Mesquite Grilled Chicken Panini w/ Spinach Herb Spread

Yesterday was one of those days where nothing looks good to eat, your fridge is running empty, and you really just don't have the ambition to make anything....at all. But, our hunger got the better of us, so I forged ahead and made dinner.

I had put out two frozen chicken breasts to thaw that morning, not having any idea what I was going to do with them. By mid-afternoon, I finally decided to think about them (by then they were back in the fridge), and I eventually landed on some grilled chicken.

I seasoned them up, cooked them on my handy grill pan, and cut them into strips. Mind you, I still had no idea what I was going to do with them, until I noticed some pepper jack cheese that needed to be used up and some spinach/herb dip mix sitting among my spices. Bingo....panini!

I LOVE a good sandwich, anyone knows that, so anytime I get the chance to change it up a little I do. And I LOVE my panini press, which I think I've already told you....

Now, the spread I made is from a Tastefully Simple seasoning mix. I know some of you out there (especially if you aren't from the Midwest) haven't heard of Tastefully Simple, so upon reading the ingredients on the bottle it is very doable to make on your own - all it contains is spinach flakes, onion, minced green onion, dill and garlic. Next time I might just make it homemade myself.

Mesquite Grilled Chicken Panini w/ Spinach Herb Spread

2 chicken breasts rubbed with Lawry's, cumin and chili powder

4 slices whole grain bread

4 slices pepper jack cheese

2 T. spinach/herb spread

To make the spread: combine 2 T. of seasoning mix (Tastefully Simple's or your own) along with 1/2 c. light sour cream and 1/2 c. light mayo. Set in fridge to chill.

Spread bread with spinach herb mix, sliced mesquite chicken and cheese. Press into panini maker (or griddle if you aren't fortunate to have one!), and grill until golden brown and both cheeses are oozing out the sides.

Trust me, it is delicious. I wish the picture I had did it better justice.

Now, after all this hard work on my meal idea for the day, my husband comes home and announces he'll just have a "salad and leftover meat from our french dip sandwiches yesterday". Ugh. Thankfully he added some of my chicken to his salad. I'm proud to say I had a panini AND a salad, as I wasn't going to eat roast beef for the third meal in a row.

Can you eat leftovers over and over again? I can eat them about twice and then I'm done. Unless it is chili, then that rule is thrown out.