I’m bringing this one back up from the archives to share with you today. Because I’m pretty sure we all need more of this salad in our lives.
I only have a handful of restaurant copycat recipes here on the blog. But after having ordered the Fuji apple chicken salad at Panera for nearly a decade, I decided a few years ago that it was high time to learn how to make it for myself. Because clearly, it must be a keeper if I’m still not tired of it after so many years. (The same goes for their French onion soup, which I’m convinced is made with some magical secret ingredient that makes it better than all French onion soups. I digress…)
The good news about this salad is that it’s really nothing fancy. Just a simple green salad made with dried apple chips, seasoned chicken breasts, and a white balsamic vinaigrette. Although I have to admit that I do use this salad as an excuse to make a batch of my favorite candied pecans to throw on top of it. I may use a few more of those than Panera. ;)
Here’s how to make it!
Well first off, here’s a photo I took of the salad back in 2011. It was when I was in my bright-solid-colored backgrounds stage, and when all of the walls in my house were painted bright colors.
Now I live in a loft with completely white and neutral tones, and I’m in a white-on-white photography stage. Coincidence?
Well, at least the salad has remained the same over the years. It’s literally overflowing with mixed greens, sliced chicken breasts, apple chips (the crunchy, not soft ones), gorgonzola…
…and lots of those candied pecans I was talking about.
Then it’s drizzled with a simple white balsamic vinaigrette. (Although if you can’t get your paws on white balsamic, traditional balsamic vinegar will also work well in the vinaigrette.) Panera’s version of the salad also includes tomatoes. But I happen to prefer this salad without, so I left them out.
Just throw all of the ingredients in a bowl and give it a good toss.
And then voila — a restaurant-quality salad is ready to go in the comfort of your own home.
Thanks, Panera Bread, for the inspiration on this one. It’s a keeper!
Fuji Apple Chicken Salad (Panera Copycat)
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients:
- 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (10 oz.) bag mixed greens
- quarter of a red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups apple chips
- 1 cup glazed pecans
- 1/2 cup gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup freshly-diced tomatoes (optional)
White Balsamic Vinaigrette Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
- 2-3 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
To Make The Salad:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a baking sheet with aluminum foil, then mist it with cooking spray or oil.
- Brush chicken breasts with olive oil, then season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. (Or you can add your favorite seasonings.) Place on prepared baking sheet, and cook for 20-30 minutes, or until internal temperature is 160 degrees and the juices run clear. Remove and let chicken cool for at least 10 minutes, then thinly slice or shred.
- Toss the remaining salad ingredients together in a large bowl, and drizzle on your desired amount of vinaigrette. Toss and serve immediately.
To Make The Vinaigrette:
- Whisk all ingredients together until blended.
Notes
Did you make this?Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
I can’t find any dried apple slices anymore. I used to buy them all the time. They were in the produce section with other salad toppings. All kinds of flavors too. Do you know where I can get them now. I really don’t want to have to make my own.
Hi Nadine! Hmmm, that’s so strange! We usually see them in little kiosks, hanging from those clips (in the fresh fruit section) and sometimes in the dried fruit and nuts aisle. We hope this helps!
Do you make your own crunchy apples ? If so -please share the recipe and process. ?
Hi BeBe! We just bought them, but they are super easy to make:
I love every ingredient used to make this delish salad; however, I always always request the salad maker hold the apple chips and instead request they slice up a freash apple to top my salad…..yum yum…..why eat dried fruit when we all know Panera has lotsa fresh apples behind that counter??!!! Try it and let me know what you think….
We think that would be delicious as well Kymmi! :)
I’m in love with your blog. Happy New Year!
I love that you added ranch! I love easy recipes like this!
Paneras fuji Apple vinaigrette is actually sold in grocery stores now so u can have the delicious authentic dressing at home too. It’s made with sugar, apple juice concentrate, cider vinegar along with oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon and some other stuff. I’d love to find a homemade version of the Apple vinegrette to save $. This is my favorite salad in the world!!
Can I even tell you how excited I am that you’re sharing this! I travel for work and I seek out Panera wherever I go, mainly because it’s quick food that involves vegetables, unlike most fast food places. And this salad is my go-to! The dressing is something I’ve been coveting in my everyday life for so long… I can’t wait to put this together at home! Woohoo!
Thanks Michelle, we hope you enjoy making it! :)
Great salad! Where did you get the apple chips?
Did you know they now sell Panera Fuji Apple Dressing in the grocery stores? Just bought some yesterday, yum!
Another great recipe by Gimme Some Oven! I just made and ate this tonight. :) It was so good and packed with flavor and crunch! Thanks for all of the great recipes you post. I’ve been having fun trying them and have loved all of them!!!