Copycat Panera Bread Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

Copycat Panera Bread Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

from delish.com
30 min
4 servings

If you can't get enough of Panera Bread's strawberry poppyseed salad, you have to try our copycat recipe, complete with the iconic poppyseed dressing.

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb. total)
  • 1 tsp. sodium-free lemon pepper
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp. distilled white vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest
  • 1 tbsp. fresh orange juice
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp. poppy seeds
  • 3/4 tsp. granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. dried minced onions
  • 1/3 c. vegetable oil
  • 1 (10-oz.) head romaine, chopped (about 6 c.)
  • 1 (10.5 oz.-can) Mandarin oranges in light syrup, drained
  • 3/4 c. pineapple chunks
  • 3/4 c. strawberries, quartered
  • 1/2 c. blueberries 
  • 1/3 c. toasted pecans, roughly chopped

Directions

  1. 1

    Prepare a grill for medium-high heat; heat 5 minutes (or preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat). Place chicken between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet into 1/2"-thick pieces. Season chicken all over with lemon pepper and 3/4 teaspoon salt. 

  2. 2

    Grill chicken, turning halfway through, until golden brown and just cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly. 

  3. 3

    In a medium bowl, whisk vinegar, orange zest, orange juice, mustard, poppy seeds, granulated sugar, dried onions, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Slowly stream in oil, whisking constantly, until dressing is smooth and emulsified. 

  4. 4

    In a large bowl, toss romaine with one-third of dressing; season with salt. Thinly slice chicken against the grain and arrange over lettuce. Top with oranges, pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, and pecans. Serve with remaining dressing alongside.