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March 16, 2023 chicken

Panera Poppy Seed Strawberry Salad & Grilled Chicken

Who doesn’t love a Panera Poppy Seed 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!

Jump to Recipe
Spinach salad with oranges, strawberries, chicken, pecans, and feta, with a bowl of strawberries and pecans and an orange and a pitcher of 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! If you want a more simple salad, give our Caesar dressing a try, simple to whip up in a big batch, so you can make a quick salad any night!

3 Reasons You’ll Love This Salad:

  1. Burst of Freshness – Packed with juicy strawberries, blueberries, and mandarin oranges, it’s a refreshing, vibrant dish.
  2. Light Yet Satisfying – With grilled chicken and a flavorful poppyseed dressing, it’s a perfect balance of protein and sweetness.
  3. Easy & Customizable – Simple ingredients make it quick to prepare, and you can easily swap items to fit your preferences.

What you will need to make this Panera Poppy Seed Strawberry Salad:

Chicken Breast: 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.

strawberries in a white bowl
spinach on a cutting board
Sweet and spicy roasted pecans

How to make the Panera Poppy Seed Strawberry Salad:

Marinate the Chicken:

  1. Mix the Marinade – In a bowl, whisk together Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, Sriracha, olive oil, and lemon juice (if using).
  2. Add Dry Seasonings – Stir in granulated garlic, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Marinate the Chicken – Place the chicken breasts in a ziplock bag or shallow dish, and pour the marinade over them.
  4. Let It Soak:
    • At Least 30 Minutes: Allows the flavors to infuse.
    • Overnight (Best for Deep Flavor): Cover and refrigerate for up to 12 hours for maximum tenderness.

Next, Make the Poppy Seed Dressing:

  1. In a small bowl, or mason jar, add the oil, vinegar, juice, marmalade, honey and whisk.
  2. Stir in poppyseeds and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Assemble the rest of the salad ingredients:

  1. Toast the Pecans
  2. Assemble the Spinach
  3. Slice the strawberries
  4. Peel and segment the oranges
  5. Add the Spinach to the plates
  6. Break apart the feta cheese

Now: Grill the Chicken:

    • Grill: Cook on medium heat for 5-6 minutes per side until the internal temp reaches 165°F.
    • Pan-Sear: Heat a skillet with a little oil and cook for 6-7 minutes per side.
    • Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F and bake for 20-25 minutes.
  1. Rest & Slice – Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing it thinly for your Strawberry Poppyseed Salad!

Make the salad!

  • Add the sliced chicken to top of spinach
  • Add pecans, feta, oranges, strawberries and drizzle with dressing.

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.

panera strawberry salad with chicken

Substitutions & Tips:

  • Protein Swap – Use shrimp, tofu, or rotisserie chicken for a different twist.
  • Nut-Free Option – Replace pecans with sunflower seeds for crunch without allergens.
  • Dressing Alternative – If you don’t have poppyseed dressing, try a honey-lime vinaigrette.
  • Make-Ahead Tip – Prep the ingredients separately and combine just before serving to keep everything fresh.

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

 

a white bowl with poppy seeds
Grilled chicken spinach salad with strawberries, oranges, pecans and poppyseed dressing.
Spinach salad with oranges, strawberries, chicken, pecans, and feta, with a bowl of strawberries and pecans and an orange and a pitcher of poppyseed dressing

Panera Strawberry and Poppyseed Salad

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
Prep Time: 3 hours hours
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 3 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Course: entree, Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: panera, poppyseed, Salad, strawberries
Servings: 3 servings
Calories: 737kcal
Author: Bruce and Dina Miller

Equipment

  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Grill
  • sheet pan
  • small bowl
  • 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

Serving: 1salad | Calories: 737kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 57g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 36g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 510mg | Potassium: 850mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 4276IU | Vitamin C: 55mg | Calcium: 241mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More salad inspo….

 

  • Pasta House Italian Salad
  • Greek Shrimp Salad
  • Mango Shrimp Salad
Pasta House Italian Salad with black olives, red onions and artichokes in a bowl
Greek shrimp salad with avocado
mango chicken salad with avocado cilantro dressing

Categories: chicken

Previous Post: « Blackberry Simple Syrup
Next Post: Greek Seasoning Blend (DIY!) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elaine & James says

    March 30, 2022 at 2:54 pm

    5 stars
    We used to buy this salad all of the time! Love the addition of oranges and feta! Yum!

