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Enjoy this Panera Bread Asian Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe at home for a delicious meal that is filling but not heavy. Tender chicken, almonds, mandarin oranges and more make this meal not only gorgeous but tasty. The homemade dressing is easy to make but packed with flavor.
We love copy cat recipes so that we can enjoy our favorite meals at home. This Copy Cat Panera Bread Asian Chicken Salad is really easy but a tasty salad to try.
I love the sweetness from the oranges and the saltiness from the delicious dressing. It really combines for a great meal. Salads are the perfect option when the weather gets warmer. They are so easy and everyone can enjoy a great meal without eating a ton of heavy food.
If you enjoyed our Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad, this new copycat recipe will be a hit for sure. Another family favorite is Panera Fuji Apple Salad and Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Chicken Salad
The chicken breast is incredibly tender and flavorful from being marinated. The romaine lettuce and crispy wonton combined with the tangy Asian sesame dressing is delicious.
My kids love to put extra wonton strips on their salad. This is a great meal and the entire family enjoys it. You can put together this salad in as little as 15 minutes. Not only will you save money but you will save time from going to get take out.
Ingredients
- Chicken Breast – Cut in fillets – Use chicken breast or chicken thighs
- Soy Sauce – See The Best Soy Sauce Substitutes
- Brown Sugar – Learn How to Make Brown Sugar
- Garlic Powder – See The Best Garlic Powder Substitute if you are out
- Sesame Oil – See The Best Sesame Oil Substitute
- Olive Oil – Use oil of your choice
- Romaine Hearts– Chopped into bite size pieces
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
Variations Ideas
This chicken salad can be made with a variety of ingredients. Try making this Asian Chicken Salad Recipe with these additions. The perfect salad to meal prep with.
- Orange Slices
- Carrots
- Cabbage
- Baby Spinach
- Fresh Cilantro
How to Make Panera Bread Asian Sesame Chicken Salad
Step 1 – Marinade the chicken in the soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder and sesame oil. Marinade for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
Step 2 – Heat the oil olive in large skillet over medium heat. Carefully add the chicken to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until the chicken is cooked through. You can also grill chicken.
Step 3 – Remove the chicken to a plate and look cool while you prepare the other ingredients.
Step 4 – To make the Asian sesame Vinaigrette dressing, heat the vinegar over medium heat, add the sugar and garlic.
Step 5 – Allow to boil for about 1 minute until the sugar dissolves. Strain into a glass jar, add the other dressing ingredients, seal the contain and shake to combine. Shake prior to using.
Step 6 – Slice the chicken. Toss all the salad ingredients together, top with the chicken and dressing and serve immediately.
Expert Tips
- Marinate Chicken – We recommend to marinate chicken for at least 2 hours for the best flavor.
- Combining Salad Ingredients – Combine the salad ingredients into a large bowl. You can top with the salad dressing or just leave it on the side.
Serving Suggestions
Panera’s Asian Sesame Chicken Salad pairs perfectly with Panera Bread Tomato Soup Recipe, Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup and CopyCat Panera Bread Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe.
We also enjoy it with these sandwiches Shredded Beef Sandwiches, Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Bacon Sandwich.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make this salad about 2 days ahead of time. We prepare the salad and the dressing but keep them stored separately. Then when ready to serve we top the salad with the dressing and enjoy.
Yes, this is the perfect recipe to use leftover cooked chicken or use a Rotisserie Chicken.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The leftovers will last about 2 days if stored with dressing and 3-4 days if you store without the dressing.
More Easy Salad Recipes
Easy Salad
Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad
Easy Salad
Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe
Easy Salad
Easy Caesar Salad Recipe
We love to hear from you. If you make Panera Bread Asian Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Panera Bread Asian Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breast cut in filets
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 romaine hearts chopped
- 1 can mandarin oranges drained
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1.5 cups wonton strips
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- Sesame Vinaigrette Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Marinade the chicken in the soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder and sesame oil. Marinade for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Heat the oil olive in large skillet over medium heat.
- Carefully add the chicken to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the chicken to a plate and look cool while you prepare the other ingredients.
- To make the sesame Vinaigrette dressing, heat the vinegar over medium heat, add the sugar and garlic.
- Allow to boil for about 1 minute until the sugar dissolves. Strain into a glass jar, add the other dressing ingredients, seal the contain and shake to combine. Shake prior to using.
- Slice the chicken.
- Toss all the salad ingredients together, top with the chicken and dressing and serve immediately.
I hate the new set up of Recipe 1, 2 and 3. I would like much more a picture of recipe with the name. That gets MY ATTENTION. Thanks
Are the dressing and chicken supposed to be warm, room temperature or cold before serving?
Thank you!
This is truly a great and easy recipe. Thanks for sharing it!