Fig and Chicken Baguette Sandwich Recipe

Chicken, fig and goat cheese salad baguette on a plate next to a straw hat.

5 from 4 votes

Fig and Chicken Baguette Sandwich Recipe

An easy to make picnic sandwich with fresh figs, chicken and matured cheese that will make an impression and always arrive looking fresh.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Lunch, Picnic Food

Cuisine: American, lunch

Servings: Servings

Calories: 870kcal

Author: Kate O'Malley

Ingredients

1 crusty baguette 2 small or 1 large
1 Sliced cooked chicken breast see notes about alternatives
3-4 large fresh figs sliced - not too thin see notes for alternatives
½ cup Baby spinach leaves
6-8 slices Manchego cheese or cured goats cheese Cabra Curado
Butter optional

Instructions

Cut the baguette longways
Place the baby spinach leaves along the bottom half then layer with the slices of chicken, figs and cheese alternating them down the length of the sandwich. If using a fig spread, lather this along the underside of the top half of the baguette.
Close the sandwich and wrap
If making one large baguette, wrap it in paper in sections tied with a string and cut into portions. If making two small baguettes, wrap them tightly in paper and tie them with a string or eco-reusable sandwich wrap.

Notes

Sandwich Variations

Figs: If you don't have fresh figs, use a quality fig chutney or fig spread instead.
Chicken: This recipe calls for sliced chicken breast. Of course, you can use roast chicken meat. In this recipe, I used smoked chicken breast, which is easy to make, and the smoky flavor goes beautifully with the sweetness of the figs.
Cheese: I use Manchego cheese for this recipe, but you can use other cheese varieties. I recommend sticking with a slightly salty cured cheese similar to a manchego to compliment the figs and chicken, such as a mild, cured goat cheese.

How to Smoke the Chicken Breast

I use a small smoking box with wood chips in our gas grill to cook the chicken at low heat. A medium-sized breast will take under an hour to cook, smoking at a very low temperature. Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature is 165˚F (74˚C). Be sure to follow safe cooking guidelines for chicken to avoid contamination or bacteria from undercooked meat.

Tips

Making the sandwich ahead of time: Wrap it tightly in parchment paper or cling film and store it in the refrigerator. As per my tips for avoiding soggy sandwiches, baguettes will hold up quite well if made in advance, but it's still best not to make them too far in advance to maintain freshness and texture.
Best side dishes to accompany this sandwich: A fresh salad or crunchy coleslaw, light potato chips, or a fruit salad would complement the flavors of the sandwich well. For a heartier meal, consider a light chicken soup.
Drink pairing for this sandwich: For this sandwich, I always turn to a light, crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a Prosecco. A fruity rosé also pairs well with the flavors of the sandwich. For a non-alcoholic option, consider iced tea or homemade lemonade.

Nutrition