Creating memories in the kitchen...One meal at a time.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Southwestern Chicken Panini with Cilantro Pesto and Chipotle Mayo



These sandwiches were so delicious and the perfect accompaniment to the Black Bean soup. This picture does not do it justice. I loved the Cilantro Pesto which was perfect with the chicken and melted cheese and the spicy Chipotle Mayo added a delicious kick that put these sandwiches over the top. Another plus, this recipe uses a rotisserie chicken which makes them come together even quicker. I can't wait to try the leftover cilantro pesto with some pasta!

Southwestern Chicken Panini
slightly adapted from Cuisine At Home

For the cilantro pesto:

*This makes more pesto than you'll need for the sandwiches. Freeze leftovers to mix with pasta*

2 cups packed cilantro leaves and stems


4 cloves garlic


1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped


Juice of 1/2 a lime


Pinch of Salt


2 tbsp. olive oil

For the Chipotle Mayonnaise
1/4 cup mayonnaise (I used light)


1 tbsp. minced canned chipotle chili pepper in adobo sauce (found in Mexican Isle)


1/2 tsp. sugar


4 slices white or wheat sourdough bread (I used wheat multi grain bread)


softened butter


2 oz. pepper jack or Havarti Cheese ,thinly sliced (I used mozzarella because it's what I had on hand. I think Provolone would be delicious as well)


3 oz. rotisserie chicken, torn into large pieces

Directions:Pulse cilantro, garlic, jalapeno, lime juice, and salt for the pesto in a food processor until minced; scrape down sides of bowl. With machine running, drizzle in olive oil until paste forms.

Combine mayonnaise, chipotle, and sugar in a small bowl.
Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread; spread mayonnaise on the other sides of two slices and 1 Tbsp. pesto on the other two slices. Top pesto with cheese, then the chicken; place the other two sliced of bread on top, buttered sides up. toast sandwiches on both sides.

*If you don't have a panini press toast sandwiches using a heavy skillet on top to weight them as they cook over medium heat. When first side of sandwich is golden, flip it and repeat to cook second side..*

Posted by: Sallie







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3 comments:

Barbara Bakes said...

This is such a great idea of a sandwich! So much flavor! Love the new blog look!

My Sister's Kitchen said...

Thank you. I like it too.

Julia said...

I made this with the black bean soup for dinner last night...they were both soooooo good!

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