This Pickle’s On Fire | All Good Bagels (Queenstown)

Fried Chicken makes four servings; sandwich makes one

Start a day ahead with this fried-chicken toastie to ensure a great brine on the chicken. When it comes to frying it, either use a small deep-fat fryer or an air fryer set to 180°C. Assemble all of the other delicious ingredients while the chicken is nice and hot. 

Ingredients for fried chicken:

• 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• Half a jar of strained McClure’s pickle juice

• 1L oil for frying

• 1 cup cornflour

• 1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning

• Pinch of salt

• Pinch of black pepper

Method:

1. Marinate the chicken thighs in the pickle juice in a large container for 24 hours.

2. Heat oil in a large pot. 

3. While the oil is heating, mix the cornflour, Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper in a large bowl.

4. Drain the chicken and coat in the cornflour mixture, making sure to really get each piece well coated.

5. Make sure the oil is at 180°C. Deep fry the chicken for 6-7 mins. The internal temperature of the chicken must reach 75°C to be sure it’s cooked. 

Ingredients for toastie:

• 1 bagel 

• Butter

• 100g of prepared fried chicken

• 1/2 stalk of spring onion

• 50g cream cheese

• Pink peppercorns 

• Smoked Gouda cheese

• ½ jar McClure’s pickles

• Hot honey

Method:

1. Preheat your grill or toastie press.

2. Grate smoked Gouda, then grind pink pepper all over the cheese and give it a good mix.

3. Chop the spring onion super fine and mix with the cream cheese.

4. Slice the bagel in half, butter both slices and toast. 

5. Give both bagel halves a heavy schmear of the scallion cream cheese.

6. Chop the fried chicken and put on top. 

7. Place the pink pepper-corn smoked Gouda on top.

8. Add a layer of pickles and drizzle honey over everything.

9. Put the whole thing under a grill or in a toasted sandwich maker until warm and melted.