Who doesn’t love a Panera strawberry poppyseed salad? We make our version with the addition of oranges and feta cheese. We like to marinate the chicken during the day, and then when we come home, we just roast off the sweet and spicy pecans, slice up some strawberries and oranges and whip up a simple poppyseed dressing. Grilled chicken salad is a great dinner, and if you double the batch you can take some for lunch the next day! Oh, and be sure to make enough of our sweet and spicy toasted pecans!
What you will need to make this salad:
Chicken Breast
- Why it works: Provides a hearty, protein-rich element that balances the lightness of the greens and fruit. The seasoning enhances its flavor.
Seasonings for Chicken
- Granulated Garlic: Adds a mild, savory depth.
- Smoked Paprika: Provides a smoky, slightly sweet warmth.
- Dried Thyme: Lends an earthy, herbaceous note.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami and a touch of tanginess.
- Dijon Mustard: Offers a subtle sharpness and creaminess.
- Sriracha Sauce: Introduces a hint of heat to balance sweetness.
Dressing Ingredients
- Olive Oil: The base for a smooth, silky vinaigrette.
- Champagne or White Wine Vinegar: Brings bright acidity that lifts the salad.
- Orange Juice: Adds citrusy sweetness and brightness.
- Orange Marmalade: Intensifies the citrus profile with sweetness and slight bitterness.
- Honey: Naturally sweetens the dressing and balances acidity.
- Poppy Seeds: Add texture and a subtle nutty flavor.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing all flavors.
Salad Components
- Feta: Adds creamy, tangy richness that contrasts with the sweet fruit.
- Toasted Pecans: Provide crunch and a nutty, buttery flavor.
- Spinach: A nutrient-dense, mild green that serves as a neutral yet fresh base.
- Strawberries: Juicy, sweet, and slightly tart, they are the star of the salad.
- Clementine Oranges: Add bright citrus notes and juicy bursts of flavor.
Why This Combination Works
This salad balances sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy elements. The fruits and dressing bring sweetness, while the chicken and greens provide substance. Feta and pecans add richness and crunch, making the dish both flavorful and satisfying. Perfect for a light yet filling meal.
Are Poppy Seeds good for you?
Poppy seeds are particularly rich in manganese, a trace element important for bone health and blood clotting. This mineral also helps your body utilize amino acids, fats, and carbs. They’re likewise high in copper, a mineral needed to make connective tissue and transport iron.
6 Emerging Benefits of Poppy Seeds
Are Blueberries a healthy addition to this salad?
Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and phytoflavinoids. Blueberries are also high in potassium and vitamin C, making them the top choice of doctors and nutritionists. Not only can they lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, they are also anti-inflammatory.
10 Proven Health Benefits of Blueberries
Equipment
- Sharp knife
- Grill
- sheet pan
- Whisk
Ingredients
Ingredients for Marinated Grilled Chicken:
- 1 chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce
Ingredients for poppyseed dressing:
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup champagne or white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice
- 3 tablespoons orange marmalade
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- Fresh cracked pepper
- Pinch of sea salt
Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad Ingredients:
- 4 ounce fresh baby spinach
- 2 small clementine oranges peeled pith removed and sliced
- 8 strawberries sliced
- ½ cup sweet and spicy roasted pecans
- 2 ounces feta cheese crumbled
Instructions
- A few hours before, or night before, add chicken to a sealable container, and add the ingredients for the marinade. Be sure to coat all sides and allow at least 1 hour to marinade.1 chicken breast, 1 teaspoon granulated garlic, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce
- Prepare sweet and spicy toasted pecans.
- To grill the chicken, prepare the grill that you are using. Grill chicken for 3 minutes, then turn over. Grill for another 3 minutes and turn again, giving it a half spin, to create grill marks. Grill for another 3 minutes. Turn one last time, and grill for 2-3 minutes. Depending on the thickness of your chicken and the heat of the grill, you want to make sure chicken is done. For chicken breasts, check for 160 degrees internal temp, then pull off the grill, and cover with foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes.1 chicken breast
- While chicken is grilling make the dressing. Mix together all the ingredients, and taste. Adjust seasonings or add more mustard, honey or juice as needed. Set aside.½ cup olive oil, ¼ cup champagne or white wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice, 3 tablespoons orange marmalade, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, Fresh cracked pepper, Pinch of sea salt
- Slice strawberries, peel oranges and slice, and crumble feta cheese.8 strawberries sliced, 2 ounces feta cheese, 2 small clementine oranges peeled
- Uncover chicken and slice into bite size chunks. Prepare salad by adding spinach, strawberries and oranges to a plate. Arrange grilled chicken over the top. Add the feta, pecans and drizzle dressing over, serving additional along the side.½ cup sweet and spicy roasted pecans, 4 ounce fresh baby spinach
Nutrition
More salad inspo….
We used to buy this salad all of the time! Love the addition of oranges and feta! Yum!
Elaine and James,
Thank you! This is a tasty meal to share! So glad you like it!
Dina and Bruce
I love everything about this salad. I made it last night for my family and they loved it! The toasted pecans are my favorite.
Gina,
The toasted pecans are so yummy! Thank you!!
Dina and Bruce
Oh yum! Such a beautiful salad! Love all the color and the flavors sound fantastic too.
Tara,
We truly appreciate this! Thank you,
Dina and Bruce
Such an incredible salad. Really light and fresh flavours.
Anything with toasted pecans as a topping has my attention! I’ve had Panera’s version of this salad, but I’m excited to try making it for myself!
Nathan,
Bruce loves to toast pecans or walnuts for salads, they are so tasty! Thank you!!
Dina and Bruce
Love this delightfully delicious meal-sized salad. The homemade poppyseed dressing is the BEST!
Shelby,
Awe, thank you so much! We love making it in the Summer!Thank you,
Dina and Bruce
Oh wow, this looks incredible! Love all the flavors and that poppyseed dressing, Yummy!
This salad has everything, it’s fruity but spicy and the dressing is amazing! We loved it and I make it again.
That is one healthy bowl of salad. Colourful bites and nutritious too.
Yummy! This was so delicious! I love this salad at Panera so it is nice to have this recipe in my back pocket.
Such a delicious summery salad! I loved it!
Ned,
Yay! So happy!
Dina and Bruce
This is everything you could ever ask for in a summer salad.
Charla,
We appreciate your kind words!
Dina and Bruce
I made this salad for lunch today and it totally hit the spot! It was refreshing but still filling and satisfying. And I think it tasted even better than the Panera version!
Anjali,
You have seriously made our day! Thank you!
Dina and Bruce
Such a delicious salad. Loved the strawberries and mandarin combination – so refreshing.
Amanda,
Thank you. It has become a favorite at our home.
Dina and Bruce