Zesty Southwestern Chicken Pesto Panini
Elevate your lunch game with this Zesty Southwestern Chicken Pesto Panini, featuring a vibrant cilantro pesto that brings a burst of flavor to each bite. The combination of zesty garlic, spicy jalapeno, and tangy lime in the pesto adds a unique twist, perfectly complementing the tender rotisserie chicken and creamy Monterey Jack pepper cheese. This sandwich is not only a delicious choice for lunch, but it also excels as a satisfying snack. You’ll have enough cilantro pesto left over to whip up another round of these tantalizing paninis, making it perfect for meal prep or serving at your next gathering.
N/A
Servings
440
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cilantro
2 cups (leaves and stems, packed)
Garlic cloves
4 (none)
Jalapeno
1 (seeded and chopped)
Lime
1/2 (juice only)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (none)
Salt
1 pinch (none)
Mayonnaise
1/4 cup (none)
Chipotle chile puree
1 tablespoon (from canned chipotles in adobo)
Sugar
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Butter
as needed (softened)
Bread
4 slices (1/2 inch thick)
Monterey Jack pepper cheese
2 ounces (thinly sliced)
Rotisserie cooked chicken
3 ounces (torn into pieces)
Instructions
1
Prepare the chipotle chile puree ahead of time by pureeing a can of chipotles in adobo and storing it in a jar in the refrigerator for future use.
2
In a food processor, combine the fresh cilantro leaves and stems, garlic cloves, seeded and chopped jalapeno, freshly squeezed lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Process this mixture until it is finely minced.
3
While the food processor is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to create a smooth cilantro pesto paste.
4
In a separate small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, chipotle puree, and sugar until well combined. Set aside.
5
Butter one side of each slice of bread. For two of the slices, spread the prepared cilantro pesto on the unbuttered side. Layer the thinly sliced Monterey Jack pepper cheese and the torn rotisserie chicken on top of the pesto.
6
On the remaining two slices of bread, spread the chipotle mayo mixture on the unbuttered side. Place these slices cheese-side down on top of the chicken, ensuring the buttered sides are facing out.
7
To cook, preheat a Foreman grill, or use a skillet over medium heat with a weight on top. Place the sandwiches in the grill or skillet and press down lightly. Cook until the bottom is golden brown, then carefully flip the sandwiches (if using a skillet) and cook the other side until golden and the cheese has melted.
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
35g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zesty Southwestern Chicken Pesto Panini?
It is an elevated sandwich featuring a vibrant cilantro pesto, tender rotisserie chicken, and creamy Monterey Jack pepper cheese with a southwestern twist.
What ingredients are used to make the cilantro pesto?
The cilantro pesto is made from fresh cilantro leaves and stems, garlic cloves, seeded and chopped jalapeno, lime juice, salt, and olive oil.
How do I prepare the chipotle chile puree?
Puree a can of chipotles in adobo in advance and store it in a jar in the refrigerator for future use.
What type of cheese is used in this panini?
The recipe calls for 2 ounces of thinly sliced Monterey Jack pepper cheese.
Can I cook this panini without a Foreman grill?
Yes, you can use a skillet over medium heat with a weight on top to press the sandwich down.
What is the assembly order for the sandwich?
Spread cilantro pesto on one slice and layer cheese and chicken. Spread chipotle mayo on the other slice and place it on top, ensuring buttered sides face out.
What kind of chicken is recommended?
The recipe suggests using 3 ounces of torn rotisserie cooked chicken.
How many calories are in a serving?
This recipe contains 440 calories per serving.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
The panini contains 25 grams of fat.
How much protein is in the Zesty Southwestern Chicken Pesto Panini?
There are 20 grams of protein in this recipe.
How many carbohydrates are in this sandwich?
The recipe contains 35 grams of carbohydrates.
What goes into the chipotle mayo mixture?
The chipotle mayo is a blend of 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon chipotle chile puree, and 1/2 teaspoon sugar.
Is the cilantro pesto made with just the leaves?
No, the recipe uses 2 cups of both cilantro leaves and stems, packed.
How do you prepare the jalapeno for the pesto?
The jalapeno should be seeded and chopped before being added to the food processor.
How thick should the bread slices be?
The recipe recommends using 4 slices of bread that are 1/2 inch thick.
What is the purpose of adding sugar to the chipotle mayo?
A half teaspoon of sugar is added to balance the flavors of the mayo and chipotle puree.
How do I know when the panini is finished cooking?
Cook until the bread is golden brown on both sides and the Monterey Jack pepper cheese has melted.
Can I make extra cilantro pesto?
Yes, the recipe produces enough leftover cilantro pesto to whip up another round of paninis later.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, it is excellent for meal prep or serving at gatherings because ingredients like the pesto and puree can be made ahead.
What is the role of the lime in this recipe?
Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a tangy twist to the cilantro pesto, complementing the spicy jalapeno.
How many garlic cloves are used in the pesto?
The recipe uses 4 garlic cloves to give the pesto a zesty garlic flavor.
Should I butter both sides of the bread?
No, you only butter one side of each slice, ensuring the buttered sides face out during cooking.
What are the common tags for this recipe?
Tags include panini, sandwich, cilantro pesto, southwestern, chicken, quick lunch, spicy, and comfort food.
How much olive oil is used in the pesto?
Two tablespoons of olive oil are drizzled into the food processor to create a smooth paste.
Is this sandwich considered spicy?
Yes, it contains jalapeno, chipotle chile puree, and Monterey Jack pepper cheese, giving it a zesty and spicy profile.
How many total ingredients are required?
There are 13 total ingredients in this recipe.
How do you achieve a smooth pesto consistency?
Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while the food processor is running with the minced cilantro and garlic.
What should I do if using a skillet to cook the sandwich?
Press down lightly, cook until golden brown, then carefully flip to cook the other side until the cheese melts.
Can I use the pesto for other dishes?
Yes, the vibrant cilantro pesto is versatile and can be used for various recipes beyond this panini.
What is the recommended serving size?
The recipe provides nutritional info for one serving, but the ingredient quantities make roughly two full paninis.