Chicken Artichoke Paninis

Panera has this amazing Turkey Artichoke Panini that rocked my world. So of course I wanted to recreate it at home. I totally improvised this Panera-inspired sandwich. Enjoy!

{Chicken Artichoke Panini}

(Not my prettiest food picture. That's what happens when you are holding a small baby while photographing food.)

Chicken ( I use Perdue pre-cooked strips)

1 can artichoke hearts

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup sour cream

dash lemon juice

salt and pepper

1/4 cup parm cheese

2-3 sweet peppers

1/4 red onion

fresh spinach

fresh focaccia bread

1. Slice your sweet peppers and red onion into long strips. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add peppers and cook until they are all brown and delicious.

2. Rinse artichoke hearts. I like to peel the tough outer layer off as well. Toss into a food processor and grind. Add garlic, sour cream, lemon juice, and salt and pepper and mix again. 

3. Chop your chicken into small chunks and put in a bowl. Add the artichoke mixture to the chicken and stir. 

4. Don't let your sweet peppers and red onions burn!

5. Slice your bread in half and place on a cookie sheet. Brush some olive oil on the inside of the bread and put in the oven on broil for a few minutes, long enough to get the bread crispy.

6. We are ready to assemble! Spread the chicken artichoke mixture on your bottom slice of bread. Top with the peppers and onions and fresh spinach. Put a fun mustard on your top piece of bread if you're into that kind of thing. And you are done!

7. Enjoy.