Herbed Chicken and Cheese Panini

 

1

tablespoon butter or margarine, softened

1

tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, basil, thyme, oregano)

2

boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin (about 1/2 lb)

Salt and pepper to taste, if desired

1

tablespoon olive oil

1/2

cup sliced red onion (about 1/2 medium onion)

2

(7-inch) pocketless pita breads or flatbreads, each cut in half

4

slices sharp Cheddar cheese (about 1 oz each)

1

medium tomato, thinly sliced

• 1 In small bowl, mix butter and herbs until blended; set aside.
• 2 Season chicken with salt and pepper. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Cook chicken in oil about 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until no longer pink in center. Remove chicken from skillet; set aside and keep warm. To same skillet, add onion; cook about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Remove onion from skillet, set aside. Reduce heat to medium.
• 3 Spread generous half teaspoon herbed butter on outside of all of 4 bread halves. Place 2 halves in heated skillet, buttered side down. Top each with 1 slice cheese, 1 chicken breast, half of the onion and sliced tomato, and another slice cheese. Top with remaining pita bread halves.
• 4 Cook about 2 minutes, pressing down with spatula, until bottom is golden brown. Turn; cook about 2 minutes longer, pressing again with spatula, until cheese is melted. To serve, cut each sandwich in half.