Key West Chicken And Shrimp Cheddars is a Cuban-style sandwich that consists of grilled chicken, shrimp, and cream cheese rolled in garlic butter, dusted with ground cumin and paprika, then baked until golden brown.
It is served on a warm pita pocket with a side of pickled vegetables. This dish originated in Key West as “chicken and shrimp sandwiches” before becoming known as cheddars.
How To Make Key West Chicken And Shrimp Cheddars?
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breasts
- 1 lb large shrimp
- 1/4 cup dill pickle juice (or 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice)
- 12-15 slices of sourdough bread
- 1 cup mayonnaise-based salad dressing (French’s is the preferable brand)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp tarragon or dill weed, fresh only (omit if using dried)
- 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
Making Procedure
Step 1: Slice the chicken first in half, then slice each of them into 1/4 inch thick strips. Then cut each of the shrimp into halves lengthwise.
Step 2: In a large bowl, add the sliced chicken and shrimp together with the dill pickle juice and let it marinate for 3 minutes. Stir every 30 seconds to ensure that both sides are evenly coated with dill pickle juice.
Step 3: Drain the bowl’s excess liquid (dill pickle juice).
Step 4: Place a piece of flour paper on a flat surface and press the chicken and shrimp pieces down to ensure that the bread slices are fried evenly.
Step 5: On the bread slices, spread both sides with mayonnaise-based salad dressing using a pastry brush. Then add half of the chicken and shrimp mixture to each piece. Roll up each of them tightly. Secure them with toothpicks.
Step 6: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
Step 7: When the butter is hot, add the rolled-up chicken and shrimp cheddars and grill them for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until it becomes golden brown.
Please remove it from the skillet and pour in 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice over it to prevent discoloration. Let it stand for about 5 minutes.
Step 8: Cut the chicken and shrimp cheddars in half.
Step 9: Spread some tarragon or dill weed, fresh only (omit if using dried) on each before serving. It will impart a mild herby aroma to the sandwiches. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
Nutrition Fact
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 287 |
| Protein | 22.9g |
| Carbohydrate | 17g |
| Cholesterol | 68mg |
| Saturated Fat | 5.6g |
| Total Fat | 25.9g |
| Sodium | 564mg |
| Fiber | 2.4g |
| Sugar | 2.5g |
6 Interesting Serving Ideas of Key West Chicken And Shrimp Cheddars
1. Chicken And Shrimp Cheddars with Rice
Add a serving of rice with the sandwich. It is a great way to fill up your stomach and save you from snacking on something else while working.
2. Chicken And Shrimp Cheddars with Salad
Perfect for people who want to stay away from starchy carbs. But at the same time, they want something to fill up their stomachs until their next meal arrives.
3. Chicken And Shrimp Cheddars in a Crock-Pot
Add 1/2 lb of chicken and 1 lb of shrimp to your crock-pot. Add some dill pickle juice, mayonnaise-based salad dressing, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cover it up with a lid and let it simmer till it is cooked. Then add the cheddar cheese on top when serving.
4. Special Chicken and Shrimp Cheddars
This is a great way to make the shrimp and chicken cheddar taste better. Just cut up the chicken and shrimp into smaller pieces. Add some rosemary, garlic, cayenne pepper, salt & pepper to taste, and olive oil to the mixture while mixing it.
Then roll it in a flour paper or potato chip wrapper. You can also spread butter over both sides of the bread slices if you prefer that.
5. Chicken And Shrimp Cheddars with Fruit
Instead of mayonnaise-based salad dressing, replace it with low-fat honey mustard or 1000 island dressing. Cook the sandwich just like the other sandwiches.
And serve it up with sliced banana leaves on top. It will give your sandwich more texture and flavor.
6. Chicken And Shrimp Cheddars with Vegetables
Add a serving of vegetables with the sandwich. It gives you something to nibble on while you are working. It will also add more nutrition to your diet and make it healthier in general.
Some Health Benefits of Key West Chicken And Shrimp Cheddars
1. Low In Fat
It’s a relatively low-fat food compared to non-low fat ones. The mayonnaise-based salad dressing replaces the excess of fat.
2. High In Protein
The serving of chicken and shrimp supplies more than half your recommended daily amount of protein – about twice as much as the usual sandwich, which has only about one-sixth.
3. Very Good Source Of Fiber
It’s a very good fiber-rich food. It also helps to lower cholesterol in your body by improving the movement of bile that can lead to the formation of plaque in your arteries.
4. Very Low In Cholesterol
It lowers the total level of cholesterol in your body compared to other sandwiches.
5. Low In Sodium
It’s relatively low in sodium. This is good for those suffering from high blood pressure, as the sodium content in your food has a great influence on your blood pressure.
Have Any Side Effects Of Key West Chicken And Shrimp Cheddars?
The ingredients used in the preparation of cheddars are not harmful to your health. It is made from simple ingredients, so you don’t worry about side effects.
Avoid consuming cheddars if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes. It may raise your blood pressure level due to the sodium content and increase your risk for heart disease and diabetes.
Is It Safe For Pregnant Woman?
This is safe for pregnant women as long as you don’t eat too much of it. Limit the serving to just one or two every week, and you won’t have to worry about any negative effects on your unborn baby.
Can Kids Eat Key West Chicken And Shrimp Cheddars?
It is okay for kids to consume this dish if you don’t make them too small. But be careful about the serving size as well.
Don’t allow kids to eat any more than a few crackers and pieces of cheddar cheese, as it can have ill effects on their growth.
How To Store Key West Chicken And Shrimp Cheddars?
You can store cheddars in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. You can store it for 5 days or longer. If you freeze them, you can use them for 6 months or more.
Conclusion
Key West Chicken and Shrimp Cheddars are very good sandwiches for anyone. It is loaded with protein and fiber-rich food that is great for your health and good for your diet.
Try this out, and you’ll love it the first time you make it. So here is a recipe of Key West Chicken And Shrimp Cheddars that is simple, easy to make, and awesome.
