Panera Bread Green Goddess Salad Recipe

Panera Bread Green Goddess Salad is a vibrant, protein-packed bowl popular across North America for its refreshing and nutritionally balanced profile. Ideally the pickled red onions should be prepared at least an hour in advance to provide a bright, acidic contrast to the creamy avocado and rich dressing.

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Panera Bread Green Goddess Salad Recipe Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 4 cups Romaine lettuce, chopped
• 2 cups fresh baby arugula
• 1 lb (450g) grilled chicken breast, sliced (citrus-marinated is best)
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and halved
• 1 large avocado, diced
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup pickled red onions (thinly sliced red onions soaked in apple cider vinegar and sugar)
• ¼ cup bacon bits, crispy (optional)

For the Assembly:

• ½ cup Panera Bread Green Goddess Dressing
• Freshly ground black pepper
• A squeeze of fresh lemon juice

How To Make Panera Bread Green Goddess Salad Recipe

1. Prepare the Base: In a large serving bowl, toss together the chopped Romaine and the baby arugula. This blend of greens provides both crunch and a peppery bite.
2. Layer the Proteins: Arrange the sliced grilled chicken and the hard-boiled egg halves on top of the greens. For the most authentic look, keep the ingredients in distinct sections or “rows.”
3. Add the Produce: Scatter the grape tomatoes, diced avocado, and pickled red onions over the salad. If you are using bacon bits, sprinkle them on now for a smoky finish.
4. Dress the Salad: Drizzle the Green Goddess dressing generously over the top. Use a pair of tongs to gently toss the salad so every leaf is coated but the delicate avocado and eggs remain intact.
5. Final Seasoning: Finish with a fresh crack of black pepper and a quick squeeze of lemon juice to wake up the herbal flavors in the dressing. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

• Citrus Chicken Hack: To replicate Panera’s chicken flavor, marinate your raw chicken breasts in a mixture of orange juice, lemon juice, and garlic for 30 minutes before grilling.
• Avocado Ripeness: Use an avocado that is “just” ripe—it should yield to gentle pressure but still be firm enough to hold its cube shape when tossed.
• Keep it Crisp: If you are making this for a gathering, keep the dressing on the side. The arugula is very delicate and will wilt within 10 minutes of being dressed.
• The Onion Secret: If you don’t have time to fully pickle onions, simply soak thin red onion slices in cold water for 15 minutes to remove their harsh “sulfur” bite.

What To Serve With Panera Bread Green Goddess Salad

Salad accompaniments are light, crusty additions frequently served as part of a “You Pick Two” lunch special. Ideally the sourdough baguette should be warmed in the oven until the crust is shattered-glass crisp to complement the soft textures of the salad.

• A slice of toasted sourdough baguette or a whole grain roll
• A bowl of Crock Pot Zuppa Toscana or creamy tomato soup
• A chilled glass of Panera Bread Green Tea
• A bag of kettle-cooked potato chips for extra crunch

How To Store Panera Bread Green Goddess Salad

• Refrigerate: Store the undressed salad components in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep the avocado and dressing separate until the moment you are ready to eat.
• Meal Prep: This is an excellent meal prep salad. Layer the tomatoes and onions at the bottom, then the chicken and eggs, and the greens on top to keep the lettuce from getting crushed or soggy.
• Freeze: This recipe is not suitable for freezing, as the fresh greens and vegetables will lose their structure and become watery upon thawing.

Panera Bread Green Goddess Salad Nutrition Facts

• Calories: ~520 kcal (per serving)
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Protein: 38g
• Fat: 32g
• Fiber: 8g
• Sugar: 4g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving based on 2 large main-course servings.

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