Mediterranean Chicken Panini

Course: Entrees
Difficulty: Moderate
Pulse Type: Chickpeas
Occasion: Mediterranean Diet, Sandwiches and Wraps
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
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Ingredients

Panini:

  • 1 chicken breast boneless, skinless; pounded to even thickness
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp oregano dried
  • 1/4 tsp thyme dried
  • 1/4 tsp basil dried
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 6 slices provolone cheese
  • 1/4 cup olives kalamata; halved (optional)
  • 1/3 roasted red peppers
  • 6 slices bread whole grain wheat

Split Pea Hummus:

  • 1 cup split peas, green dried
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice fresh squeezed
  • 2 tsp garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp pepper or to taste
  • 1/3 cup olive oil

Instructions

  1. Place split peas in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and allow to simmer for about 20 minutes until very tender. Drain well and transfer to a food processor.
  2. Add lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper to food processor. Pulse until combined. Continue to pulse while gradually pouring in olive oil. Pulse until smooth.
  3. Place chicken in a medium bowl. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, and basil and toss to combine. Grill chicken over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes on each side until cooked through. (Alternately you can cook chicken on stove or bake if you prefer)
  4. Chop chicken into ½-inch pieces and set aside.
  5. Spread hummus on one slice of bread. Top with chicken, then with two slices of provolone cheese, and top with second slice of bread. (If desired, you can top chicken with kalamata olives and roasted red peppers before second slice of bread)
  6. Grill sandwiches in a panini press or George foreman for about 5 minutes or until cheese is completely melted. Serve immediately.