This is one of those recipes I make at home now because I just don't eat out hardly ever anymore. I loved this Panera Asian Sesame Salad, but making it at home lets me easily customize it and is way easier on the budget, I can make 4 salads for the price of one at the restaurant.

Whether you want to call it a copycat or inspiration, a nice big salad is one of my favorite lunches or even a good dinner in the hot summer months.
Ingredients
Grab a bag of wonton strips, and sliced almonds at the grocery store, they are usually in the fresh vegetable section by the lettuce greens and refrigerated dressings. I also use a store-bought dressing here and a can of mandarine orange slices. I know I usually preach homemade everything, but this is one of the rare occasions I take a little shortcut.
Beyond the storebought ingredients, you need a little romaine lettuce, and some cilantro, if you like it, and I do grill up some chicken at home too. I love this as a light lunch salad, or I make a really nice big one and have it for dinner.
Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post, or scroll to the bottom of the post to see the full recipe card with ingredient measurements and instructions.
Method
First, chop and wash the romaine, dry it off, and toss it in a big bowl with some cilantro. Add the dressing and toss till it coats the greens.
Place the greens in a serving bowl, and top with some sesame seeds and orange slices.
Finish with some chicken, wontons, and almonds. All that crunch is what makes this recipe a favorite of mine. I like lots of wonton strips.
Notes & Tips
I have written this recipe to make 4 salads. If you are not serving them all at the same time, the ingredients make for great meal prep. Keep the dressing on the side, but place the lettuce and all other ingredients in a storage container and enjoy them as lunches all week long.
I also love to prep all the ingredients ahead of time and lay them all out like a salad bar. Then everyone can make their own salad with their favorite toppings. They can add as much or as little as they like. All about the customizations baby!
On that note, the only real work you have to do for this recipe is to grill the chicken. I season it with a little salt and pepper, then drizzle over some of the dressing and let it marinate for 20-30 minutes before cooking it. Just adds a little extra flavor to the salad.
Substitutions
I prefer crisp romaine for this salad. If you wanted to pack a little more nutrition into it you can add some spinach or use a super green lettuce blend.
If you are not a cilantro lover, leave it out. It is traditional to the restaurant salad, and I love the fresh extra flavor it brings, but all will be ok without it.
If I am going to take a shortcut I still want the best I can get. The Bragg Ginger & Sesame Dressing is my favorite storebought, but you can use your favorite.
I always used to add mandarine oranges to this salad when I ordered it. You can leave them off if you want to be traditional, but I like the brightness of them.
I like to make a meal of this salad, but you can remove the chicken and make it a side salad, or swap it for shrimp, or tofo depending on your needs.
If you can't find wonton strips, or want something a little different, you can swap them for crispy chow mein noodles too.
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📖 Recipe
Panera Asian Sesame Salad
Ingredients
- 6 cups Romain Lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup Cilantro, rough chopped or torn
- ½ cup Bragg Ginger & Sesame Dressing
- 2 tablespoons Sesame Seeds, toasted
- 1, 11 ounce can Mandarin Oranges, drained
- 16 ounces Grilled Chicken Breast, sliced
- 1 ½ cups Sliced Almonds, toasted
- 1 cup Wonton Strips
Instructions
- Toss the romaine, cilantro, and dressing together in a large bowl to coat the lettuce.
- Divide the dressed greens between 4 large bowls and top with sesame seeds.
- Layer the oranges, chicken, almonds, and wontons on top.
- Drizzle on a little more dressing over the chicken, and a sprinkle more sesame seeds and enjoy!
Notes
Notes & Tips
I have written this recipe to make 4 salads. If you are not serving them all at the same time, the ingredients make for great meal prep. Keep the dressing on the side, but place the lettuce and all other ingredients in a storage container and enjoy them as lunches all week long.
I also love to prep all the ingredients ahead of time and lay them all out like a salad bar. Then everyone can make their own salad with their favorite toppings. They can add as much or as little as they like. All about the customizations baby!
On that note, the only real work you have to do for this recipe is to grill the chicken. I season it with a little salt and pepper, then drizzle over some of the dressing and let it marinate for 20-30 minutes before cooking it. Just adds a little extra flavor to the salad.
Substitutions
I prefer crisp romaine for this salad. If you wanted to pack a little more nutrition into it you can add some spinach or use a super green lettuce blend.
If you are not a cilantro lover, leave it out. It is traditional to the restaurant salad, and I love the fresh extra flavor it brings, but all will be ok without it.
If I am going to take a shortcut I still want the best I can get. The Bragg Ginger & Sesame Dressing is my favorite storebought, but you can use your favorite.
I always used to add mandarine oranges to this salad when I ordered it. You can leave them off if you want to be traditional, but I like the brightness of them.
I like to make a meal of this salad, but you can remove the chicken and make it a side salad, or swap it for shrimp, or tofo depending on your needs.
If you can't find wonton strips, or want something a little different, you can swap them for crispy chow mein noodles too.
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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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John Boos MPL1812125G Chop-N-Slice Select Maple Edge Grain Cutting Board, 18 Inches x 12 Inches x 1.25 Inches
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 555Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 337mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 9gSugar: 10gProtein: 46g
This is an estimated caloric value, actual numbers may differ based on the ingredients used.
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