Panera Bread Harvest Salad Recipe

Panera Bread Harvest Salad is a refreshing, seasonal favorite that perfectly blends sweet fruit notes with savory proteins and crunchy nuts. Ideally the pecans should be lightly glazed or toasted in a pan for three minutes to enhance their earthy aroma and provide a crisp textural contrast to the soft gorgonzola cheese and tender greens.

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Panera Bread Harvest Salad Recipe Ingredients

• 6 cups mixed salad greens (such as Romaine, kale, and baby arugula)
• 1 lb (450g) grilled chicken breast, sliced into strips
• 1 large Fuji apple, thinly sliced (or 1 cup dried apple chips for the authentic Panera crunch)
• 1/2 cup pecans, toasted or honey-roasted
• 1/2 cup Gorgonzola or blue cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced into rings
• 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup Panera Bread Fuji Apple Vinaigrette (or a sweet white balsamic vinaigrette)

How To Make Panera Bread Harvest Salad Recipe

1. Prepare the Base: In a large serving bowl, combine your choice of mixed greens. Panera typically uses a blend that includes crisp Romaine for volume and darker leaves for nutritional depth.
2. Layer the Produce: Add the halved grape tomatoes and the thinly sliced red onion rings. If you are using fresh apples instead of dried chips, toss the apple slices in a little lemon juice first to prevent them from browning.
3. Add the Proteins: Arrange the sliced grilled chicken strips and the crumbled Gorgonzola cheese over the top of the vegetables.
4. The Signature Crunch: Sprinkle the toasted pecans and the apple chips over the assembly. Using dried apple chips is the secret to replicating the exact texture of the Panera restaurant version.
5. Dress the Salad: Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving. Use salad tongs to gently toss the ingredients together so the dressing is evenly distributed without crushing the delicate apple chips.
6. Serve: Portion into large chilled bowls and serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

• Chicken Preparation: To get the best flavor, use chicken that has been seasoned with a little garlic and herb rub before grilling. This provides a savory counterpoint to the sweetness of the fruit and dressing.
• Apple Chip Selection: Look for “Fuji Apple” chips specifically. They are sweeter and crispier than other varieties and stay crunchy for longer once they hit the moisture of the dressing.
• Cheese Substitutions: If Gorgonzola is too strong for your palate, a mild goat cheese or even a sharp white cheddar provides a similar creamy texture with a less pungent flavor profile.
• Red Onion Hack: If the red onions are too sharp, soak the slices in ice-cold water for 10 minutes before adding them to the salad to mellow their intensity.

What To Serve With Panera Bread Harvest Salad

Harvest salad accompaniments are classic bakery-style additions frequently served as part of a balanced “You Pick Two” lunch. Ideally the tomato soup should be served piping hot with a swirl of fresh cream to provide a savory, velvety balance to the crisp and sweet elements of the salad.

• A bowl of creamy tomato basil soup
• A warm slice of whole grain or sourdough bread
• Panera Bread Green Tea (iced)
• A side of roasted butternut squash for extra harvest flair

How To Store Panera Bread Harvest Salad

• Refrigerate: Store the undressed salad components in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For the best quality, keep the apple chips and pecans in a separate dry container until you are ready to eat.
• Meal Prep: If prepping for work, place the chicken and heavier vegetables at the bottom of the container, the greens in the middle, and the nuts and apple chips on top to prevent wilting.
• Freeze: This recipe is not suitable for freezing, as the fresh produce and cheese will lose their structure and become watery when thawed.

Panera Bread Harvest Salad Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 480 kcal (per serving)
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Protein: 34g
• Fat: 28g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 12g

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

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