Description

This Panera Bread Chipotle Chicken Panini Copycat combines smoky grilled chicken, melted cheese, roasted red peppers, and a creamy homemade chipotle sauce pressed between crispy, golden bread. It’s the ultimate café-style sandwich you can make at home for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Serves: 4 hearty sandwiches

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved horizontally (makes 4 thinner cutlets)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 ciabatta rolls or slices of crusty artisan bread
8 slices of cheese (cheddar, gouda, or provolone)
1 cup roasted red peppers, drained and sliced
1 cup fresh spinach leaves

For the Homemade Chipotle Sauce:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced (adjust for spice level)
1 tbsp adobo sauce from the can
1 tsp lime juice
1/2 tsp honey (optional, for balance)

Instructions

Prepare the chicken: In a bowl, mix olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture evenly over chicken cutlets. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
Grill the chicken: Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until fully cooked and lightly charred. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Make the chipotle sauce: In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, minced chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, lime juice, and honey until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Assemble the sandwiches: Slice ciabatta rolls in half. Spread chipotle sauce on both sides. Layer with spinach, grilled chicken slices, roasted red peppers, and cheese slices.
Press the panini: Heat a panini press or skillet over medium heat. Press sandwiches for 3–4 minutes per side until bread is golden and cheese melted.
Serve hot: Slice in half and enjoy immediately.

Notes

Bread choice: Ciabatta works best, but sourdough, focaccia, or multigrain can be used.
Vegetarian option: Replace chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or zucchini.
Make ahead: Assemble unpressed sandwiches up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate.
Storage: Refrigerate wrapped in foil or parchment for up to 3 days; reheat in skillet or press.
Grilling tip: Pound chicken to even thickness and avoid overcooking.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dinner, Sandwich
Method: Grilled, Pressed
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sandwich
Calories: 520
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 980mg
Fat: 27g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: Panera Bread Chipotle Chicken Panini Copycat, Chicken Panini Sandwich, Chipotle Chicken Panini, Panera Copycat Recipes, Dinner Sandwiches, Grilled Chicken Sandwich Recipes