Panera BBQ Chicken Salad (Copycat Recipe)
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
2
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Calories
650 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Panera BBQ Chicken Salad (Copycat Recipe)
Description
Panera BBQ Chicken Salad (Copycat Recipe) features romaine lettuce as a sturdy green base topped with grilled chicken breast sliced thinly to complement the fresh greens. The black bean corn salsa adds a tangy and somewhat smoky edge with the mix of spices and apple cider vinegar in the dressing. The BBQ ranch salad dressing combines ranch and hickory BBQ sauce to give a creamy, smoky flavor, while the apple cider vinegar in the BBQ sauce provides a bright acidity that balances the ingredients.
The salad assembly involves layering the lettuce, black bean corn salsa, and chicken, topped with crispy fried onions that provide a crunchy texture contrast. The use of romaine lettuce and a homemade-style salsa keeps the salad fresh and hearty enough to serve as a main dish. The chilled dressings are meant to be refrigerated for flavor melding but should be brought to room temperature before serving to maximize taste.
This salad works well for a casual lunch or light dinner, especially during warmer months when a combination of crisp vegetables and smoky grilled chicken is satisfying without heaviness. The components can be prepared ahead and refrigerated separately before assembly for convenience.
Ingredients
BBQ Ranch Salad Dressing
- ½ cup ranch salad dressing store brand
- ½ cup hickory bbq sauce Heinz brand
Apple Cider Vinegar BBQ Sauce
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup hickory bbq sauce Heinz brand
Black Bean Corn Salsa
- 1 ounce can black beans
- 1 ounce can mexicorn
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper ground
- ½ teaspoon cumin ground
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
Salad
- 3 cups romaine lettuce washed and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 6 ounces chicken breast very thinly sliced, grilled
- 2 tablespoons crispy fried onions French's Original brand
Instructions
BBQ Ranch Salad Dressing
- Combine the ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Stir well.
- Cover and refrigerate as you make the remaining parts of the salad.
Apple Cider Vinegar BBQ Sauce
- Combine the BBQ sauce and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl.
- Cover and refrigerate until needed.
Black Bean Corn Salsa
- Rinse the black beans in a colander, and then transfer the beans to a medium bowl.
- Drain the corn and place it into the bowl (it is not necessary to rinse the corn).
- In a separate small bowl, combine the vinegar, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, black pepper, cumin, and chili powder. Mix well.
- Pour it over the black beans and corn. Stir to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to assemble the salad.
Salad Assembly
- Place the romaine lettuce in a serving bowl.
- Sprinkle about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the corn black bean salsa over the lettuce.
- Top with the grilled chicken.
- Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar BBQ sauce over the salad
- Sprinkle two tablespoons of French's Original Crispy Fried Onions on top.
- Serve with the BBQ ranch salad dressing.
Notes
- Use a hickory smoked BBQ sauce similar to Heinz for authentic taste.
- Drain black beans and corn well to avoid watering down the salsa and salad.
- Let the black bean corn salsa marinate for several hours or overnight to enhance flavors.
- Serve chicken slightly warm or cooled to create a contrast with cool lettuce.
- Add crispy fried onions just before serving to maintain their crunch.
- Bring BBQ ranch dressing and apple cider BBQ sauce to room temperature about 15 minutes before serving for better flavor.
- Use hearty greens like romaine to prevent wilting under the toppings and dressings.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 650 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 650kcal | 33% |
| Carbohydrates | 68g | 23% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 32g | 49% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 16g | 94% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 70mg | 23% |
| Sodium | 2740mg | 114% |
| Potassium | 890mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 52g | 104% |
| Vitamin A | 6667IU | 133% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 103mg | 10% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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