Copycat Panera Asian Sesame Chicken Salad

Make your favorite salad at home with this recipe for Panera's Asian Sesame Chicken Salad. It tastes JUST like the restaurant version at a fraction of the cost.

Make your favorite salad at home with this recipe for Panera’s Asian Sesame Chicken Salad. It tastes JUST like the restaurant version at a fraction of the cost.

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It’s time for all the summer salads. I’ve been wanting to create my own recipe for Panera’s Asian Sesame Salad forever and I finally am ready to share it.

If you’re a fan of this salad, you are going to love this recipe. It tastes JUST like the real thing. And it’s wayyyy cheaper to make at home.

Make your favorite salad at home with this recipe for Panera's Asian Sesame Chicken Salad. It tastes JUST like the restaurant version at a fraction of the cost.

Ingredients for Panera Asian Sesame Salad Dressing

  • Rice vinegar
  • Granulated sugar
  • Vegetable or canola oil
  • Sesame oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Sesame seeds
  • Black pepper

This dressing my friends. It tastes just like the real deal. I could literally drink it.

Make your favorite salad at home with this recipe for Panera's Asian Sesame Chicken Salad. It tastes JUST like the restaurant version at a fraction of the cost.

How to Make the Asian Sesame Dressing

The dressing takes one extra step than my usual dressing recipes. Because this is a sweet and tangy dressing, there is some sugar in the recipe.

In order to make sure we have a super smooth dressing and that there are no sugar granules, the rice vinegar has to be heated. Then the sugar is added and whisked until dissolved.

Pour the vinegar mixture into a jar and allow it to come to room temperature. Add remaining ingredients, seal tightly with the lid and shake until combined.

Refrigerate until cold. Make sure you do not shake while the vinegar is still hot. It can escape the jar and spatter you.

Store the dressing in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Make your favorite salad at home with this recipe for Panera's Asian Sesame Chicken Salad. It tastes JUST like the restaurant version at a fraction of the cost.

Ingredients for Asian Sesame Salad

Here are the remaining ingredients you’ll need to grab for the base of the salad.

  • Large boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • Lemon pepper
  • Kosher salt
  • Large romaine heart
  • Cilantro
  • Toasted, sliced almonds
  • Crispy wonton strips
Make your favorite salad at home with this recipe for Panera's Asian Sesame Chicken Salad. It tastes JUST like the restaurant version at a fraction of the cost.

Prepare the Chicken

Start by seasoning the chicken with lemon pepper and kosher salt. I like to grill the chicken for this salad.

Heat the grill over medium heat. If you have a thick piece of chicken, grill 6 minutes per side. Once it’s done, let it rest for 5 minutes before thinly slicing.

If you don’t have a grill or the weather isn’t ideal, you can definitely sear the chicken in a skillet. Drizzle with a little olive oil and cook until juices run clear.

Make your favorite salad at home with this recipe for Panera's Asian Sesame Chicken Salad. It tastes JUST like the restaurant version at a fraction of the cost.

How to Assemble Panera Asian Sesame Chicken Salad

Add lettuce, chopped cilantro, chicken, sliced almonds and wonton strips to a large bowl. Drizzle with your desired amount of dressing and toss well.

If you don’t plan on eating all of it in one sitting, just mix up a portion of the recipe. Nobody likes a soggy salad.

Make your favorite salad at home with this recipe for Panera's Asian Sesame Chicken Salad. It tastes JUST like the restaurant version at a fraction of the cost.

Perfect for Meal Prep

This salad makes a great lunch option to take to work or have prepared to keep life easy.

I like to keep all the components separate then toss them together right before eating. These meal prep containers work really well for this salad.

Keep the wonton strips and sliced almonds at room temperature to make sure they don’t get soggy.

Make your favorite salad at home with this recipe for Panera's Asian Sesame Chicken Salad. It tastes JUST like the restaurant version at a fraction of the cost.

More Salad Recipes to Try

Make your favorite salad at home with this recipe for Panera's Asian Sesame Chicken Salad. It tastes JUST like the restaurant version at a fraction of the cost.
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4.53 from 17 votes

Panera Asian Sesame Chicken Salad

Make your favorite salad at home with this recipe for Panera's Asian Sesame Chicken Salad. It tastes JUST like the restaurant version at a fraction of the cost.
Prep Time10 minutes
Active Time15 minutes
Cool Time:30 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Asian sesame chicken salad
Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients

For the Asian Sesame Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. canola or vegetable oil
  • 1 Tbsp. sesame oil
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 3/4 tsp. sesame seeds
  • 1/8 tsp. black pepper

For the salad:

  • 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 3/4 tsp. lemon pepper
  • 1 large romaine heart, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
  • 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
  • 1/4 cup wonton strips

Instructions

  • Add rice vinegar and sugar into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and whisk until sugar is dissolved. Pour into a jar and allow to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, add remaining dressing ingredients, seal the jar and shake to combine. Refrigerate until ready to use. Shake well before using.
  • For the chicken: preheat grill or skillet over medium heat. Season both sides of the chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and the lemon pepper. Cook chicken for about 6 minutes per side, until juices run clear. Remove to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice chicken into thin strips.
  • Add lettuce, cilantro, chicken, almonds and wonton strips to a large bowl. Drizzle with desired amount of dressing and toss well to coat.

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3 comments

  1. Good but tbh doesn’t taste like Panera at all

  2. 2 stars
    Agree it does not taste like Panera at all.

    1. The salad or the dressing?

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