Copycat Panera Asian Sesame Chicken Salad

 A Copycat Panera Asian Sesame Chicken Salad is a fresh and vibrant salad with grilled chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a flavorful sesame dressing. It’s a great balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors, making it a satisfying and healthy meal. Here’s a recipe to recreate this popular salad at home:

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (grilled or baked)

6 cups mixed greens (such as romaine lettuce, spinach, and arugula)

1 cup shredded purple cabbage

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1/4 cup sliced cucumber

1/4 cup sliced red bell pepper

1/4 cup sliced green onions (scallions)

1/4 cup sesame seeds (toasted, optional)

1/4 cup sliced almonds or cashews (optional, for extra crunch)

1/4 cup mandarin orange segments (optional, for sweetness)

For the Asian Sesame Dressing:

3 tablespoons sesame oil

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)

1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Prepare the Chicken:

1. Grill or Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and any desired spices. Grill or bake the chicken until fully cooked (about 6-8 minutes per side on the grill or 20-25 minutes in the oven at 375°F). Once cooked, slice the chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces.

Prepare the Vegetables:

1. Chop the Veggies: Shred the cabbage and carrots, slice the cucumber and red bell pepper, and chop the green onions. If you’re using mandarin oranges, peel and separate the segments.

Make the Dressing:

1. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, and ginger until well combined. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble the Salad:

1. Combine the Salad: In a large salad bowl, add the mixed greens, shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, cucumber, red bell pepper, and green onions.

2. Add the Chicken and Toppings: Add the sliced chicken on top of the salad. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, sliced almonds or cashews, and mandarin orange segments if using.

Serve:

1. Dress the Salad: Drizzle the Asian sesame dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Serve immediately.

Tips:

Make it Vegetarian: Skip the chicken and add additional protein like tofu or edamame for a vegetarian version.

Adjust the Dressing: If you prefer a sweeter or tangier dressing, adjust the amount of honey and vinegar.

Meal Prep: Keep the dressing separate from the salad if you plan to make it ahead of time to prevent the greens from wilting.

This Copycat Panera Asian Sesame Chicken Salad is light, fresh, and full of flavor, with the perfect combination of textures from the crunchy vegetables, nuts, and sesame seeds. It’s a great option for a healthy lunch or dinner!