Panera Bread sandwiches make the perfect lunch. But if you’re anything like me, you lock in on one sandwich and never try anything else.
So maybe it’s time to break away from your usual lunch order and try something new?
Unfortunately, not all of their sandwiches are slam dunks (I’m looking at you, deli turkey sandwich).
They’re all fantastic lunch options, but some are better than others.
With that in mind, I’ve compiled a not-so-scientific ranking of Panera’s sandwiches and saved the best for last.
Did your favorite sandwich show up as number one?
Check out this ranking of Panera Bread sandwiches to find out!
Panera Bread Sandwiches
17. Signature Take Chicken Sandwich
This healthy alternative to a fried chicken salad has the making of something special, but the ingredients just do not jive.
The signature take chicken sandwich pairs a seared chicken breast that doesn’t have that satisfying crunch of fried chicken.
The sandwich’s garlic aioli and Parmesan crisps are promising but very overpowering.
Of course, the sweet brioche bun tastes great!
16. Deli Turkey Sandwich
The deli turkey sandwich suffers from a serious case of the ‘basics.’ There’s no sparkle, no tasty condiments, no wow flavor.
This classic sandwich pairs unremarkable deli turkey, tomato, lettuce, onion, mayo, and mustard. (Sad trombone noise.)
The one redeeming factor of this sandwich is Panera’s sourdough bread. It has the perfect tang with a delicate, spongy texture and crisp crust.
15. Smoky Buffalo Chicken Melt
The smoky buffalo chicken melt is all sizzle and no steak. Or, in this case, all toasted baguette and no chicken.
It pairs shredded chicken coated in smoky buffalo sauce with red onions. Sounds good, right?
And then, they top it with a slice of American cheese.
The chicken-to-bread ratio is a little off in this sammie. In fact, it’s mostly bread, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s just not very filling.
14. Tuna Salad Sandwich
Once upon a time, you might see Panera’s tuna salad sandwich hang out at the top. But recently, it’s fallen from grace.
To be honest, it’s perfectly fine, although Panera is a little heavy-handed with the mayo.
In recent years, the portions have been a little sad. They don’t pile it in the way they used to.
However, the pepper focaccia bread is ultra buttery and delicious, saving this simple sammie.
13. Spicy Take Chicken Sandwich
If you must try Panera’s chicken sandwich, choose the spicy version over the signature.
While the spicy take still uses the same seared chicken breast, the sauce and toppings are tasty.
This sandwich pairs spicy buffalo sauce and fried pickle chips, which is a nice touch. And that slightly sweet brioche bun pairs wonderfully with the spicy sauce.
My suggestion? Give this sandwich a try, but hold the garlic aioli.
12. Deli Ham Sandwich
If you love cold deli sandwiches for lunch, go for the ham rather than the turkey.
Panera’s black forest ham is surprisingly good. It’s salty, smoky, and delivers the perfect amount of sweetness.
Simple toppings like tomatoes, onion, green, and mustard make this classic a light lunch.
I especially love pairing the black forest ham with their sourdough bread. The bread gives this sandwich a little something extra.
11. Pepperoni Mozzarella Melt
If pepperoni pizza is your jam, you can’t go wrong with this toasty pepperoni mozzarella melt.
This melty pizza sandwich delivers serious pizza vibes with salty pepperoni and melty mozzarella on a toasted baguette.
The only downside to this sandwich is it’s a lot of bread. The filling-to-bread ratio is a little off, especially if you love thin-crust pizza.
But for all my deep-dish lovers out there, the pepperoni mozzarella melt will hit the spot!
10. Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Panera knows that if they have soup on the menu, they’d better have grilled cheese!
The bread is perfectly crispy, and they are very liberal with American cheese. It’s gooey, delicious, and perfect for dunking.
The verdict: if you love grilled cheese, you must try Panera’s sandwich.
And if you want a little something extra, you can customize your order with toppings like bacon, extra cheese, or veggies.
When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with simple grilled cheese.
9. Toasted Frontega Chicken Sandwich
The toasted Frontega chicken sandwich is the perfect balance of bold flavors.
The smoky shredded chicken pairs with their chipotle mayo for a spiky kick.
And that black pepper focaccia? It’s the perfect bread choice for this unique sandwich.
The chicken and mayo are flavor-forward and combine with juicy tomatoes, onion, and greens.
The best part? Panera doesn’t skimp on the chicken. It’s one filling sandwich!
8. Napa Chicken Salad Sandwich
Panera makes its tasty chicken salad with white meat chicken, celery, red grapes, and slivers of toasty almonds.
