Remember that time I tried to recreate my favorite Panera sandwich at home? Yeah, it took me three attempts to get this chipotle chicken avocado melt just right! But let me tell you, when I finally nailed it, Emily and I devoured two of these bad boys in one sitting. (No judgment, please!)
This copycat panera chipotle chicken avocado melt brings all those smoky, creamy, melty flavors right to your kitchen. The combination of BBQ chicken, fresh avocado, melted Colby jack cheese, and that signature chipotle mayo creates the perfect comfort food sandwich. And the best part? You can make it in just 15 minutes!
The secret to this sandwich is the chipotle adobo sauce mixed with mayo - it's what gives that distinctive Panera flavor we all love. Plus, cooking it with steam helps create that perfectly melted, gooey cheese that makes each bite absolutely irresistible.
If you're a fan of chipotle flavors like I am, you'll also love my creamy chipotle chicken recipe and chipotle chicken pasta recipe for dinner inspiration.
Why You Will Love This Copycat Panera Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt
- Ready in 15 minutes - Perfect for busy weekday lunches or quick dinners
- Restaurant-quality taste at home without the restaurant prices
- Simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen
- Crispy exterior with melty, gooey interior just like the original
- Fresh avocado adds the perfect creamy texture
- Smoky chipotle flavor that's not too spicy but full of depth
Ingredients For Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt
2 tablespoon butter (divided and softened) 2 slices of sourdough bread (or other sliced white bread) 2 tablespoon mayonnaise 3 teaspoon canned chipotle adobo sauce (divided) ½ cup shredded colby jack cheese 1 ½ Fresh California Avocados (ripe, thinly sliced) ½ cup cooked shredded chicken 2 tablespoon bbq sauce
Instructions For Making Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt
Prep The Bread and Butter
- Spread 1 tablespoon of butter thinly on one side of each sourdough bread slice and set aside. Place the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter into a heavy bottom skillet and set aside.
Make The Chipotle Mayo
- In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise and chipotle adobo sauce. Smear chipotle mayo evenly onto both sides of the unbuttered side of bread.
Build The Sandwich
- On one bread slice, sprinkle the shredded Colby jack cheese evenly.
- Top cheese with ½ fresh California avocado, thinly sliced.
- In a small bowl, mix together shredded chicken and 2 tablespoon of BBQ sauce until well combined. Add the chicken onto the other slice of bread and put the slices together to form a sandwich.
Cook The Perfect Melt
- Heat heavy bottom skillet on medium heat until the butter is melted. Add the sandwich to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side on medium heat or until the bottom is golden brown.
- Add in 1 tablespoon of water to the bottom of the pan and place a lid over the sandwich. The steam from the water will help melt the cheese and make the sandwich cheesy and gooey. Remove from pan and serve with a pickle and/or tomato soup.
Storage & Reheating
This chipotle chicken avocado melt is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers (unlikely!), here's how to store them:
Store wrapped in foil in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The avocado may brown slightly, but it's still delicious.
To reheat, place in a skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes per side, or use a panini press. Avoid the microwave as it will make the bread soggy.
Variations For Your Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt
Ready to mix things up? Here are some of my favorite ways to customize this sandwich:
Add Bacon: Honestly, always a solid choice! I love adding bacon to a sandwich for extra flavor and heartiness. It pairs perfectly with the chipotle flavors.
Cheese Swaps: Try any of your favorite melty cheeses. Cheddar, Fontina, and Gouda are all fantastic options that melt beautifully.
Different Bread: You can use any hearty white bread. If you don't love sourdough, try focaccia, ciabatta, or sliced French bread.
Spice Level: Want more heat? Add an extra teaspoon of chipotle adobo sauce to the mayo. For less spice, start with just 2 teaspoons.
Similar to my chipotle honey chicken, this recipe is all about balancing that smoky heat with creamy, cooling elements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt
The key ingredients include butter, sourdough bread, mayonnaise, canned chipotle adobo sauce, Colby jack cheese, fresh California avocados, shredded chicken, and BBQ sauce.
