Perfectly Seasoned Chicken Panini
Effortlessly Delicious Chicken Panini Without a Panini Press – Perfect for Brunch!
We’re making a fantastic panini using just your everyday bread and a frying pan. While paninis can be filled with various ingredients like bulgogi or chicken, today we’ll be sharing a delightful chicken panini recipe!
Panini Ingredients
- 8 slices of bread
- 300g mozzarella cheese
Chicken Filling Ingredients
- 300g chicken tenderloin
- 1 onion
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1/3 Tbsp salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 300g chicken tenderloin
- 1 onion
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1/3 Tbsp salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 300g of chicken tenderloin. To remove any gamey smell and tenderize it, marinate the chicken with 1 cup of cooking wine (or soju) and a pinch of black pepper for 10 minutes. This step is crucial for a delicious, non-fishy chicken flavor.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the ingredients for the panini filling. Peel and finely dice the onion. Mince the green onion and garlic as well. Cut the chicken tenderloin into bite-sized pieces. Aim for pieces that are not too small, so you can still enjoy a satisfying bite.
Step 3
It’s time to make the chicken filling! In a frying pan, add the prepared chicken, diced onion, minced green onion, and minced garlic. Stir-fry until the chicken is mostly cooked. Then, add 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp cooking wine, and 1 Tbsp sugar, mixing well. Season with 1/3 Tbsp salt and a pinch of black pepper to taste. A pro tip: pour the soy sauce around the edges of the pan and let it caramelize slightly as you stir-fry; this enhances the soy sauce’s savory aroma and flavor!
Step 4
It’s important to stir-fry until all the moisture has evaporated and the ingredients are nicely browned. Cooking until the mixture is no longer watery ensures your panini won’t be soggy and will have a wonderful texture.
Step 5
Now, let’s assemble the panini! Take two slices of bread. On one slice, generously spread a layer of mozzarella cheese. Feel free to add more cheese if you love that gooey, cheesy pull!
Step 6
Evenly spread the cooked chicken filling over the cheese. Be mindful not to overfill, as too much filling might cause the panini to burst open during cooking.
Step 7
Cover the chicken filling with another generous layer of mozzarella cheese. This cheese layer will help bind the ingredients together as it melts and adds that delightful stringy texture.
Step 8
Finally, place the second slice of bread on top to complete the panini. Gently press down on the assembled panini with your hands to ensure the bread and filling are well-compacted.
Step 9
Heat a frying pan over low heat. Place the panini in the pan and cook slowly, flipping occasionally until golden brown on both sides. To help the cheese melt perfectly, cover the pan with a lid or a plate. Cooking on low heat ensures the inside is heated through and the cheese melts beautifully without burning the bread.
Step 10
Since the chicken is already cooked, you only need to cook the panini until the bread is crispy and the cheese is fully melted. Your delicious chicken panini is ready to be enjoyed! Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
