Panera Bread Strawberry Poppyseed Salad RecipeP

This Panera Bread Strawberry Poppyseed Salad is a vibrant and healthy recipe, which includes fresh strawberries and mandarin oranges. It’s a light summer meal, ready in about 15 minutes.

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Panera Bread Strawberry Poppyseed Salad Ingredients

For the Salad

• 4 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced (grilled or poached)
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• ½ cup fresh blueberries
• ½ cup fresh pineapple chunks (or tidbits)
• ½ cup mandarin oranges (canned in juice, drained)
• ¼ cup roasted pecans pieces

For the Poppyseed Dressing

• ¼ cup vegetable oil (or canola)
• ⅓ cup sugar (or honey)
• ⅓ cup white vinegar
• 1 tsp poppy seeds
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ small onion, grated (optional, for bite)

How To Make Panera Bread Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

1. Make the dressing: In a blender or small jar, combine the vegetable oil, sugar, white vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and grated onion. Blend or shake vigorously until the sugar is dissolved and the dressing is emulsified. Stir in the poppy seeds last (don’t blend them or the dressing will turn gray).
2. Prep the greens: Wash and dry the Romaine lettuce thoroughly. Chop it into bite-sized pieces. Place the lettuce in a large serving bowl.
3. Add the chicken: Top the lettuce with the diced cooked chicken breast. Cold chicken works best for this crisp salad.
4. Layer the fruit: Arrange the sliced strawberries, blueberries, pineapple chunks, and drained mandarin oranges over the greens and chicken. The variety of colors makes the presentation stunning.
5. Add crunch: Sprinkle the roasted pecan pieces over the top.
6. Dress and toss: Just before serving, drizzle the poppyseed dressing over the salad. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

• Chicken Prep: To mimic Panera perfectly, use chicken that has been lightly seasoned with salt and pepper and grilled, then chilled. The char marks add a nice flavor dimension.
• Fruit selection: Fresh pineapple is vastly superior to canned, providing a sharper acidity that cuts through the sweet dressing. Ensure the berries are firm, not mushy.
• Dressing consistency: Panera’s dressing is famous for being fat-free or low-fat. To replicate that texture, you can reduce the oil and add a splash of orange juice or pineapple juice to the dressing base.
• Pecans: To roast the pecans, place them in a dry pan over medium heat for 3–5 minutes until fragrant. This releases their essential oils and makes them crunchier.

What To Serve With Panera Bread Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

This salad is a meal in itself, but pairs well with light sides.

• Baguette: A slice of warm French baguette.
• Iced Tea: Unsweetened tea balances the sweet salad.
• Fruit Cup: If you just can’t get enough fruit.
• Yogurt Parfait: For a healthy dessert.

How To Store Panera Bread Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

• Refrigerate: Store the salad components separately from the dressing. The dressing keeps for 2 weeks in the fridge. Once dressed, the salad will wilt within 2 hours.
• Freeze: Do not freeze the salad.

Panera Bread Strawberry Poppyseed Salad Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 340kcal
• Protein: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fat: 14g
• Saturates: 1.5g
• Sugar: 24g
• Salt: 0.6g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving (based on 2 large salads).

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