Paninis are my absolute favourites. They are perfect option for lunch, lunch boxes and even picnics. Its quick, filling and healthy option too. Everyone loves a good spicy chicken tikka, so why not use its as a filling for panini ? This recipe is so full of flavour and it gets ready in no time.
Jump to RecipeDo you need Panini Press for making Panini?
Absolutely no ! you can make perfect panini without a panini press. I actually prefer making it on a grill pan as compared to panini maker. The bread gets nicely grilled in a pan. So you just need a pan ( grill pan preferably) Put panini on the pan and put a heavy skillet or pot on top of it. The weight of heavy object works same as panini maker would to press it down. I use my cast iron pot cover for this purpose 😁
What Bread to use for Panini
Panini is better made with hard and sturdy breads like Focaccia, Ciabatta, baguette or Sour dough. These breads retain their shape even after getting pressed and don’t get soggy from moisture of the fillings.
Ingredients for Chicken Tikka Panini
Chicken – I used chicken breast fillets cut into strips. And marinated it with salt, red chilli powder, cumin powder, turmeric, garlic, lemon juice and chicken tikka masala powder. Tikka masala is easily available at grocery stores, you can also use tikka masala paste.
Veggies – I used red and green capsicums, onions, tomatoes, salad leaves.
Sauce – I made my own chilli mayonnaise by mixing mayonnaise and chilli sauce. You can choose sauce of your choice garlic sauce, chilli sauce or even tomatoe sauce.
Watch how to make Chicken Tikka Panini
Making Ahead Options
The chicken used in this recipe can be cooked and kept in the freezer. I always keep this chicken in the freezer, its handy to use in sandwiches, panini, wraps, salads and also pizza. Marinate chicken strips, cook them and freeze them. Take them out whenever required and microwave them.
OTHER SNACKS TO TRY
Greek Chicken Gyros
Chicken Nachos
Vada Pav
Chicken Tikka Panini
Ingredients
- 4 Ciabatta Rolls See notes
- 500 g Boneless Chicken Cut in strips
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- ¼ tsp Turmeric
- ½ tsp Cumin Powder
- 1 tsp Tikka Masala Powder See Notes
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp crushed garlic
- Salad Leaves
- ½ Red Capsicum
- ½ Green Capsicum
- 1 small Onion ( Cut in rings)
- 1 Small Tomatoe ( Cut in Slices)
- 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Chilli Sauce
- 1 tbsp Jalapeños
- 4 Slices Cheese
Instructions
- Marinate chicken strips with all the spices. And leave it to marinate for 15 – 30 mins.
- In a frying pan , add little oil and fry chicken until cooked.
- Mix mayonnaise with chilli sauce.
- Cut the bread in half, put cheese slices, followed by chicken, tomatoes, salad leaves, onions, capsicum and Chilli Mayonnaise.
- Put it in a panini maker for required time. Alternatively heat a grill pan and brush lightly with butter. Put panini and press it down by putting heavy item on it like skillet or cast iron pot etc. Flip the sides after few minutes and repeat until the other side is grilled too.
Notes
- Use hard and sturdy bread like Ciabatta, focaccia, baguette or sour dough.
- If tikka Masala is unavailable, use 1tsp tikka masala paste, if that’s not available either just add 1 tsp of garam masala.
