Waldorf Salad Chicken Panini

By PattyA

Your Waldorf salad goes a long way in this recipe for Waldorf Salad Chicken Panini. If you don't have a panini press you can use two skillets just as easily with the same delicious results!

Ingredients

• 1 (2 1/2 to 3 pound) whole chicken, giblets removed and rinsed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
• 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 2 carrots, roughly chopped
• 1 celery stalk, roughly chopped, plus 1/2 cup 1/4-inch-diced celery
• 1/2 lemon, sliced
• 1/2 onion, roughly chopped
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs, leaves removed
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup whipped cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3/4 cup seedless purple grapes, halved
• 1 Gala (or other crisp) apple, cored and cut into 1/4-inch dice
• 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped
• 1 (16-ounce) herbed focaccia, cut into equal quarters

Details

Servings 6
Preparation time 15mins
Cooking time 120mins

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub the exterior and cavity liberally with the olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the garlic, carrots, celery stalk, lemon, onion and thyme. Tie the legs tightly with kitchen twine and fold the wing tips under the breasts. Place on a roasting rack in a deep pan and into oven. Roast until a digital read thermometer registers 165°F and the juices run clear, about 1 1/2 hours. Remove and cool.

Once cooled enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones. Shred against the grain with two forks. Cool completely.

Whisk the mayonnaise, cream cheese and lemon juice in a large mixing bowl for about 30 seconds. Add the chicken, diced celery, grapes and apples. Toss to evenly coat. Fold in the walnuts, parsley and tarragon until thoroughly incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.

To assemble, use a preheated panini press on the highest setting. If unavailable, bring the oven to 400°F and use two cast-iron skillets to form a press.

Cut the focaccia quarters in half with a sharp serrated knife and arrange on a prepared surface. Spoon about 1 1/4 cups of the chicken salad onto each bottom half. Replace the top half. Place onto the press and crisp until the bread is golden on both sides, 3 to 5 minutes. If using skillets, place the sandwich into the bottom pan, place the second skillet bottom on top of the sandwich and crisp, flipping halfway through the cooking process.

To serve: Remove the sandwiches from the press or oven to a prepared surface. Cut in half diagonally with a sharp serrated knife and arrange on serving plates. Enjoy immediately.