Copycat Panera Frontega Chicken Panini is so simple to make at home. Fresh, smokey, cheesy, and crunchy, it's full of mouthwatering flavor!
Step up your sandwich game with a homemade, copycat Panera Frontega Chicken Panini!
Tender focaccia bread is stuffed with pulled chicken, mozzarella cheese, tomato, red onion, fresh basil, and chipotle mayo then pressed until hot and crisp. So simple, SO delish — no restaurant required!
Start by making the chipotle mayo.
To a mini food processor add 1/4 cup low-fat mayo with 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce + 1 or 2 teaspoons sauce, depending on how spicy you want it. If you don’t have a food processor, finely minced the chipotle peppers then stir into the mayonnaise.
Chipotles in adobo freeze really well so don’t fret about not using the entire can. Just pop the remainder in a freezer bag then freeze and snap off a pepper or some of the sauce whenever you need it.
Next shred 2 chicken breasts, cooked any which way you like.
Slice up the fresh ingredients next. We’ve got 1 tomato, 1 small red onion, an 8oz mozzarella cheese ball, and 10-12 fresh basil leaves.
Finally, the bread! Panera uses fresh focaccia and so of course I use my Gluten Free Focaccia for making the panini at home! Bake then cool the loaf, and then slice it in half lengthwise. (Note: these photos show store-bought, non GF bread.)
Slather the top and bottom with some of the chipotle mayo then layer on the cooked/shredded chicken and thin slices of fresh tomato and red onion.
Next layer on mozzarella cheese slices and chopped fresh basil. Pop the lid on top then press in a panini maker, or cook on the stove, grilled cheese-style. I use my Griddler which we just love!
Five minutes later, presto – Frontega Chicken Panini!
Fresh, fast, crispy, cheese, and easy. What more could you want?
Hope you enjoy this delectable sandwich!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce + 1 or 2 teaspoons sauce
- 4 gluten free focaccia buns, or 1 loaf focaccia bread cut into quarters, see notes
- 2 chicken breasts, 12-14oz total, cooked then shredded
- 8 oz mozzarella ball, sliced
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1/2 small red onion, sliced
- 10-12 fresh basil leaves, chopped
Directions
- Add mayonnaise, chipotle pepper, and adobo sauce to a mini food processor bowl then process until smooth. Alternatively, chop the pepper up finely then stir into the mayonnaise.
- Spread chipotle mayo onto tops and bottoms of buns then layer on shredded chicken, tomato, red onion, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. Press in panini press over medium-high heat until cheese is melted and bread is crisp. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Click here for my Gluten Free Focaccia.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
I made this so my Muslim family could try this Panera sandwich and still observe halal restrictions. Even my 7 year old loved it and he hates sandwiches! My kids have already requested it for lunch, and everyone just loved it. I used the original black pepper focaccia from Panera and kewpie mayo. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Oh I love to hear this, Summar!! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Made this tonight. Even sloppier than the original, but delicious anyway.
I find myself coming back to this recipe again and again. It is truly wonderful…
love it!! Best recipe I have found for my favorite sandwich-
Thank you for posting.
Oh I’m so happy to hear that, Lisa!! Thank you so much for your nice comment!
These were amazing! Loved the zippy Mayo! Used sourdough, cuz it’s what I had. Will try the focaccia next time. There will be a next time ????
I loved it, so easy and so delicious ?
So glad to hear it, Luz!
So delicious! My whole family loved. Made with shredded chicken made in instant pot. Thanks!
I am so glad you came up with this recipe. The Frontega Chicken Panini is the only sandwich at Panera I eat. I love it and can’t wait to try this!
I can not find this type bread in my area. Can you name a good substitute. This is my favorite sandwich at Panera
One of my favorite panini. I made it without the original ingredients, basically i used what i had at home. It tasted okay, i will try it with your recommended ingredients when possible. I am sure it will be delightful. Thanks
I made this tonight and it was a hit! Thank you!
Glad to hear it, Kellen!