If you're a fan of Panera's Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt, you're going to love this copycat recipe. It's made with all the same delicious ingredients, but it's even better because you get to make it at home.
![Diagonally sliced grilled chicken avocado panini on a cutting board.](https://smellslikedelish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/chicken-avocado-panini-vertical-1.jpg)
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Make your own copycat Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt using a panini press in your kitchen! This sandwich is the perfect combination of creamy avocado, smoky chicken, and tangy chipotle mayo. It's also a healthy and satisfying meal.
- Easy to make. Just a few simple ingredients and a panini press are all you need.
- Affordable. In just a few minutes, you'll have a delicious sandwich that tastes just like the one from Panera, at a fraction of the cost.
- Delicious. The smoky chipotle flavor goes so well with the chicken and avocado! You can customize also by adding or removing ingredients also!
Ingredients You'll Need
Use a clear shot of the ingredients for this recipe, prepped, and labeled if necessary. Insert the ingredients into the list below, omitting quantities.
- Sourdough bread slices - Or, slice a thick ciabatta roll in half.
- Chipotle mayonnaise - Store bought, or mix ยผ cup of mayonnaise with ยผ teaspoon ground chipotle, or 1 teaspoon of chipotle adobo sauce. If you're not a fan of chipotle, use Dijon mustard instead.
- Chicken Breast - Sliced. Use smoked, roasted, of even rotisserie chicken.
- Avocado - Peeled and sliced thin.
- Tomato - Sliced thin.
- Roasted sweet pepper - Any kind of sweet roasted jarred peppers.
- Greens - Use fresh cilantro, basil, or spinach. Even baby kale is fine.
- Smoked Gouda cheese - Shredded.
- Olive oil - For the Panini press.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Panera's Chipotle Chicken Sandwich
- If you don't have a panini press, you can use a grill pan or a skillet. Just be sure to press down on the sandwich while it's cooking to help it get crispy.
- You can use any type of bread you like for this chipotle chicken panini. I like to use sourdough bread, but ciabatta bread or focaccia bread would also be good.
- If you don't have chipotle mayo, you can make your own by mixing mayonnaise with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
Start With Sliced Chicken and Avocado
- Turn the panini press on to get hot while preparing these chicken avocado sandwiches.
- Spread the chipotle mayonnaise (o Dijon if you prefer no heat) onto each slice of bread.
- Top two of the slices with slices of the chicken breast and sliced avocado.
Layer Sweet Peppers and Tomato Slices
- Next, layer on some of the roasted red pepper strips, and top with sliced tomatoes.
Top with Greens and Smoked Gouda
- Layer on the greens of your choice: cilantro, spinach, or basil leaves are great options.
- Add the shredded smoked Gouda cheese and top the open face side of the sandwich with the chipotle mayonnaise coated second slice of bread to form a sandwich.
Grill In The Panini (or Skillet)
- Brush the chicken avocado sandwiches lightly on both sides with olive oil, and grill in the preheated panini press until both sides are golden brown and the cheese melted, about 6-8 minutes.
- Remove sandwiches from the panini press and cut in half diagonally. Serve with fries, cole slaw, or other side dishes. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Serve these copycat Panera's Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt paninis with french fries, our copycat Panera's Tomato Soup recipe, a side salad or coleslaw, or our Easy Instant Pot Mac & Cheese for a complete meal.
Some great side dish recipes include:
- Red Hot and Blue Potato Salad
- Kapusniak (Polish Cabbage Soup)
- Air Fried Bacon (great layered with the chicken in this sandwich!)
- Cilantro Lime Coleslaw
- Panera's Strawberry Poppyseed Salad
Related Recipes
- Easy 4-Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
- Chipotle Traeger Chicken Kabobs
- 4th of July Rice Krispy Treats
- Panera's Autumn Squash Soup
- Grinder Sandwich
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few substitutions and variations using this chipotle chicken sandwich recipe as a base:
- You can add bacon or roasted vegetables to this chicken avocado sandwich to jazz it up even more.
- You can use a skillet and grill this chipotle chicken panini recipe if you don't have a panini press.
- Rotisserie chicken is a great alternative to smoked turkey breast.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this Panera copycat Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt.
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Storage Options
- This sandwich can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, simply wrap the sandwich in foil and heat it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
Tips for Success
- You can make this chicken avocado sandwich in a skillet or Blackstone griddle instead of using a panini press.
- If you don't have smoked turkey available, or time to make it, an ordinary rotisserie chicken is a great short cut.
- You can find chipotle mayonnaise already prepared in the grocery store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make this recipe without a panini press. You can grill the sandwich in a skillet or on a griddle.
You can add bacon, roasted vegetables, pickled onions, or other toppings to this sandwich.
Yes, you can make this sandwich ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply wrap the sandwich in foil and heat it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
More Delish Recipes
Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt (Panera)
Ingredients
- 4 slices Sourdough bread slices or, slice a thick ciabatta roll in half.
- 4 tablespoon Chipotle mayonnaise store bought or homemade
- 6 oz Chicken Breast smoked, roasted, or rotisserie
- 1 medium Avocado sliced thin
- 4 tablespoon Roasted sweet peppers jarred red sweet roasted pepper strips
- 1 small Tomato sliced thin
- ½ cup Greens cilantro, spinach, kale, or even basil leaves
- ½ cup Smoked Gouda cheese shredded
- 2 teaspoon Olive oil for the panini press
Instructions
- Turn the panini press on to get hot while preparing these chicken avocado sandwiches.
- Spread the chipotle mayonnaise (or Dijon if you prefer no heat) onto each slice of bread.4 slices Sourdough bread slices, 4 tablespoon Chipotle mayonnaise
- Top two of the slices with slices of the chicken breast and sliced avocado.6 oz Chicken Breast, 1 medium Avocado
- Next, layer on some of the roasted red pepper strips, and top with sliced tomatoes.4 tablespoon Roasted sweet peppers, 1 small Tomato
- Layer on the greens of your choice: cilantro, spinach, or basil leaves are great options.½ cup Greens
- Add the shredded smoked Gouda cheese and top the open face side of the sandwich with the chipotle mayonnaise coated second slice of bread to form a sandwich.½ cup Smoked Gouda cheese
- Brush the chicken avocado sandwiches lightly on both sides with olive oil, and grill in the preheated panini press until both sides are golden brown and the cheese melted, about 6-8 minutes.2 teaspoon Olive oil
- Remove sandwiches from the panini press and cut in half diagonally. Serve with fries, cole slaw, or other side dishes. Enjoy!
Notes
- Chipotle Mayo: Mix ยผ cup of mayonnaise with ยผ teaspoon ground chipotle, or 1 teaspoon of chipotle adobo sauce. If you're not a fan of chipotle, use Dijon mustard instead.
- You can make this chicken avocado sandwich in a skillet or Blackstone griddle instead of using a panini press.
- If you don't have smoked turkey available, or time to make it, an ordinary rotisserie chicken is a great short cut.
- You can find chipotle mayonnaise already prepared in the grocery store.
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