Sesame Chicken Schnitzel With Crispy Chilli Butter And Fries

Preheat the oven to 220°C/ 200°C (fan)/ gas 7, take your chicken out of the fridge, open the packet and let it air

Take 1 tbsp per person of butter out of the fridge and set aside to soften

Cut your potatoes (skins on) into chips and add them to a baking tray (or two!) with a drizzle of vegetable oil and a pinch of salt and pepper, give everything a good mix up and put the tray[s] in the oven for 25-30 min or until golden and crisp – these are your fries

Meanwhile, peel and finely dice your shallot[s]

Peel and finely chop (or grate) your garlic

Slice your spring onion[s] finely

Heat a small pot with 2 tbsp [3 tbsp] [4 tbsp] vegetable oil over a medium heat

Once hot, add the chopped garlic and diced shallot and cook for 4-5 min, stirring often, or until the shallot and garlic have started to brown, once browned, add half your toasted sesame seeds (you'll use the rest later!), your soy sauce, chilli flakes (can't handle the heat? Go easy!) and a pinch of sugar

Cook for 1 min further, then remove from the heat and set aside – this is your crispy chilli oil

Add your chicken to a clean chopping board

Cover with cling film and bash with a rolling pin until flattened to approx. 1cm thickness – this is your flattened chicken

Combine your panko breadcrumbs with your ground paprika, remaining toasted sesame seeds, black sesame seeds and a generous pinch of salt on a plate – this is your sesame crumb

Drizzle the flattened chicken with a little vegetable oil, then press into the sesame crumb firmly to evenly coat all over – this is your breaded chicken

Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with a very generous drizzle of vegetable oil (enough to cover the base of the pan) over a medium-high heat

Once hot, add the breaded chicken and cook for 5-6 min on each side or until golden and cooked through (no pink meat!) – this is your sesame chicken schnitzel

Whilst the chicken is cooking, bash your cucumber with a rolling pin and chop into large, bite-sized pieces – this is your smashed cucumber

Add your softened butter to the crispy chilli oil and cook over a low heat for 1-2 min or until the butter has melted – this is your crispy chilli oil butter