The Southwestern from Blimpie features spicy grilled chicken, melted cheddar cheese, fresh lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and zesty chipotle mayo, all layered inside a toasted sub roll, delivering a bold and flavorful sandwich with a perfect blend of smoky and fresh ingredients.
Equipments
- Grill or Griddle
- Sandwich Press or Toaster Oven
- Chef’s Knife
- Cutting Board
- Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
- Squeeze Bottle (for mayo)
- Serving Tongs
- Sub Roll/Sandwich Bread Knife
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 sub rolls
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- 2 ripe tomatoes
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
When preparing the Southwestern from Blimpie, choose fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts to ensure tender and juicy meat after grilling. Use chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and garlic powder for the authentic smoky and spicy flavor profile. Ripe tomatoes and freshly shredded lettuce are key to achieving the bright and fresh contrast that balances the boldness of the chipotle mayo. Make sure to lightly toast the sub rolls to provide a satisfying crunch that complements the melted cheddar cheese. Your copycat Southwestern from Blimpie sandwich will capture the perfect harmony of smoky, spicy, and fresh ingredients for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Instructions
- Instructions:
- Preheat grill or griddle.
- In mixing bowl, combine chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and olive oil.
- Coat chicken breasts evenly with spice mixture.
- Grill chicken breasts until cooked through; set aside to rest.
- While chicken cooks, mix mayonnaise and chipotle peppers in a bowl; transfer to squeeze bottle.
- Slice tomatoes and shred lettuce.
- Slice and toast sub rolls using sandwich press or toaster oven.
- Slice grilled chicken into strips.
- Layer chicken evenly on each toasted roll.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over chicken.
- Melt cheese by placing open-faced sandwiches under sandwich press or toaster oven briefly.
- Add shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes on top of melted cheese.
- Drizzle chipotle mayo over vegetables using squeeze bottle.
- Close the sub rolls.
- Slice sandwiches as desired and serve with tongs.
Substitution
The Southwestern from Blimpie copycat menu can be easily customized by substituting grilled chicken with turkey breast or even a plant-based protein for a vegetarian option. If you don't have chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, you can use a mixture of smoked paprika and hot sauce to mimic the smoky heat in the mayo. When fresh tomatoes aren't available, sun-dried tomatoes offer a concentrated burst of flavor that complements the other ingredients. Toasting the sub roll on a sandwich press enhances texture and ensures the cheese melts evenly, but a toaster oven or skillet will work just as well. Your preparation will benefit from using a squeeze bottle for the chipotle mayo to control the spread and avoid soggy bread.
Tips
Ensure your grill or griddle is properly preheated to achieve a perfect sear on the chicken, locking in juices for moist and flavorful meat. Use a sharp chef's knife to slice the chicken breasts into even strips, promoting uniform cooking and presentation. Toasting the sub rolls just right prevents sogginess from the mayo and juicy vegetables, maintaining a pleasant sandwich texture. When drizzling chipotle mayo from the squeeze bottle, apply evenly to enhance the spicy, smoky flavor without overpowering your sandwich.
Nutritions
The Southwestern sandwich provides a rich source of lean protein from the grilled chicken breast, supplying essential amino acids for muscle repair and growth. Cheddar cheese contributes calcium and vitamin D, supporting bone health, while fresh lettuce and ripe tomatoes add fiber, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants that promote immune function and digestion. The chipotle mayo adds a flavorful punch with healthy fats from mayonnaise and a slight kick from chipotle peppers that contain metabolism-boosting capsaicin. Your meal combines balanced macronutrients and micronutrients, making it satisfying and nutritionally dense.
Storage
Store your Southwestern sandwich in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain the freshness of the chicken, vegetables, and chipotle mayo. Keep it for up to 2 days to ensure optimal flavor and prevent sogginess of the sub roll. For best enjoyment, reheat the sandwich briefly in a toaster oven or sandwich press before serving to melt the cheddar cheese evenly.
Variation or Alternatives
You can swap the boneless chicken breast for thinly sliced turkey breast or grilled portobello mushrooms to cater to different dietary preferences. For a creamier texture in your chipotle mayo, blend in a bit of sour cream or Greek yogurt. Try adding sliced avocado or pickled jalapenos for an extra layer of flavor and a hint of tang. Toasting the sub roll slightly longer enhances its crunch and helps prevent sogginess from the mayo and vegetables.
Allergies
You should be cautious if you have allergies to dairy, as this sandwich contains cheddar cheese, or to eggs, since mayonnaise is used in the chipotle mayo sauce. The chicken seasoned with chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin might trigger reactions in individuals sensitive to spices. Additionally, wheat allergies or gluten intolerance are a concern due to the toasted sub rolls.
Why this recipe?
Blimpie's Southwestern menu is popular for its bold flavors combining smoky chipotle, zesty lime, and fresh cilantro, delivering a unique twist on classic sandwiches and wraps. The fresh ingredients and well-balanced spices create satisfying, flavorful meals that appeal to fans of both spicy and savory dishes. Attempting a copycat recipe allows you to customize the level of heat and ingredient quality in Your own kitchen, making it a rewarding culinary challenge. Replicating these dishes offers an authentic taste experience while saving on restaurant costs.