Last Updated on March 27, 2024 by Share My Kitchen
Panera might be the only place a person would eat non-stop. Their soups, salads, breakfast, and even their coffee are amazing! However, today you will only learn about making the Panera Frontega Chicken Panini.
It is a pressed, pulled chicken sandwich with melted mozzarella, tomato, and an irresistible chipotle mayo sandwiched between crusty, ciabatta bread.
What’s In the Panera Frontega Chicken Panini?
Frontega Chicken Panini’s best feature is its fresh and delicious ingredients!
Panini are made up of:
- pulled or sliced chicken
- chipotle mayo
- Roma tomato
- mozzarella
- red onion
- basil
To make this light, melty chicken panini sandwich, combine (and smoosh) all these ingredients in a hot panini press.
How to Make Chipotle Mayo
The creamy chipotle mayo is the star of this Frontega Chicken Panini.
Simply add chipotle to adobo and mayo (or a combination of Greek yogurt and mayo) into your food processor.
This sauce blends seamlessly, and you now have a delicious homemade chipotle mayo sauce that can be used for any of your culinary needs. This sauce would be great for Chicken Sliders, Loaded Burger Bowl, or use it as a dip for veggies!
What Bread to Use for a Panera Frontega Chicken Panini?
Ciabatta is used for this particular panini. This is the perfect sandwich panini bread since it’s what’s found in Panera’s original Frontega Chicken Panini!
Ciabatta bread becomes crisp while staying soft, and it won’t ruin the roof of your mouth.
Sourdough is also another delicious option for panini bread. This bread toasts up in a panini maker wonderfully. You can also buy pre-sliced loaves from the grocery store. These are definitely perfect for making paninis.
However, if you don’t have either of these items, grab an artisan loaf at the deli section in your grocery store. You can also use almost any bread other than plain white bread!
How to Press a Sandwich?
This may sound absurd, but how do you press a panini sandwich? However, there is actually a right way to do it.
- You will first need to grease your press so the ingredients that may fall out from the sandwich won’t stick to the panini press.
- Spray it with cooking spray. This will also make sure that your panini’s exterior becomes crispy.
- Make sure you carefully build your sandwich, then transfer it to the press. Lower the top over the sandwich, and slowly add more pressure.
- If you hear the sizzle, don’t press any further and just wait. This sandwich will take about 3-5 minutes to melt the cheese and all the ingredients are warm through.
Once the sandwich is warm, take it out and immediately wipe the press clean. You will feel very annoyed if you don’t clean the press properly and things get stuck there.
What If I Don’t Have a Panini Press?
There are a few options: you could use a grill to cook the panini on both sides and then mash them down with a spatula.
Or use a nonstick skillet. Place the panini on it and start to heat it. Flip it over, then place a cast-iron skillet on top to press.
Serving and Storing Panera Frontega Chicken Panini
This is a hot sandwich so you will want to eat it right away!
If you have any leftovers or absolutely must store it, however, place it in an airtight container in your fridge. If the bread is left out too long, it can become soggy. To reheat it, simply put it in a toaster oven.
Panera Frontega Chicken Panini Recipe Card
| PREP TIME | 5 to 6 minutes |
| SERVINGS | 4 sandwiches |
Equipment
- panini press
Ingredients
- 4 ciabatta buns
- 12 oz chicken 2 sliced chicken breasts or ½ a shredded rotisserie chicken
- 8 slices of mozzarella cheese
- 2 Roma tomatoes sliced
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 8 oz jar of chili in adobo, diced
- ½ a red onion sliced
Instructions
- Combine the diced chilis in the adobo and mayo in a small bowl. Whisk until everything is properly incorporated.
- Spread some on 1 side of each ciabatta bun.
- Layer the chicken, tomato, basil, red onions, mozzarella, and the other bun.
- Put 2 sandwiches at a time on the panini press. Then, press for approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Lastly, slice and serve!