Servings: 2

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

I’m always experimenting with bold flavours, and this sandwich was no exception. It started with some leftover Nando’s Lemon & Herb Chicken Rub, which gave me the idea to create a sandwich that bursts with tanginess, a little heat, and of course, a nice contrast of textures. I marinated chicken breasts with the rub and then pulled the cooked chicken, mixing it with a bit of Nando’s Lemon & Herb Perinaise and fresh jalapeños for an added kick.

This sandwich really comes alive with the lime and red cabbage slaw. It adds a bright, crunchy layer that cuts through the richness of the cheese and chicken, and the pickles in the middle give it a satisfying tang. It’s the kind of sandwich that’s great for a weekday lunch but still impressive enough for weekend gatherings.

Let me walk you through how I made it and share a tip for those of you who may not have the Nando’s sauce handy. You can still achieve that lemony, herby kick with some simple ingredients from your pantry.

Why Nando’s Lemon & Herb Sauce Was the Perfect Choice

If you’ve ever used Nando’s products, you’ll know that they pack a flavour punch. The Lemon & Herb Chicken Rub is a favourite of mine when I’m in the mood for something that’s light on heat but heavy on zest. For this sandwich, I wanted the chicken to have a bold citrusy note that worked in harmony with the other elements, and Nando’s delivered that beautifully. The addition of their Lemon & Herb Perinaise to both the pulled chicken and the slaw gave everything a smooth, creamy consistency with a subtle tang that rounded out the sandwich.

The perinaise acted like a glue that pulled the sandwich together, and with the jalapeños, it added just the right amount of heat without being overpowering. It’s a great way to balance the creaminess of the cheese and the sharpness of the pickles. If you’re a fan of Nando’s sauces, you’ll definitely appreciate how it plays into this sandwich.

Making an Alternative to Nando’s Lemon & Herb Sauce

Not everyone has Nando’s sauces at home, and I get that. But if you want to recreate the essence of that lemon and herb flavour, it’s actually pretty easy to make your own version with a few basic ingredients. Here’s how:

Homemade Lemon & Herb Sauce:

• • ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise

• • Zest and juice of 1 lemon

• • 1 clove garlic, minced

• • 1 tsp dried oregano

• • 1 tsp dried thyme

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • A pinch of chilli flakes for heat (optional)

Simply mix all the ingredients together until smooth and creamy. This will give you a tangy, herby sauce with a bit of garlic kick, similar to the Nando’s version. You can use it in the same way—as a dressing for the pulled chicken and in the slaw.

Creating the Perfect Slaw

The slaw in this sandwich really elevates the whole thing. I wanted something that would add crunch and freshness to balance the savoury, rich elements. Lime and red cabbage are a fantastic pairing; the acidity of the lime juice softens the cabbage slightly while still leaving it crisp. I also added shredded carrot and shallots for extra texture and flavour. The parsley gives it a nice herby note that ties in with the chicken rub.

To keep everything cohesive, I mixed the slaw with a bit of the Nando’s Perinaise (or the homemade version), which adds a creamy element without weighing it down. It’s tangy, fresh, and slightly sweet, which works perfectly against the richness of the chicken and cheese.

The Cheese: Balancing Mild and Spicy

I’m a big fan of layering different flavours of cheese in a sandwich. For this recipe, I used a combination of regular cheddar and spicy cheddar. The cheddar melts beautifully, providing that familiar, comforting flavour we all love, while the spicy cheddar brings a bit more depth and warmth. If you can’t find spicy cheddar, you could always use pepper jack, or add a dash of cayenne to regular cheddar before grilling.

Melting the cheese is crucial for this sandwich. Once you’ve got your cheese and bread ready, grill it until the cheese is just bubbling. It should be gooey enough to pull the sandwich together and provide a satisfying richness that works with the zesty chicken and slaw.

Bringing It All Together

To assemble the sandwich, I started with the grilled bread and cheese. Then, I added a generous layer of the pulled chicken. I like to spread it out evenly so you get some chicken in every bite. After the chicken, I layered on the sliced pickles. The pickles give the sandwich a sharp, tangy crunch that cuts through the richness of the cheese and chicken. Finally, I topped everything off with the lime and red cabbage slaw, which adds that bright, fresh element I love in a sandwich.

It’s the kind of sandwich that’s hearty enough to keep you full but not too heavy, thanks to the fresh, zesty flavours.

Variations You Can Try

You can tweak this sandwich in several ways to suit your taste or what you have in the fridge. Here are a few ideas:

1. 1. Swap the Chicken: If you don’t have chicken breasts on hand, chicken thighs would work well, too. They’re slightly juicier and have a bit more flavour. You could even try shredded rotisserie chicken to save time.

1. 1. Try Different Cheeses: While I used cheddar and spicy cheddar, you could experiment with mozzarella for a milder flavour, or go for something like gouda or fontina for a nuttier taste.

1. 1. Add More Heat: If you love spicy food, you can increase the heat by adding extra jalapeños, a drizzle of hot sauce, or even some crushed red pepper flakes into the pulled chicken.

Final Thoughts

This sandwich has quickly become one of my favourites to make. The combination of the zesty pulled chicken, tangy slaw, sharp pickles, and melted cheese is incredibly satisfying. It’s packed with flavour and texture, and the balance of freshness and richness makes it stand out.

If you don’t have access to Nando’s products, don’t worry—the homemade lemon & herb sauce I mentioned will get you really close to the original. This is definitely one to try if you’re looking for something a little different for your next sandwich night.

Give it a go, and let me know what you think!

Why You’ll Love This Sandwich

1. 1. Bold, Zesty Flavours: The combination of Nando’s lemon and herb rub with jalapeños gives the pulled chicken a tangy and spicy kick that pairs perfectly with the fresh, zesty slaw.

1. 1. Texture Contrast: The crisp pickles and crunchy red cabbage slaw balance out the melt-in-your-mouth pulled chicken and gooey grilled cheddar.

1. 1. Homemade Perfection: With everything made fresh from scratch—from the marinated chicken to the lime-infused slaw—this sandwich delivers homemade goodness in every bite.