A seasoned chicken breast, melted provolone cheese, basil pesto, crushed tomato sauce, and spinach are sandwiched between buttery sourdough bread in this Italian grilled chicken panini sandwich to create the ideal meal, simulating a quick trip to a small Italian sandwich shop.
One of the first things I learned to make as a child was grilled cheese sandwiches, and the idea of the panini, well, that took this childhood classic to new heights. Let me start by saying there aren’t many things on earth that are better than eating buttery toasted bread paired with melted cheese.
There are many different types of panini sandwiches available, but I wanted to make my own version of the Italian Grilled Chicken Panini, which I believe was popularized by an Italian cookbook in the 16th century and caught the attention of American foodies in the middle of the 1970s.
Chicken Panini Sandwich Recipe | Panini Sandwich | Chicken Cheese Sandwich | Toasted
Classic Chicken Panini 🔗
Grilled sandwich dinner ready in just 20 minutes! Serve these classic chicken Panini topped with cheese, onion, tomato and muffins – perfect for Italian cuisine.
Prep: 20min
Total: 20min
Serving Size: 1 Sandwich
Nutrition Facts: calories 360 , Carbohydrate 32 g, Cholesterol 80 mg, Fat 1 , Fiber 5 g, Protein 37 g, Saturated Fat 3 1/2 g, servingSize 1 Sandwich, Sodium 720 mg, Sugar 5 g, Trans Fat 0 g
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (4 oz each)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt-free seasoning blend
- 1/4 cup fat-free mayonnaise or salad dressing
- 2 teaspoons white or flavored vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 whole wheat English muffins, split
- 4 slices (3/4 oz each) fat-free mozzarella cheese product
- 4 thin slices red onion
- 1 plum (Roma) tomato, cut into 8 slices
Instruction:
- Heat closed medium-size contact grill for 5 minutes. Sprinkle chicken with seasoning blend. Place chicken on grill. Close grill; cook 4 to 5 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F).
- Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix mayonnaise, vinegar and garlic powder. Spread on English muffin halves. Place chicken on bottoms of English muffins. Top with cheese, onion, tomato and tops of muffins.
- Place sandwiches on grill. Close grill, pressing to flatten sandwiches; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until sandwiches are toasted.
FAQ
Do you butter the bread before making a panini?
Because panini presses have heat sources on both sides, they cook quickly—a chicken breast that is 1/2 inch thick takes only 4 minutes to cook. We love to use the presses to cook proteins like chicken breasts, skirt or flank steaks, and even bacon.
What is the best bread to make a panini?
Brushing butter or olive oil on the outside of the bread before toasting will help to brown and harden the bread for a delicious bite, which is one of the hallmarks of a great panini and ensure that you get the crunch you crave.
How do you make a homemade panini?
Italian breads like focaccia, ciabatta, and baguettes are typically heartier than, say, sourdough, and they hold up better to grilling, so we recommend using a bread that can take the heat.