Description

This Honey Pepper Chicken Panini is a bold, sweet, and savory sandwich that combines tender honey-glazed chicken, melted mozzarella or provolone cheese, and fresh greens, all pressed between crispy buttery sourdough or ciabatta bread. Perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner, this panini offers a delightful balance of flavors with a touch of caramelized honey and cracked black pepper.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 8 oz each)
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt, to taste

Bread & Cheese

4 slices of sourdough or ciabatta bread
4 slices of mozzarella or provolone cheese
Butter, for toasting the bread

Optional Fillings

½ cup arugula or baby spinach
½ small red onion, thinly sliced

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Instructions

Pound and Season Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking. Season both sides with salt and cracked black pepper for flavor.
Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. In the final minute of cooking, brush the chicken with honey to create a caramelized glaze.
Prepare Bread and Assemble Panini: Butter the outside of each bread slice. On the unbuttered side, layer a slice of cheese, then the honey pepper chicken (sliced if preferred), optionally add thinly sliced red onions and fresh arugula or baby spinach, and top with another slice of cheese. Close the sandwich with the second slice of bread, buttered side facing out.
Grill the Panini: Place the sandwich in a preheated panini press or a hot skillet. Press down and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until the bread is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted.
Serve: Remove from heat, slice the sandwich diagonally, and serve hot for maximum enjoyment.

Notes

Optionally slice the cooked chicken before layering for easier eating.
You can substitute mozzarella or provolone cheese with your favorite melting cheese.
Adjust the amount of honey and cracked black pepper to suit your taste preference.
If you don’t have a panini press, use a heavy skillet or a grill pan and press the sandwich with another pan or heavy object.
Adding arugula or spinach gives a fresh, slightly peppery contrast but can be omitted if preferred.