BBQ Ranch Chicken Panini
BBQ chicken, rich cheddar, juicy tomatoes, and crispy bacon are squished into melty, golden perfection in this bold, cheesy chicken panini. Ranch and BBQ sauce keep every bite extra saucy and delicious.
2
paninis
Ingredients
Panini
- 4 slices thick-cut bread or ciabatta rolls such as sourdough, Italian, or ciabatta; sturdy enough to grill
- 2 tbsp ranch dressing
- 2 tbsp BBQ sauce smoky, sweet, or spicy as preferred
- 4 slices cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack or Havarti
- 1 cup (150 g) cooked shredded chicken rotisserie or leftover grilled chicken; seasoned
- 4 strips cooked bacon crispy
- 1 ripe tomato sliced
- olive oil spray for crisping the bread
Equipment
- Panini Press
- Skillet or Grill Pan
Instructions
- Preheat your gear: Heat up your panini press (or grill pan/skillet) to medium heat for crispy bread.
- Smear and savor: Spread ranch dressing on two bread slices and BBQ sauce on the other two. Make sure to go to the edges for full flavor.
- Start stacking: On the ranch slices, layer one cheese slice each, then top with shredded chicken, 2 strips of bacon, tomato slices, and another cheese slice per sandwich.
- Cap it off: Place the BBQ-sauced bread slices on top to close the sandwiches. Press gently to set the layers.
- Spray and sizzle: Mist the top with olive oil spray. Place sandwiches oil side down on the hot panini press (or grill pan). Spray the other side, then close or press with a skillet. Grill for 3–5 minutes or until the bread is golden and the cheese is melty.
- Flip (if needed): If using a grill pan, flip the sandwiches carefully, oil the other side, and grill until both sides are crisp and golden.
- Cool and slice: Let paninis cool for a minute, then slice diagonally and serve hot.
Notes
Feel free to swap in your favorite cheese (Havarti, Jack, Gouda), different breads (sourdough, focaccia), or use turkey bacon or veggie bacon for a twist. No panini press? A grill pan plus a heavy skillet works great. Enjoy immediately for maximum crispiness, or reheat leftovers in a skillet or oven.
Nutrition
Calories: 650kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 1500mg | Potassium: 550mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 700IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 350mg | Iron: 3.2mg