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When summer time hits, I’m always on the lookout for light and fresh, simple dinner ideas. This Chicken Lasagna Panini is just that, and is proof that easy cooking can taste fantastic. Filled with a delightful chicken lasagna mixture made with the best canned tomatoes, piled with fresh spinach, and topped with two cheeses, it’s perfection between two pieces of bread!
No panini press is required in the making of this delicious sandwich. I used a George Foreman grill, but an outdoor grill or a skillet over the stove top will work just as well.
I learned a trick the other day for making a panini over the stove top. Simply place it in the warmed pan over the heat and put pressure on the top with the flat side of another pan or even a lid. You won’t get the wonderful cross marks with this method, but I can promise that it will still taste every bit as yummy.
Because great ingredients are the key players in the creation of an edible masterpiece, I always make my selections with thoughtful care. For this panini I used Hunt’s Tomato Paste, Hunt’s Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic & Oregano, and Hunt’s Tomato Sauce. Hunt’s uses a method called FlashSteam where they peel the tomatoes using hot water instead of chemicals. I’m confident when I open a can of Hunt’s that the tomatoes are the best quality and will lend the best possible flavor to the outcome.
The herb-infused diced tomatoes give a great flavor base to the sauce mixture. The paste lends an important deep, concentrated tomato taste and a thicker texture. The simmering of the sauce is paramount because it melds and accentuates the fantastic tomato flavors. Together, these three players form the foundation for a very tasty sauce made unique, yet impactful with shredded chicken.
I grabbed some cans of Hunt’s tomato goodness on my last shopping trip to Walmart, then set to work concocting the Chicken Lasagna Panini.
Serve it up with a fresh spinach and strawberry salad, and you’re in for a treat! That’s what I call #DinnerDone right!
{CHICKEN LASAGNA PANINI}
Makes approximately 4 sandwiches
2 medium chicken breasts (about 3/4 lb.) cooked and shredded or diced in small pieces
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 large yellow onion, finely diced
1 1/2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 can (8 oz.) Hunt’s Tomato Sauce
1/2 can (or 7 oz.) Hunt’s Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic & Oregano
1/2 can (or 3 oz.) Hunt’s Tomato Paste
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/8 tsp. pepper
Sliced Mozzarella Cheese
Freshly-Grated Parmesan Cheese
4 pieces of Foccacia, Ciabatta, Sourdough (my choice), Italian, or your panini bread of choice
Saute onions and garlic in olive oil until tender and fragrant. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, sugar, and pepper and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Stir in shredded, cooked chicken, and cook for 2 more minutes on low heat.
Spread a light portion of the sauce over a slice of bread. Add mozzarella slice(s) and sprinkle with a few sprinkles of freshly-grated Parmesan cheese. Brush tops of bread with a little olive oil. My grill was already seasoned, so I didn’t need to do this. Cook in a panini press, George Foreman, outdoor grill, or in a pan over the stove-top, using the method described above. Cook for 2-4 minutes, or until cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.
A great tip for keeping the bread from getting soggy when making a panini is to place dry toppings between the bread and the ingredients that may release moisture. For example, I placed my spinach on top and if you wanted to go even further, you could place the cheese between the meat mixture and the bread. My sandwich was a perfect crispness and didn’t end up being soggy in the least.
Such a simple and nutritious meal with the vibrant colors and fresh tastes of summer!
Do you typically think ground beef when the topic of “Lasagna” comes up? Well think again! This Chicken Lasagna Panini will cause that association to quickly fade from your mind with every tasty bite. 🙂Tip: To make this panini even more irresistible, spread butter and sprinkle garlic powder over each slice of bread before making the sandwich. Because garlic bread and lasagna were meant to be best friends. Yum-o!
I hope you enjoy it! We sure did!
Now, with all that extra time you saved on making dinner, enjoy a wonderful, long summer evening outdoors with family and friends!
Find more great recipes and information on Hunt’s tomatoes HERE and HERE. Be sure to follow Hunt’s on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to keep up with the latest and greatest!
Thank you #CollectiveBias and Hunt’s for the opportunity to create this yummy recipe!
Julia @ Mini Van Dreams