This fennel chicken cheddar panini is savory, crunchy and refreshing all at once.
I hate licorice. Actually, hate is a very mellow way of putting it. Despise would be better. Doesn’t matter if it’s red, black, purple, yellow or neon green, (and now the scene in Wizard of Oz with the horses changing color is stuck in my head) it’s all the same kind of disgusting.
So you might be wondering why the heck I’m throwing a fennel panini in your face when most would say fennel tastes like licorice.
Me too.
Here’s the thing, I love fennel.
First of all, how can you not love something as crazy-ass looking as that? I look at it and see a Mickey Mouse head crossed with a furry little alien. It’s freaky and cute at the same time.
I have no good explanation for why the candy can repulse me and yet this bulb, vegetable, whatever it is can taste so delicious while imparting the same flavor.
Maybe it’s my general aversion to candy (just to be clear candy does not include chocolate) or maybe I’m just weird.
Most likely both.
After munching on half the bulb while putting together a random panini for lunch, I decided to throw in some of the fennel for the heck of it.
For a last minute decision, it definitely stole the show flavor wise with it’s bold licorice-y taste. Next time, I’ll try pickled fennel in this panini for some zip. I think it would complement the savory and sweet flavors perfectly.
Things I would suggest doing while making a fennel panini:
1. Definitely add apple + cheddar. The added crunch is fun and the cheese helps mellow out the fennel a bit.
2. Butter your toast. Always. It makes all the difference in “paninifying”
3. Don’t wipe off the crumbs from the 15 inch serrated bread knife with your fingers and expect not to slice half way through one of them.
Just some basics, you know?
But even if #3 does happen, the result is still worth it and better for you than the candy.
Fennel Chicken Cheddar Panini
Ingredients
- 2 slices of whole wheat bread
- 1/2 a small apple, sliced
- 1/4 cup fennel, sliced
- 1/4 cup cooked shredded chicken
- 4 slices sharp cheddar
- 3-4 basil leaves
- butter
Instructions
- Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread.
- Layer all the other ingredients on the reverse side of the bread and form a sandwich.
- Press in a panini maker or in a skillet using something heavy to press down on the top of the sandwich until the cheese starts melting and the bread is toasted and brown.
- Enjoy warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
ok, so I hate licorice too but since you do too and you added fennel to this panini, I agree I must try this sometime and get over myself and try something new. I love paninis and anything melted within 2 slices of bread. this looks so good!! i like that the fennel taste goes so well with apple, i can just taste it!! oh btw, come help me make photo boards :)
Great way to add in some extra veggies! Also, I love your presentation. What kind of camera do you use?
I use a Canon T3 with a 50mm f1.8 lens.
I despise licorice and all of that licorice flavored liquor like Ouzo. Or is that anise? Whatever, I hate it. But I love fennel! I would eat this in a second.
I really like fennel, especially when it’s paired well, and this looks so yummy. It’s one of those veggies I rarely buy unless I have a recipe in mind… I’m gonna pick some up! If it’s between bread with cheese, I could probably even get my 2yo to eat it! :)
And now I’m craving a panini and twizzlers… Thankfully it’s almost lunch time!
I hate black licorice for 364 days out of the year, but there’s always this one day where I will randomly get an intense craving and have to stop at the nearest TJ’s/CVS/whatever and buy a bag. Then I proceed to stuff my face for about 30 seconds before I decide that I once again hate it and throw the rest in the trash. I have no idea what my problem is.
i hate licorice sticks too and do not understand how some people can stand to snack on it when they’re bored, include it in their lunch sack, whatever… i don’t like it. i like licorice tea though. :) when i was about 11-12, i decided to stop eating candy (hard candy, lollipops, Skittles… that kind of candy). chocolates, Snickers bars, and Reese’s cups are not candy to me though. i love fennel but have never cooked with it, so thank you for the reminder that i need to watch out for it the store or market. :) yummy looking panini!
I hate black licorice with a passion. (red I like but that’s b/c it’s made with red dye #40 and HFCS..lol)
But I seriously LOVE fennel. Crazy but true. I dont think fennel and black licorice taste similar and am always like huh? when people compare the two! Resemblance? maybe. But they are very different to me. Glad I’m not the only one!
HOLY YUM.
And I admit I didn’t make this and I gave you a 5 on the rating. Why? Because you put apple and cheese on a sandwich (one of my favorite combos) AND gave me the idea to add fennel.
I love black licorice AND fennel. Did you know fennel helps ease digestion problems? I add fennel seeds by the pound to our sausage pasta sauce (which Mark hates … but too bad!).
haha, I love how you now justify yourself when rating the recipes after my little rant ;)
You know it! I would have never even thought to actually rate a recipe before trying it (or remember to come back and rate it after I’ve tried it).
Fennel definitely takes some getting used to for me. I tried it once in a lasagna and it wasn’t my favorite – but I also despise licorice.