Why Make This Recipe
Panera’s Best-Loved Entrée Salad is a fresh and tasty option for lunch or dinner. It combines healthy ingredients and delightful flavors. This salad is not only filling but also easy to make, making it perfect for busy weekdays or a quick meal prep on weekends.
How to Make Panera’s Best-Loved Entrée Salad
Ingredients:
- Mixed greens
- Canned mandarins (packed in 100 percent juice)
- Canned pineapple (packed in 100 percent juice)
- Grilled chicken breast
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Red onion
- Salad dressing (optional sugar omitted)
Directions:
- In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, canned mandarins, and canned pineapple.
- Add grilled chicken breast, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion to the salad.
- Drizzle with dressing of your choice, reducing sugar as desired.
- Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.
How to Serve Panera’s Best-Loved Entrée Salad
Serve this salad chilled for the best taste. It goes great as a main dish or as a side. You can pair it with some crusty bread or a light soup for a complete meal.
How to Store Panera’s Best-Loved Entrée Salad
If you have leftovers, store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is best to keep the dressing separate until you are ready to eat. The salad will stay fresh for up to two days.
Tips to Make Panera’s Best-Loved Entrée Salad
- Use fresh mixed greens for a crisper texture.
- Grilled chicken can be replaced with rotisserie chicken for a quicker option.
- Adjust the amount of canned fruits based on your taste preference.
- Feel free to add nuts or seeds for extra crunch.
Variation
You can easily change this salad by adding different fruits like strawberries or apple slices. You might also try adding cheese such as feta or goat cheese to enhance the flavor.
FAQs
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time but keep the dressing separate until serving.
What if I don’t have canned fruits?
You can use fresh fruits instead. Fresh mandarins and pineapple will work well.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is great for meal prep! Just assemble the ingredients without the dressing, and it will stay fresh for a few days.
Panera’s Best-Loved Entrée Salad
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 6 cups Mixed greens Fresh mixed greens for a crisper texture.
- 1 can Canned mandarins (packed in 100 percent juice) Can be replaced with fresh mandarins if desired.
- 1 can Canned pineapple (packed in 100 percent juice) Fresh pineapple can also be used.
- 2 cups Grilled chicken breast Can be substituted with rotisserie chicken.
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup Cucumbers
- 1/2 cup Red onion
- to taste Salad dressing (optional sugar omitted) Drizzle with your favorite dressing, adjusting sugar as desired.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, canned mandarins, and canned pineapple.
- Add grilled chicken breast, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion to the salad.
- Drizzle with dressing of your choice, reducing sugar as desired.
- Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.