Mixed greens tossed with juicy chicken, crispy apple slices, red onions, blue cheese and crunchy pecans. A fresh and healthy Fuji Apple Chicken Salad inspired by the famous Panera Bread version.
I’ve been holding off on you. When we were in Washington D.C. in September we ate at Panera Bread and I tried their fuji apple chicken salad. SO GOOD! Addiction-worthy-good. So, naturally, I re-created it when we got home and it was incredible. I love that I don’t have to head out to find a Panera whenever I get the craving for this salad.
But why on earth did I wait so long to share this recipe?? Well it seems like September would have been perfect timing, what with apple season and all, but I got all wrapped up in sweet potato casseroles, glazed hams and homemade candy that I kind of forgot about it for a millisecond and next thing I knew it was 3 days til Christmas and all I wanted to do was stuff my face with cookies. But now it’s January! Salad season! My favorite. So I know it’s terrible that I’ve been holding out for so long but… better late than never right?
Fuji Apple Chicken Salad (Panera Bread Copycat)
Mixed greens tossed with juicy chicken, crispy apple slices, red onions, blue cheese and crunchy pecans. A fresh and healthy salad inspired by the famous Panera Bread version.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to half inch thickness
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 6-8 cups mixed greens
- 2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup pecan halves (such as Diamond of California)
- 1/2 cup gorgonzola or blue cheese crumbles
- 2 cups apple chips (store-bought or go [url:1]here[/url] for a great homemade version)
- 1 cup fuji apple salad dressing store-bought (I prefer the one by Lighthouse, it's my fav!) or homemade (click [url:2]here[/url] for a recipe)
Instructions
-
Season chicken breasts with seasoning salt and cook on both sides for 3-4 minutes each in a greased skillet or pan over medium heat. Cut into pieces and set aside.
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In a large bowl toss together mixed greens, tomatoes, sliced onions, and chicken. Sprinkle pecans, cheese crumbles, and apple chips on top. Serve with fuji apple dressing.
Recipe adapted from spicy southern kitchen
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps
I feel like apples are something I eat all year round, no matter if they’re in season or not, so this salad is perfect! Beautiful too!
Tiffany
It’s so true, apples are always in season in my mind – I generally crave strawberries more in the spring and summer but apples I will go for any time of year!
Millie l Add A Little
Looks lovely Tiffany, I love the crunch and sweetness from the apples!
Alaina {Fabtastic Eats}
This is my favorite panera salad, I get it every single time I go! I’ve tried to recreate it at home a ton of times, but could never get the dressing just right! How did I not know that there is a store bought version? Definitely making this happen asap! Thanks for a great copycat!
Kathryn
Target sells the actual Panera Bread dressings. I just picked up a bottle of the Fuji Apple one today. 😊
chrissy mcdonald
I love this salad recipe! Love your blog and can’t believe you post every day. Thanks for the ideas, I feed five kids daily plus an extra teenager or two.
Tiffany
Wow! That’s incredible you feed so many – especially kids cause they can be picky!! Thanks for reading my blog, I’m SO glad you enjoy these recipes as much as we do!! 🙂
Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek
Dang this looks good. I think it calls for a run to the store. Something fresh and healthy after the junk food feeding frenzy of the past six weeks sound oh so good.
Seb @ Twokitchenjunkies
This is looking very good . I am a big fan of apple in salad so I am sure to give this a shot soon. It is a little cold here for salads at the moment (for me a salad is for warm weather). Anyways thanks for sharing I have added it to Pinterest as well, your photography is amazing
seb
Sue Thach
Panera sells their dressing for this salad now. I buy it at Publix.
Tiffany
Good to know!
Amy @ Amy's Healthy Baking
Every season is salad season for me! I’m addicted to all of the healthy stuff, and SO many combinations! And oh Panera… I love, love, LOVE going there. Way too much. The workers practically started to recognize me before we moved. Whoops! 😉 But now I can make my own at home, thanks to your gorgeous bowl! Pinned!
Tiffany
You’re the healthy cooking QUEEN! And really. Salad never goes out of season or style. 😉
Christina
They starting selling Panera Dressing in my local supermarket which makes putting this salad together so much easier and cheaper!! Thanks for the recipe!!
Kristen
Love Panera’s salad and so I had to try this! Had it for lunch today…so good! Thanks!!
Lisa Thompson
Delicious! I opted to use Butterball Turkey breast vs. chicken with excellent results. I added a little chopped celery for a bit more crunch. I used Hellman’s light mayo and an additional Tbsp. fat free greek yogurt to make it extra creamy plus a pinch of salt. I mixed the dressing ingredients separate and then folded it into the other ingredients. I let it chill for a couple of hours and it was perfect over a bed of lettuce for a nice lunch!
Denise Anthony
I am a die hard apple salad by