Panera has been one of my go-to places when ordering out just because of their healthy menu, there is much less temptation. I fell in LOVE with their Asian Sesame Chicken Salad. After realizing how much money I was spending every week ordering lunch, I decided that it was time to just make it myself. After a few tries, I finally got a recipe that tastes just as good, if not better! — A DELICIOUS salad of romaine lettuce, slivered almonds, Asian style marinated grilled chicken, crispy wonton strips, and all topped with a sweet and pungent sesame vinaigrette dressing.
Ingredients:
Sesame Vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup Rice Vinegar
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 2 smashed Garlic Cloves
- 2 tbsp. Sesame Oil
- 1 tbsp. Vegetable Oil
- 2 tbsp. Low Sodium Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp. Sesame Seeds
Chicken Marinade:
- 2 tbsp. Low Sodium Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp. Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp. Teriyaki Sauce
- 2 tsp. Sriracha Sauce
- 1/2 tsp. Minced Garlic
- 1 tsp. Sesame Oil
Salad:
- 4 Romaine Lettuce Hearts, chopped (or your lettuce of choice)
- 1/2 cup of Wonton Strips
- 1/4 cup Slivered Almonds
- 1/4 cup Cilantro, chopped
- 15 oz. Cooked Grilled Chicken, sliced.
Instructions:
Marinated Grilled Chicken:
- If chicken breasts are thick, slice them the long way into halves or thirds to create a thinner slice of chicken. Combine the marinade ingredients and fully coat the chicken. let chicken marinate in a bowl or on a sheet pan, covered in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Using either an outdoor grill or on a stove top with a grill pan or skillet, cook the chicken for about 5 to 6 minutes or until completely cooked through.
- Leave chicken to the side to rest.
Sesame Vinaigrette:
- Using a small saucepan, bring the rice vinegar to a gentle boil over medium-low heat. Add the brown sugar and garlic cloves and slowly whisk until brown sugar is completely dissolved. Remove mixture from the heat and discard the cloves of garlic.
- Slowly pour the rice vinegar mixture into a container. Add the sesame oil, vegetable oil, soy sauce, and sesame seeds. Allow dressing to come to room temperature (about 20 minutes)
- When ready to use, shake the container to mix together the separated oils.
Salad Assembly:
- In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, cilantro, and slivered almonds. Slice the chicken and toss into the salad. Add as much dressing as you would like and mix to coat the salad.
- Sprinkle on the Fried Wonton strips and enjoy!
Healthy With a Spoonful of Sugar 
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