This Spicy Chicken Panini recipe is a great dinner or lunch idea when you are running short on time. The gourmet sandwich can be made using leftovers from a previous dinner.
A few months ago we bought a panini press. Now sometimes when we buy an appliance or item, the novelty of it wears off with in a month or so, and then we wonder why we ever needed it.
We used the Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler to make this Cheesy Beef Panini, and a few other sandwiches in the first week. And I am happy to report the sandwich maker is still going strong. Our oldest son loves using this little machine. I love that the plates can come off and are easily washed. It's a win win for everyone.
The other day we had some leftover grilled chicken breasts, so I pulled out the panini press and looked through our fridge to see what else we had for sandwiches.
There was some spicy cheese in the deli drawer, some tomatoes in the crisper, and a bowl of Spicy Guacamole leftover from taco night too. Why not put it all in one crispy sandwich for a quick and easy lunch?
Butter your bread and put the chicken pieces and cheese inside first. I wanted my tomatoes and guacamole to stay cold, so I waited to put those on after the cheese melted.
Talk about gourmet grilled cheese! This easy sandwich had a slight kick from the cheese and guacamole. You could easily alter this sandwich to fit your taste. Use your favorite cheese and meat to change it up.
Now I just need to buy the waffle iron plates that are available for the griddler. Then we can use this appliance for breakfast too...or cookies. I see waffle cookies in my future 🙂
Recipe
Spicy Chicken Panini
Spicy cheese and guacamole make this chicken grilled cheese a gourmet sandwich to enjoy for dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced
- 4 slices pepper jack cheese
- 8 tomato slices
- ½ cup guacamole
Instructions
- Spread the butter on one side of each slice of bread.
- Place 2 slices of bread butter side down on a hot panini press. Top each slice with one sliced chicken breast and 2 slices of cheese. Place the extra 2 pieces of bread on top, butter side up. Close panini and heat for a few minutes or until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
- Remove from the panini press. Open each sandwich and top with tomato slices and guacamole.
- Cut each sandwich in half. Serves 2.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 863Total Fat: 45gSaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 284mgSodium: 1306mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 6gSugar: 6gProtein: 78g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
A few more easy chicken recipes you may like:
Sharlynn Ng
YUMMY! I totally want a sandwich press for crispy sandwiches!!! Love the filling, creamy, tasty and chunky! Love it!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Sharlynn! 🙂
Chels+R.
I lurve panini's so much!!!!
Cécile
Looks like I'll be trying this out next time I need a quick dinner idea!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yay! You will love this, Cecile! 🙂
Heather+@+Shards+of+Lavender
Jocelyn, Amazon seems to have a 5-in-1 that offers the option to purchase waffle plates:
http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-GR-4N-5-in-1-Griddler/dp/B002YD99Y4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407463676&sr=8-1&keywords=cuisinart+griddler
Is this similar to yours? My kids are older too and love making grilled sandwiches, so this looks perfect. Our current waffle iron is a Walmart special and it's so gunky because it's impossible to clean. I'd love an excuse to throw it out! My birthday's in less than a month too...
Jocelyn Brubaker
That's the exact one we have...apparently it has more features that I don't realize 🙂 LOl! I love that I can remove the plates and wash them...makes it so much easier!!!
Heather+@+Shards+of+Lavender
That's funny! Maybe we'll see more recipes using it soon now that you k now all 5 of it's functions:) Thanks!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Hi, Heather. I was trying to email you back about the amazon affiliate and somehow I deleted the message instead of replying...I'm so sorry!
Heather
I'll email you again:) Thanks for letting me know!
Heather+@+Shards+of+Lavender
I've been wanting a Panini press for some time now and wondered if it would really be worth the investment. Would you mind sharing which one you purchased? This sandwich looks delish!
Jocelyn Brubaker
For our family it has been totally worth the investment. Our kids are old enough to use it by themselves too. But even if it was just my husband and I, we would still buy it. It's great for so many things. We bought the Cuisinart Griddler...it can be used as a panini press, waffle iron, and griddle. The 3 in one feature is what totally sold me on it 🙂
Des @ Life's Ambrosia
Oooh I love this! Especially the spicy guacamole. Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Des! 🙂
Alexis+@+Upside+Down+Pear
This sounds delicious and perfect for lunch! I would add the tomatoes into the panini press to warm them up! This makes me want a panini press...I love warm sandwiches 🙂
Michelle @My California Kitchen
Guacamole and pepper jack cheese! Perfect!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Michelle! 🙂
Alyssa+{Cake,+Crust,+and+Sugar+Dust}
I love paninis! And the flavors happening in your spicy chicken panini are making my mouth water! Can't wait to try this one out for dinner sometime!
Aubrey+@+Tackling+Life
This looks so tasty! Probably would be good with some bacon too!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Great idea! 😉 Thanks Aubrey!
julia
I love making paninis and also love spice--the pepper jack takes this to another level! Love it!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Julia! 🙂
Martha @ A Family Feast
This sandwich is exactly what my husband would choose to eat everyday if he could...especially with the pepper jack cheese added!
Aimee@ShugarySweets
This is totally my kind of sandwich. Love the guac falling out 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Aimee! 😉
Kelly @ Mostly Homemade Mom
Jocelyn, I had no idea they made panini presses with removable plates for a waffle iron! I may need to put that on my Christmas list... 😉 This sandwich looks wonderful!
Lisa+@+Garnish+with+Lemon
We use our panini press all of the time! Nothing better than gooey cheese on a sandwich! Pinned.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks for the pin Lisa! 🙂
Ashton
Panini Presses are possibly one of my favorite kitchen tools of all time!! Although I will admit to ours being shamefully neglected in favor of the waffle plates 😉
This sandwich looks incredible! I can’t resist anything with guacamole!!!
Serene+@+House+of+Yumm
Yum! I want this for my lunch..and possibly again for dinner! I love paninis, and using leftovers..genius!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Serene! 😉
Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish
I love all sandwiches with guac on them!!! YUM.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
Oh girl I want this for lunch! Looks so fantastic!!
Johlene
I great idea that I can use for lunch cause sometimes I just plain run out of inspiration..... Looks really yummy!! xoxo
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Johlene! 🙂