Description
This quick and delicious BBQ Chicken Panini combines smoky grilled chicken marinated in barbecue sauce, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and fresh veggies, all pressed between slices of ciabatta bread for a warm, melty sandwich perfect for a satisfying lunch or light dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Sandwich Ingredients
- 2 slices Ciabatta bread, or your favorite good quality bread
- 1-2 grilled chicken breasts, thinly sliced (marinated in barbecue sauce before grilling)
- 1-2 cooked bacon slices
- 1-2 slices sharp cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- Romaine lettuce leaves
- Barbecue sauce, as desired
- Butter spray or cooking spray, for bread
Instructions
- Preheat Panini Press or Skillet: Start by preheating your panini press to 400°F, or heat a large skillet over medium-high heat to get it ready for grilling the sandwich.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Place one slice of ciabatta bread on a clean surface and layer thinly sliced grilled chicken over it. Drizzle your desired amount of barbecue sauce over the chicken for a smoky, sweet flavor. Add cooked bacon slices and top with slices of sharp cheddar cheese. Then place the second slice of bread on top. Spray both sides of the bread lightly with butter or cooking spray to ensure a golden, crisp crust.
- Grill the Panini: Place the assembled sandwich onto your preheated panini press. Grill until the cheese has melted and the bread turns golden and crispy, about 3 minutes. If using a skillet, place the sandwich on the hot skillet and press down gently with a spatula. Cook each side for about 2-3 minutes or until the cheese melts and the bread is toasted to your liking.
- Add Fresh Veggies and Serve: Carefully remove the panini from the grill or skillet. Open the sandwich and add fresh romaine lettuce, sliced tomato, and thinly sliced red onion for a fresh crunch and brightness. Close the sandwich and enjoy your warm, smoky BBQ Chicken Panini!
Notes
- Marinate the grilled chicken in barbecue sauce for at least 30 minutes before grilling to infuse smoky flavor.
- Use a panini press for the easiest and quickest melty sandwich, or a skillet if you don’t have one.
- Adjust the amount of barbecue sauce and cheese to your taste preference.
- For a crispier sandwich, spray the bread with butter or oil spray before grilling.
- Can be made ahead by assembling and keeping in the fridge, then grilled before serving.
