Can you cook chicken on panini press?

Cooking chicken on a panini press is possible, but it requires some special considerations. A panini press is designed primarily for grilled sandwiches, so cooking poultry on one requires a bit of creativity. With the right techniques and preparations, you can make some delicious chicken dishes using this handy countertop appliance.

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The Benefits of Using a Panini Press for Chicken

While panini presses are not the most obvious choice for cooking chicken, there are some advantages to using one:

Convenience – Panini presses are quick and easy to use. You don’t have to heat up the oven or grill to cook chicken on a panini press.
Compact size – Panini presses don’t take up much counter space and are easy to store.
Versatility – A panini press can be used to cook chicken in different ways like grilling, pressing, toasting etc.

Portability – Smaller panini press models are lightweight and portable to take along for camping trips, tailgates etc.

So if you want a quick weeknight chicken dinner or need an easy cooking option while traveling, a panini press can be quite handy.

How to Cook Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are one of the easiest ways to cook chicken on a panini press. Here are some tips for cooking the chicken safely and getting it cooked through without drying it out:

Prepare the chicken – Pound the chicken breasts to an even 1/2 inch thickness so they cook evenly. Season them with salt, pepper and any other spices you want.
Use parchment paper – Place a piece of parchment paper on the bottom grill plate. This prevents the chicken from sticking.
Add a little oil – Lightly brush or spray both the parchment paper and the chicken with a little bit of oil. This helps prevent sticking.

Cook through – Close the lid and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes, until cooked through. Check for doneness by cutting into the thickest part of a breast.

You can cook 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts at a time on most standard-sized panini presses. Just make sure not to overload the grill surface.

How to Cook Bone-In Chicken Pieces

For bone-in chicken pieces like breasts, thighs or legs, the cooking method is similar but the cook time will be a little longer. Follow these guidelines:

Prepare the chicken – Season the chicken as desired. To help flatten, place chicken pieces between sheets of plastic wrap or wax paper and gently pound to an even thickness.
Use parchment paper – Place parchment paper on grill plate.
Brush with oil – Lightly oil the parchment and chicken.

Cook through – Close lid and cook for 8-12 minutes until chicken is fully cooked. Chicken thighs and legs will take longer than breasts. Check frequently for doneness.

Since bone-in pieces are thicker, only cook 1 or 2 pieces at a time. Overcrowding will prevent thorough cooking.

How to Grill Boneless Chicken

For boneless chicken with nice grill marks, use a grill press panini:

Prepare chicken – Pound chicken to an even thickness and season as desired.
Don’t use parchment – The chicken can stick directly to the grill plate to get sear marks.
Brush with oil – Lightly oil chicken and grill plate.

Use grill press – Close lid and lock grill press down over chicken as it cooks.
Cook time – Cook for 5-7 minutes until done. Check frequently.

The grill press helps brand the chicken with char marks. Just be sure to thoroughly scrape and clean the grill plates after for next use.

How to Make Chicken Paninis

You can also use a panini press like a grill to make hot pressed chicken sandwiches:

Prepare chicken – Grill or cook chicken pieces first until heated through.
Assemble panini – Layer grilled chicken slices on ciabatta, focaccia or other artisan bread. Add cheese slices, roasted peppers or other sandwich toppings.

Brush outsides – Lightly brush or spray outside of sandwich with oil to help grill.
Cook panini – Place sandwich on preheated panini press. Close lid to press down. Cook for 4-5 minutes until bread is toasted and fillings melted.

The press action gives you an evenly heated and melted chicken panini perfect for lunch or a quick dinner.

Tips for Cooking Chicken on Panini Press

Here are some additional tips to ensure success when cooking chicken on a panini press:

Always fully preheat the panini press before cooking.
Use thinner chicken breast cuts or pound them to an even thickness so they cook evenly.

Brush both the grill and the chicken lightly with oil. Canola, olive oil or nonstick spray all work well.
Close the lid and press down when cooking. This promotes even cooking and grill marks.
Do not overfill the panini press. Cook chicken in batches if needed.

Let the panini press reheat for 2-3 minutes between batches for best results.
Check chicken frequently to avoid overcooking. Cut into thickest section to test for doneness.

Cleaning Your Panini Press After Cooking Chicken

It’s important to thoroughly clean your panini press after cooking chicken. Follow these steps:

Unplug the press and let it cool completely.
Open the press and scrape off any stuck on food debris with a nonabrasive spatula or brush.
Wipe the grill plates down with paper towels, warm water and mild dish soap. Do not submerge press in water.

Scrub gently with a nylon brush or non-abrasive sponge to remove grease and bits.
Rinse plates with clean paper towels or cloth.
Dry thoroughly before closing and storing.

You may need to repeat cleaning if there is a lot of built up grease or charred bits on the grill plates. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or scouring pads which can damage the cooking surface.

Conclusion

While panini presses are not designed specifically for cooking chicken, they can be used to make delicious chicken dishes with some creativity. Boneless chicken breasts, bone-in pieces, grilled chicken and even chicken paninis are all options. Pound the meat to an even thickness, use parchment paper to prevent sticking and brush with oil. Cook chicken in batches, watch closely to avoid overcooking and be sure to thoroughly clean the press after each use. With some practice, a panini press can be a quick, convenient way to cook up tasty chicken any night of the week.