed with a fabulous poppyseed dressing. I used an apple vinegar I get from Vom Foss and it is so frackin tasty I could have snarfed the whole bowl of coleslaw all by myself. But I was charitable and I shared. The poppyseeds are fun because they add a little crunchy, nutty explosion in each bite. Make this coleslaw now…you can thank me later.

We’ve been visited by a family of Sandhill cranes almost every day this week. They lope through the yard and graze on some berries that fall from a tree and then they move on. I shot this photo using the 10x zoom feature on my camera.

Poppyseed Coleslaw
(printer-friendly recipe)
Head of Napa Cabbage
1/2 medium white onion
2 cloves garlic
1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup apple vinegar
honey (optional)
salt
pepper
3 tablespoons poppyseeds
Slice the cabbage into thin ribbons. Put the onion, garlic, oil, and vinegar into the work-bowl of the food processor and pulse until combined. If the vinegar is very tart you may want to add some honey. Season with salt and pepper and then add the poppy seeds. Don’t dress the cabbage until your ready to eat…it’s not as sturdy as regular cabbage. Pour the dressing over the cabbage and toss and serve.
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16 Responses to “Fried Chicken Sandwich and Poppyseed Coleslaw”
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Okay, this coleslaw sounds like absolutely the best coleslaw imaginable. Between the napa cabbage and those pretty pretty poppyseeds, I can think of few more exciting coleslaw concoctions.
I created a link to your recipe in our newest “Cast Iron Around the Web” entry at http://www.cookingincastiron.com
That sandwich is SO calling my name!! Cool crane!
That sandwich looks amazing and I love that poppy seed slaw. I love making hamburger buns from scratch-they are sooo much better than store bought.
Mmmm . . . how did you get your chicken to look so moist and juicy? Sounds awesome.
What a perfect alternative to burgers! I always make a fairly traditional cole slaw, with cider vinegar and agave nectar, but never with Napa cabbage. Will try it.
This looks really good… what an interesting idea. The chicken looks really moist and juicy and the coleslaw looks very tasty. I wouldn’t mind trying this!
At first it was the sandwich that caught my eye, I mean how could it not? Then I noticed the coleslaw, I just love poppy seeds, this all looks so delicious! And how cool is that bird?!
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Oooh, I’m ready to crawl through my computer and nab that plate! The sandwich and the coleslaw look so yummy!!!
This looks ridiculously good. Like Chik-fil-A on steroids. :)
Vanessa, that looks so delicious I can hardly stand it! I love coleslaw on my barbeque sandwich (like my Carolina friends taught me!) but I haven’t had it like this. But you better believe this dinner is showing up at my house ASAP!! And what a treat to see beautiful cranes out the window!
Wow. That looks like a damn fine sandwich! I love the idea of using the poppy seeds in the coleslaw - it makes the slaw aesthetically gorgeous as well. Yum.
I love that photo of the crane!
I’m on a diet. I just finished a work-out. This sandwich is going to kill me.
<3
The photographs of your food are incredible! I just found your blog and spent a long time culling recipes to try: granola, pasta carbonara, home made hamburger buns…..just to name a few.
That looks *so * good.