Easy Panera Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt (Copycat)

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Are you a sandwich lover like me or a Panera Bread fan? Then this Copycat Panera Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt is the perfect sandwich recipe to try!

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• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Bake Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Servings: 2 sandwiches
• Prep Level: Beginner +

With smoky chipotle mayonnaise, tender chicken, melty cheese, and creamy avocado, every bite is pure comfort.

Ingredient Notes 

• Focaccia bread – Black pepper focaccia bread is the type of bread that Panera uses to make this sandwich. Use a different kind if you want to like french bread, ciabatta bread, or sourdough bread. Any of them will make a delicious sandwich.
• Chicken – You don’t have to smoke your own chicken to make this sandwich. You can usually find smoked chicken at the deli counter of your local grocery store. Rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, or regular cooked chicken breasts are all great options to use for this tasty sandwich, either shredded chicken or sliced chicken.
• Peppadew peppers – These peppers can be a little hard to find and have a kick to them! Great alternatives are sweet cherry peppers or roasted red peppers.
• Gouda cheese – Smoked gouda gives that signature smoky flavor. Regular gouda or cheddar cheese slices can be used.
• Bacon – Smoky bacon added to any sandwich takes it to another level! I love it!
• Chipoltle mayo – Blend mayo with canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste, a little goes a long way. Alternatively, you can use Tabasco Chipotle Sauce or a prepared chipotle mayonnaise found at your local grocery store.
• Cilantro – You can use either fresh or dry cilantro. This is one herb that I don’t use a lot of. It’s very strong to me however, a little bit sprinkled on this sandwich blends nicely with the rest of the ingredients. It’s completely optional.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make The Chipotle Sauce

• Mix the mayonnaise, adobo sauce, and a splash of lime juice (about 1/4 teaspoon) throughly in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Cover and place in the fridge if not using right away.

Assemble

• Preheat oven to broil.
• If the focaccia bread is not pre cut, use a bread knife to cut the focaccia bread into your preferred sandwich size. Slice the sandwich bread horizontally in half. 
• Rinse, dry, and roughly chop a few sprigs of fresh cilantro.
• Rinse and dry the avocado with a paper towel. Cut the avocado in half lengthwise and remove the seed. Use a large spoon to remove the flesh from the halves and thinly slice them.
• Drain the peppadew peppers well and pat dry. Cut them in half.
• Spread a layer of creamy chipotle sauce on the bottom slice of bread. Layer the smoked chicken. Add the cooked bacon if using.

• Place the sliced creamy avocado on top of the chicken or bacon. Add the peppadew peppers.
• Sprinkle the chopped cilantro on top of the open-face sandwich.

• Cover the open-face sandwich with 2 slices of gouda cheese.
• Put the open-face sandwich on a baking tray.
• Broil until the cheese melts. Use oven mitts and remove the baking tray.
• Spread a little creamy chipotle sauce on the top slice of bread.
• Place the top slice of bread on the melted cheese. Serve warm.

See the recipe card below for complete measurements and bake time.

Tips & Tricks

1. Make chipotle mayo ahead – store extra in the fridge for sandwiches, tacos, or dipping fries.
2. Add fresh cilantro last – Sprinkle just before toasting for a pop of flavor without overpowering the sandwich.
3. Save energy – I use my toaster oven on broil if I’m making 1 or 2 sandwiches, it works great! If using a standard oven, raise the rack  to the highest position and turn on the broiler.
4. Grill the sandwiches – Heat a cast iron skillet or large skillet over medium heat. Butter both sides of the sandwich, place in heated skillet. Grill for 2-3 minutes on each side or until lightly brown.

What to Serve with a Chicken Avocado Melt

• City Barbeque Potato Salad
• Buffalo Wild Wings Potato Wedges
• Easy Carrot Salad
• Old-fashioned German Potato Salad
• Steamed Broccoli With Garlic Butter
• White Cheddar Mac from the Chunky Chef

Continue to Content

Yield: 2 sandwiches

Easy Panera Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt (Copycat)

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This copycat Panera Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt sandwich is a simple recipe made with delicious ingredients that you can make for an easy weeknight meal!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 slices focaccia bread
• Chipotle sauce
• 4 ounces smoked chicken
• 4 slices cooked bacon – optional
• 1 avocado
• 6 to 8 Piquant peppadew peppers
• 4 sprigs chopped cilantro
• 4 slices smoked gouda cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to broil.
2. If the focaccia bread is not pre cut, use a bread knife to cut the focaccia bread into your preferred sandwich size. Slice the sandwich bread horizontally in half. 
3. Rinse, dry, and roughly chop a few sprigs of fresh cilantro.
4. Rinse the outer skin a ripe avocado and dry with a paper towel. Cut the avocado in half lengthwise and remove the seed. Use a large spoon to remove the flesh from the halves and thinly slice them.
5. Drain the peppadew peppers well and pat dry. Cut them in half.
6. Spread a layer of creamy chipotle sauce on the bottom slice of bread.
7. Layer the smoked chicken. Add the cooked bacon if using. Place the sliced creamy avocado on top of the chicken or bacon. Add the peppadew peppers. Sprinkle the chopped cilantro on top of the open-face sandwich.
8. Cover the open-face sandwich with 2 slices of gouda cheese.
9. Put the open-face sandwich on a baking tray. Broil for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese melts. Use oven mitts and remove the baking tray.
10. Spread a little creamy chipotle sauce on the top slice of bread. Place the top slice of bread on the melted cheese. Serve warm.

Notes

Homemade Creamy Chipotle Sauce For 2 Sandwiches

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

• 2 teaspoons adobo sauce

• 1/4 teaspoon lime juice

Mix all together in a small bowl.

Recipe Note

I use my toaster oven on boil if I'm making 1 or 2 sandwiches.

If using a standard oven, raise the rack  to the highest position and turn on the broiler.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1018Total Fat: 55gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 34gCholesterol: 133mgSodium: 2133mgCarbohydrates: 82gFiber: 14gSugar: 16gProtein: 55g

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