15 Chicken Panini Recipes to Make for Your Best Lunch

Hungry for lunch?

A chicken panini is an excellent choice.

Hot, toasty bread stuffed with chicken and all sorts of other yummy things.

Veggies. Sauces. Cheeses.

Even bacon.

You could even get away with making chicken panini for dinner.

Serve it with soup or a salad for a casual meal.

Whatever you do, chicken paninis can be made in so many exciting ways. 

You won’t ever have to make the same one twice, though there are 15 on our list that you’re going to love making again and again!

Try These 15 Chicken Panini Recipes Today!

Ready for the best chicken panini recipes you’ll ever taste? Each of these is a breeze to throw together for yourself, the family, or when you’ve got guests!

1. Chicken Parm Panini

 

Let’s start with the robust, savory, and completely cheesy chicken parm panini! 

If you have leftover chicken parmigiana from last night, this is a no-brainer.

And it will take just minutes to make.

But fear not if you’re venturing forth into making chicken parm panini without chicken parmigiana handy in the fridge. 

Just a few simple ingredients come together lightning-quick to get that golden, crispy chicken. 

Then you’ll top it with marinara sauce and mozzarella and throw it in your panini press. 

The results are pure deliciousness of course. 

This would be excellent with a bowl of minestrone!

Need more details on how to do it?

Gaby can tell you over at What’s Gaby Cooking. 

2. BBQ Chicken Panini

 

Next up, if you’re feeling that need for something smoky and savory, look no further than the BBQ chicken panini. 

This stellar sandwich combines shredded BBQ chicken with barbecue sauce.

A little Havarti.

Some pickled for a sour kick.

Whatever your desired BBQ chicken sandwich topping idea you like gets sandwiched in on sourdough bread.

Are you drooling yet?

You may want to get that checked out before you short-out your keyboard.

This BBQ chicken panini is an excellent option if you’ve got leftover BBQ chicken, but if not, you can buy the chicken ready-made.

Or use rotisserie chicken tossed in your favorite BBQ sauce. 

Amber from Simply Made Recipes has all the details on how to do this BBQ chicken panini right!

3. Tuscan Chicken Panini

Want a delicious Tuscan chicken panini like you’d get at a restaurant?

It couldn’t be easier to get bold flavors and fresh tastes in a handheld format.

You’ll start by letting chicken tenderloins marinate in mayo, lemon, basil, and garlic.

Then brown that lovely chicken on both sides.

When it’s ready, stack it on your ciabatta bread with tomato, avocado, and provolone. 

You’ll be amazed at this delicious creation that will take you barely any time to throw together. 

4. Chicken Avocado Panini

There are so many ways you can make a chicken avocado panini your head might very well spin.

Don’t panic though because any way you stack it up, you’re sure to happily gobble it up.

Choose ciabatta or sourdough bread for your base.

Then grab some chicken – it could be rotisserie, leftover fried chicken or breast meat from the grill, chicken tenders, or something you sear on your skillet right now.

Now assemble it with some fresh avocado.

A little red onion and tomato can’t hurt either.

And hey, how about some lettuce?

Get those veggies in there!

Honey mustard would be phenomenal here though you can smear your favorite sauces.

Oh, and cheese if you please…smoked gouda or a spicy pepper jack will elevate the flavors in your chicken avocado panini.

5. Chicken Cordon Bleu Panini

 

Chicken cordon bleu is one of those dishes that is a classic hit.

But it takes time to make. 

And if you don’t have that kind of time and want those amazing flavors, there’s a better way to get them.

Make a chicken cordon bleu panini!

It’s super-simple too.

You just need shredded cooked chicken, deli ham, and Swiss cheese.

You’ll make a divine sauce with Dijon and a couple other things, then press this baby to perfection.

And if you need more guidance on how to do that (and make that finger-licking sauce), let Mel from Mel’s Kitchen Café show you the way!

6. California Smoked Chicken Panini

When you hear “California,” what do you think of?

Most people immediately picture avocados. 

And surfers.

But you don’t want surfers in your sandwich.

Instead, you want to make a California smoked chicken panini with avocado.

Grab some smoked chicken from the deli section of your supermarket, and layer it up with roasted red bell peppers, shredded cheddar or pepper jack, tomatoes, and garlic aioli.

Press it together with that panini maker (or use your oven or whatever you’ve got) and voila!

You’ll no longer be California dreamin’ of a panini because you’ll be living that dream!

7. Buffalo Chicken Panini

 

What we love about the buffalo chicken panini is that it has everything you love about buffalo wings without the bones, all sandwiched together between two slices of sourdough bread.

And you can improvise with leftover chicken, or simply cook it up from raw chicken, whatever you’ve got!

You’ll use your favorite hot sauce to make it as mild or as spicy as you like.

Add shredded Colby jack and blue cheese.

And throw in some chopped green onions for a pop of color.