    Reply
    • Bruce and Dina MillerBruce and Dina Miller says

      March 30, 2022 at 7:46 pm

      Elaine and James,

      Thank you! This is a tasty meal to share! So glad you like it!

      Dina and Bruce

      Reply
  2. Gina Abernathy says

    May 12, 2023 at 1:41 pm

    5 stars
    I love everything about this salad. I made it last night for my family and they loved it! The toasted pecans are my favorite.

    Reply
    • Bruce and Dina MillerBruce and Dina Miller says

      May 13, 2023 at 1:19 pm

      Gina,

      The toasted pecans are so yummy! Thank you!!

      Dina and Bruce

      Reply
  3. Tara says

    May 12, 2023 at 2:15 pm

    5 stars
    Oh yum! Such a beautiful salad! Love all the color and the flavors sound fantastic too.

    Reply
    • Bruce and Dina MillerBruce and Dina Miller says

      May 13, 2023 at 1:19 pm

      Tara,

      We truly appreciate this! Thank you,

      Dina and Bruce

      Reply
  4. Dannii says

    May 12, 2023 at 2:27 pm

    5 stars
    Such an incredible salad. Really light and fresh flavours.

    Reply
  5. Nathan says

    May 12, 2023 at 2:53 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Bruce and Dina MillerBruce and Dina Miller says

      May 13, 2023 at 1:18 pm

      Nathan,

      Bruce loves to toast pecans or walnuts for salads, they are so tasty! Thank you!!

      Dina and Bruce

      Reply
  6. Shelby says

    May 12, 2023 at 3:05 pm

    5 stars
    Love this delightfully delicious meal-sized salad. The homemade poppyseed dressing is the BEST!

    Reply
    • Bruce and Dina MillerBruce and Dina Miller says

      May 13, 2023 at 1:18 pm

      Shelby,

      Awe, thank you so much! We love making it in the Summer!Thank you,

      Dina and Bruce

      Reply
  7. Nikki says

    May 16, 2023 at 4:15 pm

    5 stars
    Oh wow, this looks incredible! Love all the flavors and that poppyseed dressing, Yummy!

    Reply
  8. Colleen says

    May 16, 2023 at 5:15 pm

    5 stars
    This salad has everything, it’s fruity but spicy and the dressing is amazing! We loved it and I make it again.

    Reply
  9. Seema Doraiswamy Sriram says

    May 16, 2023 at 5:46 pm

    5 stars
    That is one healthy bowl of salad. Colourful bites and nutritious too.

    Reply
  10. Amy Desrosiers@gmail.com says

    May 16, 2023 at 6:39 pm

    5 stars
    Yummy! This was so delicious! I love this salad at Panera so it is nice to have this recipe in my back pocket.

    Reply
  11. Ned says

    June 1, 2023 at 11:07 pm

    5 stars
    Such a delicious summery salad! I loved it!

    Reply
    • Bruce and Dina MillerBruce and Dina Miller says

      June 2, 2023 at 6:50 am

      Ned,

      Yay! So happy!

      Dina and Bruce

      Reply
  12. Charla says

    June 2, 2023 at 1:07 am

    5 stars
    This is everything you could ever ask for in a summer salad.

    Reply
    • Bruce and Dina MillerBruce and Dina Miller says

      June 2, 2023 at 6:50 am

      Charla,

      We appreciate your kind words!

      Dina and Bruce

      Reply
  13. Anjali says

    June 2, 2023 at 2:38 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Bruce and Dina MillerBruce and Dina Miller says

      June 2, 2023 at 6:49 am

      Anjali,

      You have seriously made our day! Thank you!

      Dina and Bruce

      Reply
  14. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

    June 2, 2023 at 2:43 am

    5 stars
    Such a delicious salad. Loved the strawberries and mandarin combination – so refreshing.

    Reply
    • Bruce and Dina MillerBruce and Dina Miller says

      June 2, 2023 at 6:49 am

      Amanda,

      Thank you. It has become a favorite at our home.

      Dina and Bruce

      Reply

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Grilled chicken spinach salad with strawberries, oranges, pecans and poppyseed dressing.
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