Copycat Panera Asian Sesame Chicken Salad is a healthier version of the fan-favorite, fresh and flavorful salad from Panera.
If you’ve been reading IGE for any length of time, than you know I have a fondness for making healthier versions of my favorite, not-so-healthy restaurant dishes at home, such as…
P.F. Chang’s Lettuce Wraps (less grease!), Food Court Baked Ziti (less cheese!), Chipotle Burrito Bowls (less funky chicken!) rise to the top as some of my top picks.
But some of my favorite dishes to grab on the go, don’t necessarily need a makeover. They’re light and satisfying on their own, without having to go back to the drawing board. One such meal is Panera’s Asian Sesame Chicken Salad.
This salad is perfectly light, crunchy, sweet and savory. The only thing that needed changing was the location of the salad. As in, from Panera’s kitchen, to my own!
The recipe for this salad is broken into 3 parts for easy preparation.
Part 1: The Chicken
Start by mixing up a savory marinade for boneless, skinless chicken breasts that includes sesame oil, gluten-free Tamari (or soy sauce if not GF), ground ginger, and garlic powder.
Marinate the chicken for 15 minutes, or up to an hour, then grill or saute in a non-stick sprayed skillet until cooked through. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes then slice and set aside.
Part 2: The Dressing
This recipe for Panera’s perfectly sweet & tangy Asian Sesame Dressing is SPOT ON, plus it’s a cinch to make. Start by whisking sugar into boiling vinegar until it fully dissolves, about 30 seconds.
Cool the vinegar slightly then add it to a bowl or jar with a tight fitting lid with canola or vegetable oil, sesame oil, salt, pepper, and toasted sesame seeds. Shake or whisk to combine. Dressing = done!
Part 3: The Toppings
Toppings are what make the world go round, and this salad has no shortage of them. I like chopped cilantro, mandarin oranges, sliced almonds, plus baked wonton strips for crunch.
(Note: this recipe was written prior to being diagnosed with Celiac Disease — wontons are not gluten free!)
Assembly:
Pile romaine lettuce and baby spinach onto a plate, then top with the chicken and toppings. Drizzle with the dressing then dive in!
Panera’s version:
and mine!
The addition of mandarin oranges, which Panera doesn’t use, to this salad is such a yummy addition. That burst of juicy freshness is fantastic with the bold cilantro and sesame-laced dressing.
Now if only I could find a recipe for Panera’s Cinnamon Crunch Bagel…
Ingredients
- 5oz bag chopped romaine lettuce
- 5oz bag baby spinach
- 4 chicken breasts, ~2lbs
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 3 Tablespoons gluten free reduced-sodium Tamari, or soy sauce if not GF
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Dressing:
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 Tablespoons canola oil
- 1-1/2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Salad Toppings:
- 11 oz can mandarin oranges packed in water, drained
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- crispy wonton strips
- toasted sesame seeds
- chopped cilantro
Directions
For the chicken:
- Whisk together chicken marinade ingredients then marinate chicken for 15 minutes. Grill or saute cook in a non-stick sprayed skillet until cooked through, then let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before cutting into slices. Set aside.
For the dressing:
- Bring vinegar to a boil in a small saucepan. Turn off the heat then add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Let cool. Combine with the rest of the dressing ingredients in a jar or bowl then shake or whisk to combine.
For the salad:
- Divide lettuce and spinach between four plates. Top with sliced chicken, salad dressing, and toppings.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
I made this exactly as you made it. It was beautiful and delicious & my husband enjoyed it also. Thanks so much.
I made this last night and loved it! It was packed full of flavor. Hubster liked it, but he’s not really a salad for dinner kind of guy. Do you serve anything on the side for Ben? Maybe some sort of carb?
Thanks!
Not usually, but a piece of broiled garlic bread would be great with this!
Salads and fruit are nothing but carbs. But there is a difference between the “complex” carbs found in fruit/veggetables and the “simple” carbs found in things like white bread and pasta. Complex are harder for your body to digest and allows your body to use the minerals and vitamins in the food. Simple carbs digest easily and usually transfer into blood sugar and that kind of thing. For more information I would highly suggest reading “The China Study” by T. Collin Campbell.
I just made this and it was a huge hit our house! I always feel like the at home versions are healthier and in this case you don’t lack any flavor! Thanks for a great recipe, here is my blog post about it.
http://lexslifeasanewwife.blogspot.com/2012/02/asian-sesame-chicken-salad.html
Awesome photos of the salad. It looks absolutely divine – I do love this salad at Panera and will definitely have to try your copycat recipe.
I just want to let you know I tried this…and probably 90% of the rest of your recipes…I plan my weeks around your blog! This one blew me and my bf of our feet was and was the PERFECT Valentine dinner! You are great and I look forward to reading your blog every day. Thank you for letting me follow along :)
Question – under the dressing, you have sesame oil listed twice…mistake? I really want to make this and I want it to be just perfect…like yours looks. :)
One of the items is sesame seeds. Is that maybe what you were thinking was a second listing of sesame oil?
I was mistaken and caught it 2 seconds after I pressed “submit comment.” So sorry! Thanks for keeping me in line.
Oh gosh, no worries – hope you enjoy! :)
I am too lazy to go through the 4 pages of comments, and someone may have mentioned this already, but…. Panera now has bottled version of most of their dressing available in stores. I saw them (Asian Sesame included) at Target last week, it’s about $5.50 a bottle (in Mpls).
The nutritionals aren’t terrible, with just a few un-pronounceable ingredients, and HFCS.
Alas, a homemade version is almost always cheaper, and better for you!
Ive been to the Living History Farms 11K run back in 2009 & 2010. Its a fun race. I like vanilla vodka with diet pepsi. :)
Thanks for the shout out! I am so glad I could share a recipe and help spread the Asian Sesame Chicken Salad love. Nothing better than recreating a favorite restaurant recipe and finding it is even better at home.
Favorite cocktail is a Citron and Tonic – so refreshing!
I love that salad from Panera, but yours looks even better. :)
I love me a good Black Russian (heavy on the Russian)! :)
SKILIFT: Hot chocolate and butterscotch schnaaps.
Salad looks yumm-o. Is it difficult for you and your hubby to enjoy so many salads in the winter weather? I know tend to crave a hot meal or nice healthy soup when it’s cold and especially when it’s snowing!
Actually not really! We both love salads, and are both kind of in Spring mode (despite the snow) since the temps have been so warm the past couple of weeks!