That’s all there is to it for making this spicy and delightful panini for everyone you love.

Or for hoarding it all to yourself.

No judgement.

You can get the full recipe for the buffalo chicken panini following the link above.

8. Chipotle Chicken Panini

 

Got Panera Bread on your mind?

You can make a chipotle chicken panini just like the one they discontinued.

Only better.

This panini is layered to the hilt with pulled chicken, smoky crispy bacon, cheddar cheese slices, tomatoes, and a homemade chipotle sauce you’re going to want to pour all over everything.

The sauce really elevates the whole thing, and well, who can say no to bacon?

You can’t, so don’t.

Instead, follow the recipe from Alyona at Alyona’s Cooking. 

9. Cajun Chicken Panini

 

When you’re missing the Big Easy, you can bring home that Cajun flavor any time.

Just in time for lunch, this Cajun chicken panini has all that zesty spice to turn lunch into an extraordinary affair.

Make it with whole wheat for a healthier format and fill it with deli chicken, thinly sliced red pepper and red onion, tomato, and basil leaves. 

Don’t forget parmesan cheese and a sprinkle (or more) of Cajun seasoning – always a tasty and healthy seasoning for chicken.

That smoky, spicy kick in the taste buds is just what you need on your next lunch break. 

10. Italian Grilled Chicken Panini

How about a little Italian for lunch today? You can’t go wrong with an Italian Panini!

An Italian grilled chicken panini is the refreshing meal you need to help you trudge through the rest of your day.

Grill your chicken breast and slice it up (or use your leftover grilled chicken from last night for faster prep).

Then smear your Italian bread with a little mayo and top with fresh basil leaves, red onion, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, and fresh buffalo mozzarella. 

When you press this all together, you’re going to love those fresh and bold flavors that will whisk you away to an Italian café somewhere overlooking the Mediterranean. 

11. Copycat Panera Frontega Chicken Panini

 

Here’s another favorite panini from Panera Bread. 

And if you’re feeling like taking yourself out for a panini lunch but your wallet says nope, then this is what you should make. 

You’ve probably got everything you need to make it at home anyway.

Mayo, adobo sauce, and chipotle peppers are made into a sauce, then smeared onto focaccia bread.

You’ll add shredded chicken, tomato, red onion, fresh basil, and mozzarella cheese.

Then you’ll press it to make the magic happen for a melty, crispy, and utterly sensational sandwich. 

Kristen at Iowa Girl Eats has the recipe for you!

12. Portobello Chicken Panini

Before those portobello mushrooms turn south in your fridge, give them purpose.

Give them meaning.

For since you’ve bought them, they’ve been screaming, “Make us into a panini!”

How do you create a portobello chicken panini?

Grill the portobello mushrooms with onions.

Then add them with your leftover shredded chicken and provolone onto your Italian bread.

Drizzle it with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Italian seasoning.

Once it gets all crispy and melted, it’s going to make you the perfect lunch!

13. Cheesy Grilled Chicken Bacon Panini

Chicken. Bacon. Cheese.

That’s really all you need to make a cheesy grilled chicken bacon panini.

Some mayonnaise, tomatoes, lettuce, and onions are recommended too.

Though you can top it all your way, any day.

And you could make this 100 different ways too.

Cheddar + leftover rotisserie chicken + bacon.

Swiss + deli chicken + bacon.

Pepper jack + chicken tenders + bacon.

We think you get the idea.

Now go forth and make it!

14. Southwestern Chicken Panini

When a craving for southwestern fare strikes, it’s hard to ignore.

But if tacos and Tex-Mex aren’t in your grasp, turn to another handheld meal – the southwestern chicken panini.

If you have leftover chicken, this will be lightning quick.

Or salsa chicken. 

But no matter, for salsa chicken or not, you’ll be adding salsa to this panini.

Choose your cheese from cheddar to that shredded Mexican blend.

Or blow out your sinuses with a spicy number like pepper jack.

Do you want guacamole with that?

Of course you do! 

Anything goes with this southwestern chicken panini!

15. Chicken Salad Panini

 

Chicken salad is one of those refreshing things to put in a sandwich. 

And of course, everyone has a way they prefer it.

But when you take that cooked chicken, cube it up, and mix it with a dressing of mayonnaise, honey, Dijon mustard, fresh dill, and some salt and pepper, it’s legendary.

You’ll also need apples, pecans, and cheddar cheese.

It might sound weird, but this is an award-winning recipe, and you’ve simply got to try it.

There’s a little more to it, but if you head over to Taste of Home, you’ll get the full recipe and instructions for making an amazing chicken salad panini sandwich.

Chicken panini sandwiches are one of the best ways to put lunch on the table. They’re even speedier to make if you have cooked chicken on-hand to work with.

You can even trade out chicken for turkey and make a turkey panini with any of the above ideas!

But if not, never fear for you’ll be pressing these chicken panini recipes together like a pro in no time!