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15-Minute Chicken Banh Mi Pizza Panini
The secret here is using a folded frozen cheese pizza as the crispy exterior for a Vietnamese-inspired sandwich. You'll stuff the crust with shredded chicken, crisp carrots, red bell peppers, and savory peanut sauce before pressing it until golden brown. A quick trip to the panini maker melts the cheese and toasts the outside perfectly. It's a fun, unexpected lunch when you're craving something completely different.
Ingredients
- 1 frozen crisp crust cheese pizza (9.8 oz)
- 3 tablespoons peanut sauce
- ⅓ cup shredded cooked chicken
- ⅓ cup shredded carrot
- ¼ cup diced red bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
- 1Preheat a contact grill or panini maker for 3 to 5 minutes. Unwrap the frozen pizza and set it on a microwave-safe plate.
- 2Microwave the pizza uncovered on the defrost setting for 2 to 3 minutes, stopping as soon as the crust is pliable enough to fold. Don't overheat it, or the crust will become too stiff to bend.
- 3Transfer the thawed pizza to a flat surface. Spread 2 tablespoons of peanut sauce over one half of the crust. Layer the shredded chicken, carrots, and bell peppers evenly over the sauce, then fold the pizza in half to cover the filling.
- 4Place the folded pizza onto the preheated grill. Close the lid and cook for about 5 minutes, until the cheese melts, the crust turns golden brown, and the center reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove it from the grill.
- 5Carefully open the hot panini slightly and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of fresh cilantro inside. Drizzle the top with the remaining peanut sauce and cilantro, then cut in half.
Notes
- Flavor tip: Pick your favorite brand of peanut sauce for this panini. We recommend choosing one with a hint of spice for the best flavor.
- Equipment swap: If you don't own a contact grill, you can cook this panini in a skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side.