Copycat Panera Asian Sesame Chicken Salad

By Susan52

Ingredients

• For Salad:
• 1 bag chopped romaine lettuce
• 1 bag baby spinach
• 4 medium chicken breasts
• For the chicken marinade:3 Tablespoons soy sauce or gluten-free Tamari (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce)
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• For the dressing:
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1-1/2 teaspoons sesame oil, toasted in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted
• Salad toppings:
• Chopped cilantro
• 11oz can mandarin oranges packed in water or 100% juice (rinse in water if packed in syrup)
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• Baked or fried wonton strips
• Sesame seeds

Preparation

Step 1

For the chicken:

Whisk together chicken marinade ingredients, and marinate chicken for 15 minutes. Grill, or cook in a non-stick sprayed skillet until done, then let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Cut into slices.
For the dressing: Bring vinegar to a boil in a small saucepan. Turn off the heat, then add in the sugar and stir until dissolved. Let cool. Combine with the rest of the dressing ingredients in a jar, and shake to combine.

Divide lettuce and spinach between four plates. Top with sliced chicken, salad dressing,and toppings.