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4.75 from 32 votes

Chipotle Chicken Panini Sandwich (Panera Bread Copycat)

Chipotle Chicken Panini, the ever loved fan favorite with cheddar, bacon, and smoky chipotle aioli, may not be served at Panera anymore but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the beloved sandwich at home!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Sandwiches
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2 sandwiches
Calories: 605kcal
Author: Eden Westbrook

Ingredients

Chipotle Mayo Sauce

  • 1 egg yolk
  • ¼ cup neutral-flavored oil vegetable oil, etc.
  • 2 teaspoon lime juice
  • 1 chipotle in adobo sauce
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper

Chipotle Chicken Panini

  • 4 slices thick cut bacon
  • 1 chicken breast sliced in half horizontally
  • Softened butter
  • 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 beefsteak tomato sliced in ¼ inch slices
  • 4 slices French or Italian bread ½ inch thick

Instructions

Make the Chipotle Mayo Sauce

  • In a small bowl, add all the ingredients to the chipotle mayo. Use an immersion blender to blend all the ingredients together until the mayo is thickened and smooth.
    1 egg yolk, ¼ cup neutral-flavored oil, 2 teaspoon lime juice, 1 chipotle in adobo sauce, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper

Make the Chipotle Chicken Panini

  • In a cast iron skillet or frying pan, cook bacon to desired crispness. Reserve the fat, if desired. Set the bacon on a wire rack or paper lined plate to drain.
    4 slices thick cut bacon
  • Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. In the cast iron skillet or frying pan, heat a tablespoon of high-heat oil over medium high heat. Cook chicken breasts, 3 minutes on both sides, or until chicken is cooked through. Set aside on a plate to rest for 3-5 minutes. Slice the cooked chicken breasts to prep for the sandwiches.
    1 chicken breast
  • Preheat your panini press to medium high heat. Spread softened butter or residual bacon fat over one side of each piece of bread, then spread a spoonful of chipotle aioli over the other side of the slices of bread. Stack bacon, chicken, tomato, cheese, and on the aioli side of 4 slices of bread, then top with the other slice.
    Softened butter, 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese, 1 beefsteak tomato, 4 slices French or Italian bread
  • Press in panini press for 5 minutes, until cheese is melted and bread is well toasted.
  • Cut the sandwiches in half and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 605kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 1270mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g