Southwestern Chicken Panini

Savor the bold flavors of the Southwest with this irresistible Southwestern Chicken Panini! Juicy chicken breasts are seasoned with a smoky blend of chili powder, paprika, cumin, and garlic, then grilled to perfection for a touch of charred goodness. Layered with creamy avocado mash infused with lime and fresh cilantro, zesty chipotle mayonnaise, melty pepper jack cheese, and crisp red onion, all nestled between toasted ciabatta rolls, this panini is a feast for your taste buds. Perfectly golden and packed with hearty, spicy-sweet flavors, this sandwich is an ideal weeknight dinner or a standout addition to your lunch rotation. Serve with tortilla chips or a crisp salad for a complete, satisfying meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces chicken breast
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 pieces ciabatta rolls
• 4 slices pepper jack cheese
• 1 piece avocado
• 1 piece lime
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
• 0.5 piece red onion
• 4 tablespoons chipotle mayonnaise

Directions

Step 1

Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness and rub them with olive oil.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Season both sides of the chicken with the spice mixture.

Step 4

Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Set aside and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.

Step 5

While the chicken is cooking, slice the ciabatta rolls in half horizontally. Spread 1 tablespoon of chipotle mayonnaise on each half.

Step 6

Mash the avocado in a bowl with a fork and squeeze in the juice of half a lime. Stir in chopped cilantro and a pinch of salt for extra flavor.

Step 7

Thinly slice the red onion and layer it on the bottom halves of the ciabatta rolls.

Step 8

Add a slice of pepper jack cheese on top of the red onion.

Step 9

Layer the thinly sliced chicken breast evenly across the rolls. Top with the avocado mixture and add the top halves of the ciabatta rolls.

Step 10

Heat a panini press or grill pan over medium heat. If using a grill pan, place a heavy object (like a skillet) on top of the sandwiches to press them down.

Step 11

Cook the paninis for 3-5 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Step 12

Slice each panini in half and serve warm with a side of tortilla chips or a fresh salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1091.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2515.7

Total Fat 139.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 37.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.6g
Cholesterol 346.1mg	0%
Sodium 4672.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 188.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.7g	0%
Total Sugars 9.7g
Protein 128.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1006.4mg	0%
Iron 13.5mg	0%
Potassium 2059.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.7%

Protein: 20.4%

Carbs: 29.9%