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.
Thank you for sharing your lovely photos. Your little baby is too cute!! **) Happy Holidays from Virginia!
looks so delicious recipes, been a great post.
Hi just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t
loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking
issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show
the same results.
Your son is very adorable! When I saw the second picture, he lit me up.
Kristin, I just want you to know how much I enjoy reading Iowa Girl Eats. The content, the photos, the recipes, are all so much appreciated. Thank you. I
I love the Frontega Chicken! Any chance you could supply a copycat recipe for Palmer’s cheeseburger soup? “Soup and sandwiches” would take on a whole new meaning around here!
Can’t wait to try the sandwich. I know my boys will love it!
After seeing this post and that you love your griddler I’ve asked hubby (Santa) for it :-)
OMG! The Frontega Chicken has been my go to since high school! Now I don’t live near a Panera, so I will definitely be utilizing this copycat! Thank you so much. By the way…Lincoln is an adorable little ham!
I can’t believe you didn’t watch the Iowa-Nebraska game on Friday morning! Shopping instead?
love that you recreated this, as it used to be my go-to order at Panera! Can’t wait to make at home :)
Yum, I am making this sandwich tomorrow night!
I’m surprised to learn that Hy-Vee makes it’s own brand of fresh mozzarella. I wonder why my small Hy-Vee doesn’t carry it. It would have to be more affordable than the Bel Gioioso brand. (Which they have to throw out half the time because no one buys it and it expires on the shelf.)
Look how big Lincoln is getting! How time flies. You and Ben are the cutest.
I swear he gets cuter with every new photo you post! Really! Glad you had a nice holiday :)