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Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt (Panera Copycat!)

A flavorful recreation of Panera's Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt, this version is straightforward to prepare, economical, and brimming with bold, satisfying tastes.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 16 minutes

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 6 oz shredded rotisserie chicken
  • ¼ cup chopped Peppadew peppers or sweet & hot cherry peppers
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 4 oz gouda sliced
  • 6 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • 2 garlic herb focaccia flat loaves

Instructions

  • Blend the chipotle peppers in adobo with mayonnaise in a small bowl until smooth; set aside.
  • Divide each focaccia loaf into four equal pieces, yielding a total of eight square slices.
  • Generously coat one side of each bread slice with the chipotle mayo mixture.
  • Layer four of the slices with gouda, avocado slices, shredded chicken, chopped cilantro, and Peppadew peppers.
  • Cover each topped slice with a plain one to form complete sandwiches.
  • Place the assembled sandwiches into a heated skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Toast for 2–3 minutes on one side, then flip carefully and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
  • Tilt the skillet slightly, pour in water, then cover and allow the sandwiches to steam for 1 minute until the water evaporates.
  • Uncover, remove from heat, and serve hot.

Notes

For a portable lunch, lightly brush avocado slices with lemon juice to prevent browning.
Customize the chipotle mayo with a pinch of salt or minced garlic to enhance the flavor profile.