Grilled Chicken Panini Recipe

Craving a warm, crispy sandwich that’s packed with juicy grilled chicken, melty cheese, and bold flavors? Look no further than this Grilled Chicken Panini — a café-style classic that’s simple to make at home and better than takeout!

Whether you’re meal prepping or whipping up a quick lunch, this Italian-inspired pressed sandwich brings together the perfect balance of textures and taste. All you need is a panini press (or a grill pan), some pantry staples, and 20 minutes!

🕐 Prep & Cook Time

1. Prep Time: 10 minutes
2. Cook Time: 10 minutes
3. Total Time: 20 minutes
4. Servings: 2 sandwiches

🛒 Ingredients

🐔 For the Grilled Chicken:

1. 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (halved lengthwise)
2. 1 tbsp olive oil
3. ½ tsp garlic powder
4. ½ tsp paprika
5. ¼ tsp black pepper
6. Salt to taste
7. Juice of ½ lemon

🥪 For the Sandwich:

1. 4 slices ciabatta or sourdough bread
2. 2–3 slices of mozzarella or provolone cheese
3. 2 tbsp pesto sauce or mayonnaise
4. ½ tomato, thinly sliced
5. A few fresh spinach or arugula leaves
6. Butter or olive oil (for grilling)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

🔹 Step 1: Marinate & Grill the Chicken

1. In a bowl, mix chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
2. Grill the chicken on a hot pan or grill for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
3. Slice into thin strips once slightly cooled.

🧠 Tip: You can use leftover grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken to save time.

🔹 Step 2: Assemble the Panini

1. Spread pesto or mayo on one side of each bread slice.
2. Layer one slice with:
3. Sliced grilled chicken
4. Cheese
5. Tomato slices
6. Spinach or arugula
7. Top with the second slice, pesto side down.

🔹 Step 3: Grill the Panini

1. Brush the outer sides of the sandwich with butter or olive oil.
2. Place in a panini press or grill pan.
3. Press down and cook for 3–5 minutes, or until bread is golden and cheese has melted.

✅ No panini press? Use a cast iron skillet and place a heavy pan on top to press.

🔹 Step 4: Serve Hot!

Slice diagonally and serve with:

1. Potato wedges
2. Tomato soup
3. Green salad
4. Or just enjoy on its own!

🔄 Variations

🗂️ Recipe Metadata

1. Category: Lunch, Sandwiches, Quick Meals
2. Cuisine: Italian-American, Continental
3. Dietary Tags: High Protein, Nut-Free
4. Difficulty: Easy
5. Prep Method: Grilled / Pressed Sandwich

💬 Final Thoughts

This Grilled Chicken Panini is all about crisp edges, creamy cheese, and savory chicken — the kind of sandwich you crave from your favorite deli or bistro. And now you can make it easily at home with just a few fresh ingredients.

Serve it hot, with crunchy chips or a salad, and you’ve got the ultimate comfort food with a gourmet twist.

📸 Share Your Sandwich!

Tried this recipe? Tag your grilled masterpiece with #PaniniPerfection or #GrillAndMelt — we’d love to feature it!

📌 Tags

#chickensandwich #paninirecipe #grilledchickenpanini #cafestylelunch #easymeals #sandwichideas #quicklunch #homemadepanini #comfortfood #mealprep