Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Chicken with Artichoke & Roasted Red Pepper Panini

Need a quick snack or lite lunch? Try serving this Panini with your favorite tossed or fruit salad. Your company will LOVE it! Takes about 40 minutes to prepare. You could even prepare everything ahead of time and just grill them later! Easily freezable in zip lock freezer bags and perfect for unexpected company! (This is a Crooked Acres Crafts favorite when some of my favorite customers come by to visit! They go GREAT with Margarita's!)

Ingredients:
*4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves *1 teaspoon salt *2 jars (6 oz.) marinated artichoke hearts *1/2 teaspoon pepper *8 cups thinly sliced red onion *1/2 cup mayonnaise *1-1/2 cups grated Asiago cheese *2 large cloves garlic, minced *2 teaspoons grated lemon zest *1 teaspoon dried oregano *1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper *2 tablespoons olive oil *8 center slices (3/4-inch thick) panini *1 Jar (6 oz.) Roasted Red Peppers *lemon slices *parsley sprigs

Directions:
With meat tenderizer, pound chicken to 1/4-inch thickness. Season with salt and pepper.
Drain artichokes, reserving juice. In large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, place 6 tablespoons reserved artichoke liquid. Add onions and cook, stirring often, about 30 minutes or until caramelized; keep warm. While that is carmelizing, coarsely chop artichokes and place in small (2 Cup capacity) bowl. Stir in mayonnaise, cheese, garlic, lemon zest, oregano and pepper; set aside. Also, in a large saute pan over medium-high heat, place olive oil. Add chicken and cook about 4 minutes per side. Spread Artichoke mixture on 4 slices bread and top with hot chicken, carmelized onion and remaining bread slices. Brush both sides of sandwiches with some of remaining reserved artichoke juice and bake in a panini press (you can use a waffle griddle or grill similar to the George Foreman grills), until cheese is melted and bread is lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Cut into quarters and garnish with lemon slices and parsley. Serve while hot!
Makes 4 servings (or 8 if you do halfsies!).


This sturdy aluminum tenderizer has a flat side for pounding and textured side for tenderizing. The soft, non-slip handle cushions your hand and absorbs pressure. It's a TERRIFIC stress reliever, too! LOL! Wash by hand.

Just as an FYI, I want you all to know that I don't get paid for promoting these stores or items on my blog. I just find great deals, rare items and neat stuff to pass onto you. Saving you time and money! That's what friends are for, after all!
See you soon!
Michelle