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. Don’t let the long(ish) ingredient list scare you – it comes together lickity split.
Part 1: The Chicken
Start by mixing up a savory, sesame-flavored marinade for boneless, skinless chicken breasts, that combines sesame oil and soy sauce or gluten-free tamari (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce) with ground ginger, garlic powder and some other far-east flavors.
Marinate the chicken in the mixture for 15 minutes, or up to an hour, then grill or cook in a non-stick sprayed skillet until done. 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.
Â
Once cooled, combine it with canola oil, sesame oil, salt & pepper.
Â
Next, add in toasted sesame seeds. You don’t HAVE to toast the seeds, but it adds so much, plus it takes like 2 minutes. Just add the seeds to a dry skillet over medium heat, and shake the pan every 30 seconds or so until they’re are golden brown. Presto.
Add ’em in, and shake ‘er up!
Â
Dressing = done!
Part 3: The Toppings
Toppings are what make the world go round, and this salad has no shortage of them. I used chopped cilantro, mandarin oranges packed in water (just rinse and pat dry if they’re packed in syrup.)
sliced almonds, and baked wonton strips. You could snag some fried wonton strips from your grocery store’s Chinese buffet ($.50 or so) or do what I did and cut wonton squares into strips, spray with non-stick spray, and bake at 400 degrees for 3-4 minutes. I wouldn’t buy a package of wontons just to make these strips, but dear Ben cleaned out the freezer for us this weekend (cabin fever makes husbands do crazy things,) and found a whole, unopened package of wonton wrappers, which is why I made my own vs buying. This is far longer than I wanted to talk about wonton strips.
(Note: this recipe was written prior to me getting 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 zee dressing, and dive in!
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
Copycat Panera Asian Sesame Chicken Salad
Description
Copycat Panera Asian Sesame Chicken Salad is a healthier version of my favorite salad from Panera!
Ingredients
- 1 bag chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 bag baby spinach
- 4 medium chicken breasts
- For the chicken marinade:
- 3 Tablespoons soy sauce or gluten-free Tamari (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce)
- 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 sesame seeds, toasted in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown
- Salad toppings:
- Chopped cilantro
- 11oz can mandarin oranges packed in water or 100% juice (rinse in water if packed in syrup)
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- Baked or fried wonton strips
- Sesame seeds
Directions
- For the chicken: Whisk together chicken marinade ingredients, and marinate chicken for 15 minutes. Grill, or cook in a non-stick sprayed skillet until done, then let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Cut into slices.
- For the dressing: Bring vinegar to a boil in a small saucepan. Turn off the heat, then add in the sugar and stir until dissolved. Let cool. Combine with the rest of the dressing ingredients in a jar, and shake to combine.
- Divide lettuce and spinach between four plates. Top with sliced chicken, salad dressing, and toppings.
Notes
Dressing from Art + Food + Life
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Panera’s version:
and mine!
The addition of mandarin oranges, which Panera doesn’t use, to this salad was totally clutch. That burst of juicy sweetness is fantastic with the bold cilantro, and sesame-laced dressing.
The textures in this salad were out of this world too. Love it when a recipe remix comes together like this!
Now if only I could find a recipe for Panera’s Cinnamon Crunch Bagel…
Jenni 02.06.2012
I love a classic margarita!
Jeff 02.06.2012
Cosi Cucina used to make a wonderful drink called a “Black Tie”; Vodka, Scotch & Campari garnished with cocktail onions. Its now my “House Cocktail”
Andrea 02.06.2012
You got me totally hooked on the Cinnamon Crunch bagel with hazelnut cream cheese…mmmm!
Emily 02.06.2012
I like an amaretto sour!
Amanda 02.06.2012
I am really not a drinker, but this weekend I tried a chocolate martini and it was quite yummy!
Mollie 02.06.2012
I love malibu pineapple!
Heather 02.06.2012
I love mine simple….Jameson and ginger ale. Salad looks to die for! I must try!
Jv 02.06.2012
Sangia… I just love it
kristy 02.06.2012
Your salad looks even better than Panera’s! Can’t wait to try it! my favorite drink is malibu and pineapple juice…or malibu and cranberry juice. Actually, the combo of all 3 is amazing!
Darcy @ Ginger's Goodies 02.06.2012
BLueberry and lemon martinis! Specifically from Lucca in the E Village. YUM-O!
Rachel 02.06.2012
Amaretto and diet coke. So delicious!
Liz 02.06.2012
I really love a good gin and tonic or an apple martini!
Jessica 02.06.2012
Mojito with fresh mint from my garden!
Thanks for the salad recipe! It’s one oft best friends favorites!:)
Lindsay @ biking before bed 02.06.2012
This is hands down my favorite Panera salad. I can’t wait to try that dressing. It looks to die for. If I could make something healthier… creme brulee. That would be quite the challenge!
jenn from b-more 02.06.2012
Love this – totally making it soon… are there any more copycats for panera salads? Thee thai one is amazing too!
Jill 02.06.2012
I am a local gal!!! I love a good gin & tonic. :-)
Shayla Ammerman 02.06.2012
I’m a beer girl but could also go for an amaretto sour anytime.
Jordan 02.06.2012
I would love to attend this event!! My fav cocktail is my version of a skinny girl marg: silver tequila, triple sec, limeade, & club soda…so refreshing!
Eleni 02.06.2012
If I could make any food instantly healthy, it would probably be Girl Scout cookies!
My favorite drink would have to be a big strawberry margarita or wheat beer.
Deanna 02.06.2012
Thank you so much for your blog… made the buffalo chicken bites, no yeast cinnamon rolls, mini corn dog muffins and spring rolls for Super bowl. All were a huge hit! Thank you!!!
My favorite cocktail is the Skinny Girl Margarita. =)