If there’s one thing South Africans take seriously (besides braai etiquette and rugby), it’s a proper toasted chicken and mayo sandwich. Not the dry, sad little sarmie you get at the office canteen — no, no, no — we’re talking about the creamy, crunchy, tangy, melty masterpiece that makes you feel like life is actually okay.
This is the kind of toasted sarmie that cures bad moods, fills hungry tweens, rescues hangovers, and turns you into the office hero when you rock up with extras. Let’s be honest — we all know the one person who “just wants a bite” and suddenly eats half your sandwich.
But fear not… here’s the recipe that’ll make even your mother-in-law say, “Sjoe, dis lekker!”
🐔 The Filling — Creamy, Tangy, and 100% Lekker
This filling is smoother than a Joburg oke wearing sunglasses indoors.
You start with shredded chicken — properly cooked, not that rubbery nonsense — and drown it (lovingly) in tangy mayo. Not just any mayo, bru… Crosse & Blackwell Tangy, the undefeated champion of South African lunches.
Then you throw in the goodies:
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Finely chopped gherkins (for that crunch-crunch vibe)
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Spring onion or red onion (depending on how dramatic you are)
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Fresh chopped parsley (optional but makes you look like you know what you’re doing)
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And if you want to flex? A dash of chutney or Kasi-flavoured sauce — because why not?
Mix it together like you’re auditioning for MasterChef SA. Taste it. Adjust it. Taste again… just because.
🍞 Bread Buttering — The Golden Rule
If you don’t butter the outside of the bread, you’re basically committing treason.
Butter = crisp. Crisp = happiness. End of story.
🧀 Cheese or No Cheese?
Listen, purists will argue. Dieticians will cry.
But we all know the truth: cheese belongs everywhere.
Cheddar or mozzarella — choose your fighter.
Layer it on. Melted cheese running down the sides? That’s the sign of a blessed sandwich.
🔥 Toast That Baby Until It's Golden Brown and Proudly South African
Pan, griddle, toasted sandwich maker — whatever you use, just make sure both sides come out looking like a proper Cape Town tan:
Golden. Glowing. No pale patches.
Don’t rush — patience, my child. Let the cheese melt, let the filling warm up, let life make sense again.
✂️ Slice, Serve, and Defend With Your Life
Let it rest for a minute — otherwise you’ll burn your tongue and ruin the experience.
Slice diagonally (if you’re a normal human) or straight (if you live dangerously).
Then eat. Enjoy.
And for the love of everything sacred, don’t make eye contact with anyone, or you’ll be forced to share.
✅ In Conclusion: This Sarmie Slaps
It’s creamy. It’s crunchy. It’s warm. It’s nostalgic. It’s cheap to make.
And it hits harder than a wave at Muizenberg.
Make it once and thank us later.
Make it twice and your whole family will suddenly love you more.
Make it three times… and you’ll never see leftovers again.