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Flavorful Chipotle Chicken Panini with Smoked Cheddar

Flavorful Chipotle Chicken Panini - featured image
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A quick and easy panini featuring smoky chipotle-spiced chicken and melty smoked cheddar cheese, perfect for a comforting lunch or casual dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz / 340 g), thinly sliced or pounded to even thickness
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder (smoked chipotle powder preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
  • 4 slices rustic sourdough bread or ciabatta
  • 4 oz (113 g) smoked cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 1 small ripe tomato, thinly sliced
  • Handful of fresh baby spinach or arugula (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Rub the spice mix evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts. Pound chicken to about ½ inch thickness if needed. (Prep time: 10 minutes)
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly. (Cook time: 10 minutes)
  3. Assemble the Panini: Spread mayonnaise evenly on one side of each bread slice. Add Dijon mustard if using. Layer sliced chicken over two bread slices, then top with smoked cheddar, tomato slices, and spinach or arugula if desired. Close sandwiches with remaining bread slices, mayo side down. (Prep time: 5 minutes)
  4. Grill the Panini: Preheat panini press or skillet over medium heat. If using skillet, place sandwich in pan and press down firmly with a weighted pan or foil-wrapped brick. Grill for 3-4 minutes per side until bread is golden and cheese is melted. (Cook time: 6-8 minutes)
  5. Serve: Remove panini from press or skillet. Let rest for a minute, then slice diagonally and serve hot.

Notes

Let chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy. Slice chicken and cheese thinly for even toasting. Apply firm pressure when grilling if using a skillet. Adjust chipotle powder to taste. To avoid soggy bread, lower heat and cover pan if bread browns too fast. For dairy-free or gluten-free options, substitute cheese and bread accordingly.

Nutrition

Keywords: chipotle chicken panini, smoked cheddar panini, easy panini recipe, quick sandwich, smoky chicken sandwich

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/flavorful-chipotle-chicken-panini-recipe-easy-homemade-smoked-cheddar-panini/