The chipotle adobo sauce is really the star here - it's what gives this sandwich its signature smoky flavor.
This sandwich is definitely indulgent at 1700 calories, but it does provide 54g of protein and 24g of fiber from the avocado. The avocado also adds healthy monounsaturated fats.
It's best enjoyed as an occasional treat rather than an everyday meal. For a healthier option, you could use less cheese or serve it as a half sandwich.
This melt features BBQ chicken mixed with sauce, fresh sliced avocado, melted Colby jack cheese, and chipotle mayo made with adobo sauce, all grilled between buttered sourdough bread. The combination creates the perfect balance of smoky, creamy, and savory flavors.
Mix mayo with chipotle adobo sauce, combine chicken with BBQ sauce, layer with cheese and avocado on buttered sourdough, then grill in a skillet for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
The key is using that steam method with a tablespoon of water and a lid to get perfectly melted cheese.
Tips For The Best Results
Want to make this copycat panera chipotle chicken avocado melt even better? Here are my tried-and-true tips:
- Use rotisserie chicken - It's already seasoned and saves time. I always keep some on hand for quick meals like this and my chipotle chicken burrito recipe.
- Choose ripe avocados - They should give slightly when pressed but not be mushy. Slice them just before assembling to prevent browning.
- Don't skip the steam step - That tablespoon of water and lid trick is what makes the cheese perfectly melty and gooey.
- Keep heat at medium - Too high and you'll burn the bread before the cheese melts. Too low and you won't get that crispy exterior.
Have you ever tried making your own chipotle mayo? Once you do, you'll want to put it on everything!
Recipes You May Like
- Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas - Another quick and delicious chicken sandwich option
- Bacon Breakfast Burrito - Perfect for breakfast or brunch with similar hearty vibes
- Philly Cheesesteak Sliders - For when you want another melty, satisfying sandwich
Conclusion
This chipotle chicken avocado melt recipe brings all the flavors of Panera's beloved sandwich right to your kitchen. The smoky chipotle mayo, melted Colby jack cheese, fresh avocado, and BBQ chicken create the perfect harmony of flavors and textures. Plus, at just 15 minutes from start to finish, it's way faster than driving to Panera!
I love making these on lazy Sunday afternoons - they're comfort food at its finest. The combination reminds me of my creamy garlic parmesan chicken but in sandwich form. Give this recipe a try and let me know how it turns out! Save this to Pinterest so you can find it easily when that chipotle craving hits.
Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt
Equipment
- Heavy bottom skillet
- Small Bowl
- Lid for skillet
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon butter divided and softened
- 2 slices sourdough bread or other sliced white bread
- 2 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 3 teaspoon canned chipotle adobo sauce divided
- ½ cup shredded colby jack cheese
- 1.5 Fresh California Avocados ripe, thinly sliced
- ½ cup cooked shredded chicken
- 2 tablespoon bbq sauce
Instructions
- Spread 1 tablespoon of butter thinly on one side of each sourdough bread slice and set aside. Place the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter into a heavy bottom skillet and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise and chipotle adobo sauce. Smear chipotle mayo evenly onto both sides of the unbuttered side of bread.
- On one bread slice, sprinkle the shredded Colby jack cheese evenly.
- Top cheese with ½ fresh California avocado, thinly sliced.
- In a small bowl, mix together shredded chicken and 2 tablespoon of BBQ sauce until well combined. Add the chicken onto the other slice of bread and put the slices together to form a sandwich.
- Heat heavy bottom skillet on medium heat until the butter is melted. Add the sandwich to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side on medium heat or until the bottom is golden brown.
- Add in 1 tablespoon of water to the bottom of the pan and place a lid over the sandwich. The steam from the water will help melt the cheese and make the sandwich cheesy and gooey. Remove from pan and serve with a pickle and/or tomato soup.
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