When I told a friend I was creating a variation on a Panera salad, she blurted out, “Is it the Strawberry Poppyseed Salad?” Truth be told, this super popular salad is one of Panera’s better-for-you options, but why go out when it’s a snap to make at home? Crisp lettuce, tender chicken, sweet strawberries, blueberries, and mandarin orange slices are topped with crunchy pecans and drizzled with an addictive Poppy Seed dressing. You may like even better than the original!
(PS Yep, the food stylist got a little nutty. There are more nuts than in the recipe, but feel free to add more if you choose. Each halve is ~ 10 calories).
MAKES 2 SERVINGS
DRESSING:
1 1/2 tablespoons light orange juice
1 1/2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon poppy seeds
SALAD:
3 1/2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1/3 cup mandarin oranges, drained
1/3 cup fresh blueberries
2/3 cup chopped cooked chicken breast
2 rounded tablespoons toasted pecans (or 10 halves)
1. For the dressing, in a small bowl, whisk together the first 6 ingredients (orange juice through poppy seeds). Set aside.
2. Divide lettuce between 2 plates or flat bowls. Divide the strawberries, oranges, and blueberries between each plate, tucking fruit into the lettuce. Drizzle each salad with 2 tablespoons dressing, top with 1/3 cup chicken, and garnish with pecans.
LOVE the dressing? Go ahead and use it on other salads. It has just 40 calories, 2.5 grams fat, 4 grams carbohydrate, and 120 milligrams sodium per 2 tablespoon serving.
NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING: Calories 230 | Carbohydrate 16g (Sugars 10g) | Total Fat 8g (Sat Fat 0.5g) | Protein 24g | Fiber 4g | Sodium 350mg | Food Exchanges: 2 Lean Meat, 1 Fruit, 1 Vegetable, 1 Fat| Carbohydrate Choices: 1 | Weight Watcher Freestyle Smart Point Comparison: 3