Instead of mayo, they swap in their sweet and savory signature dressing. The salad is so delicious you don’t even need bread!
With the amazing sourdough bread, this chicken salad sandwich is a breakaway hit.
It’s the perfect light lunch that’s surprisingly filling.
7. Bacon Turkey Bravo Sandwich
Try the bacon turkey bravo if you want a simple deli sandwich.
The pairing of their turkey and bacon lifts the flavors of this sandwich and comes together with their signature sauce.
This sandwich also incorporates smoked gouda, which delivers a little extra kick of cheesy goodness.
And that tomato basil bread delivers a kick of sweetness that marries all the smoky and savory flavors.
6. Roasted Turkey and Avocado BLT
The roasted turkey and avocado BLT is one of Panera’s more filling sandwich options, packed with nutrition.
It uses roasted turkey strips instead of deli meat to deliver Thanksgiving vibes.
The turkey is flavorful, but added avocado, crispy bacon, and greens take it over the top.
And the textures are everything you want in a meaty sandwich. The avocado is smooth and creamy, and the bacon adds the perfect crunch.
Panera hit it out of the park with their roasted turkey and avocado BLT.
5. Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich
The Mediterranean veggie sandwich is my go-to when I want to keep calories low.
This classic is one of their most popular diet-friendly sandwiches but doesn’t taste like diet food.
This vegetarian delight infuses crisp veggies like cucumber, pickled onion, red peppers, tomatoes, and greens. But they don’t stop there.
Adding feta with a generous dollop of hummus strikes that perfect balance of savory, tart, and creamy.
And the delicately sweet tomato basil bread is the perfect vessel!
4. Toasted Steak & White Cheddar Sandwich
Think of the toasted steak and white cheddar sandwich like a fancy Philly cheesesteak.
This elevated Philly cheesesteak pairs savory seared steak with tangy horseradish, melty white cheddar, and pickled red onions.
Adding pickled red onions is a thing of genius. It helps to combat the ultra-savory ingredients and lifts this sandwich to new heights.
And the toasted ciabatta is the perfect bread choice. It’s chewy, tender, and perfect with steak.
3. Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt
Welcome to the winner’s circle. Coming in with the bronze medal is the chipotle chicken avocado melt.
It’s half Tex-Mex, half artisan sandwich, and 100 percent amazing.
It incorporates tender chicken strips and a smoky chipotle sauce soothed by creamy avocado.
But the secret ingredient is the peppadew peppers. They add a tangy and spicy zip that elevates this sandwich.
Panera’s focaccia bread is the perfect choice for this sandwich. It’s perfectly chewy and soaks up all that delicious sauce.
2. Smokehouse BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Who would have thought that Panera could nail BBQ?
The smokehouse BBQ chicken sandwich tastes like something from a local BBQ joint.
It’s the perfect balance of smoky BBQ, gooey cheese, and tart apple cider BBQ sauce.
The sandwich stuffings are so flavorful, and a simple toasted white bread is the perfect choice.
Sure, it’s a little messy, but that’s ok. All the best sandwiches require a few extra napkins.
1. Green Goddess Caprese Melt
Without further ado, behold Panera’s best sandwich!
It should come as no surprise that a sandwich with green goddess dressing takes the blue ribbon.
This sandwich is 100 percent vegetarian. It proves you don’t need the meat if you have the right sauce.
The fusion of their green goddess dressing with juicy tomatoes and melty mozzarella will make your tastebuds sing.
Everything about this sandwich is perfection, so it earned the top stop on this list.
Even die-hard meat eaters will transform into vegetarians with the green goddess Caprese melt on the menu!
17 Best Panera Bread Sandwiches (Ranked)
This list ranks 17 Panera Bread sandwiches, with the winners at the top of the list. From turkey to chicken to veggie, see if your favorite order made the cut!
Ingredients
Signature Take Chicken Sandwich
Deli Turkey Sandwich
Smoky Buffalo Chicken Melt
Tuna Salad Sandwich
Spicy Take Chicken Sandwich
Deli Ham Sandwich
Pepperoni Mozzarella Melt
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Toasted Frontega Chicken Sandwich
Napa Chicken Salad Sandwich
Bacon Turkey Bravo Sandwich
Roasted Turkey and Avocado BLT
Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich
Toasted Steak & White Cheddar Sandwich
Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt
Smokehouse BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Green Goddess Caprese Melt
Instructions
- Select your favorite sandwich.
- Enjoy a tasty lunch from Panera Bread!
