Ingredients
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, tenders removed
1 ¼ pound chunk fontina Val d'Aosta or other easy melting cheese, like provolone
For the Spice Sprinkle:
2 teaspoons each: salt, pepper, granulated garlic, granulated onion and fennel seeds or fennel pollen
1 teaspoon ground pepperoncini or red pepper flakes
Non-aerosol cooking spray
6 round or oval flat panini rolls or ciabatta rolls, split OR three 12-14-inch sub rolls, halved then split OR plain focaccia, cut into large rectangles and split
1 bulb fennel, trimmed and very thinly sliced or mandolin cut
2 small red onions, thinly sliced
2 sweet green or red frying peppers, cubanelle or red field peppers, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 cup chicken broth or stock
Preparation
Serves: 4 to 6
Place chicken in freezer for 10 to 15 minutes, then, using a very sharp knife, horizontally thinly slice each breast into 5 to 6 cutlets.
Thinly slice the cheese or shred on large-tooth grater.
Combine spice sprinkle.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, spray with oil and cook chicken in single layer in batches. As you add the thin slices to the pan, sprinkle with spice, cook a minute or 2, then flip and season the other side; remove to a tray. When all the chicken is cooked, add more oil and the vegetables, season with salt and pepper and soften and toss 4 to 5 minutes. Add stock and let it fully absorb, further softening the vegetables.
Preheat a panini press to 390°F or heat a cast-iron skillet over medium to medium-high.
Build sandwiches: bread, chicken, vegetables, cheese, bread.
Press sandwiches to melt cheese and toast bread crust.
