Panera Bread is a popular bakery-cafe chain known for its freshly baked breads, sandwiches, soups and salads. One of Panera’s most popular menu items is the Frontega Chicken Panini – a grilled sandwich featuring chicken raised without antibiotics, Frontega Panini bread and special Frontega Chipotle sauce.
What is Frontega?
Frontega is a brand of all-natural and organic chickens and turkey products produced by Perdue Farms. The Frontega chickens are:
- Raised without antibiotics
- Fed an all-vegetarian diet with no animal by-products
- Humanely raised with plenty of room to roam on family farms
- No growth hormones or steroids
In addition to fresh chicken, Frontega also offers products like chicken sausages, chicken strips, chicken nuggets and sliced deli meat. Panera Bread uses Frontega chicken breast meat for sandwiches like the Frontega Chicken Panini.
Frontega Standards
As part of the Frontega brand, the chickens meet certain standards for humane treatment and environmental sustainability:
- Chickens are cage-free with access to the outdoors
- Farms meet certification standards for animal welfare
- Vegetarian diet to reduce environmental impact
- Third-party audited and verified production practices
By using Frontega chicken, Panera can offer sandwiches made from humanely raised poultry produced in a sustainable way.
Frontega Chicken Panini Details
The Frontega Chicken Panini from Panera contains the following ingredients:
Chicken
- Frontega roasted chicken breast (no antibiotics ever)
Bread
- Frontega Artisan Bread – dough made with wheat flour, water, yeast, salt
Cheese
- Asiago cheese
Sauce
- Frontega Chipotle Sauce
Vegetables
- Tomatoes
- Baby spinach
- Red onions
The sandwich brings together the star ingredient of Frontega chicken breast with melted Asiago cheese, tomatoes, spinach, red onions and a smoky, slightly spicy chipotle sauce on Panera’s signature hearty Frontega bread.
Nutrition Information
Here is the nutrition information for a Frontega Chicken Panini from Panera Bread:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 600 |
| Total Fat | 16g |
| Saturated Fat | 4.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 75mg |
| Sodium | 1280mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 71g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Total Sugars | 8g |
| Added Sugars | 0g |
| Protein | 44g |
As you can see, the Frontega Chicken Panini provides 44g of protein along with some fat, carbs, and other essential vitamins and minerals. The sandwich packs a substantial amount of protein thanks to the Frontega chicken breast.
Cooking Method
Panera Bread uses a combination of methods to cook the Frontega chicken and assemble the panini:
- The chicken breast is oven roasted in Panera’s kitchens each morning to lock in moisture and flavor.
- The Frontega Chipotle Sauce is made in-house with a blend of tomatoes, chipotle peppers, garlic, lime juice and spices.
- Bread is baked fresh in each cafe throughout the day.
- Cheese is sliced, and vegetables are chopped and prepared fresh.
- To assemble the panini, chicken is placed on the bottom half of the bread. Cheese, tomato slices, spinach, red onion and sauce are added on top.
- The sandwich is pressed on a hot grill to melt the cheese and toast the bread while warming the fillings.
This cooking and assembly process allows Panera to serve a hot, freshly made panini with quality ingredients.
Cost
The Frontega Chicken Panini is one of the pricier menu options at Panera. Here’s how much it costs as of October 2023:
- Frontega Chicken Panini (full size): $11.99
- Frontega Chicken Panini (half size): $9.99
The half sandwich is a more affordable option for customers looking for a lighter meal. The full size makes a hearty lunch or dinner.
Prices may be slightly lower for Panera rewards members. Joining MyPanera rewards can help you save on the Frontega Chicken Panini and other favorites.
Reviews
The Frontega Chicken Panini gets high marks in Panera’s customer reviews. Here are some of the most common compliments:
- Chicken is juicy and flavorful
- Bread is crispy on the outside, soft inside
- Panini has a good balance of flavors
- Chipotle sauce adds a tasty kick
- Quality ingredients are noticeable
Most reviews mention the generous portion size and say the panini makes for a satisfying meal. Some critiques are that the price is on the high side, and a few customers find it a bit messy or tricky to eat as a sandwich. Overall though, the flavors and ingredients get rave reviews.
Positive Review
“The Frontega chicken is so juicy and delicious! You can really taste the difference of higher quality chicken. I loved the mix of ingredients in this panini, especially the smoky chipotle sauce. The bread had such a great crunch on the outside and was perfectly soft inside. Definitely one of my go-to meals when I’m at Panera.”
Constructive Review
“Really enjoyed the flavors in the Frontega Chicken Panini but found it a bit tricky to pick up and eat as a sandwich without ingredients spilling out. Might be easier to eat with a fork and knife. The bread and chicken were both very high quality though.Next time I might do a half portion.”
Based on the reviews, the Frontega Chicken Panini has a winning combination of ingredients and fantastic flavor. It stands out as a customer favorite at Panera Bread.
Alternatives
Some alternatives to consider if you’re looking for options similar to the Frontega Chicken Panini:
Steak & Arugula Panini
- Sliced steak, arugula, Asiago cheese, mustard horseradish sauce
Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt
- Chipotle chicken, avocado, Monterey cheddar, chipotle sauce on sourdough
Napa Almond Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Chicken salad with almonds, grapes, arugula on salad roll
Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich
- Zesty hummus, cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, feta, balsamic vinaigrette on tomato basil
All of these provide flavors and ingredients similar to the Frontega panini. The steak and napa chicken salad are good options if you want another protein-packed sandwich. The veggie sandwich lets you change up the protein and try plant-based instead.
Conclusion
The Frontega Chicken Panini from Panera is made from humanely raised, antibiotic-free chicken and high quality ingredients. This popular menu item combines the delicious Frontega chicken breast with melted Asiago cheese, smoky chipotle sauce, tomatoes, spinach and onions on freshly baked Frontega Artisan Bread.
With 600 calories and 44g of protein, it makes for a hearty and nutritious meal any time of day. Customer reviews highlight the juicy chicken flavor, perfect bread crunch and great blend of ingredients. While one of the pricier menu options at $11.99, the quality is noticeable and worth the occasional splurge. The Frontega Chicken Panini is a go-to favorite at Panera Bread.