Make Panera's Famous Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad at Home for a Fraction of the Cost

If you love Panera's Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad, you're not alone. It doesn't get more delicious than the sweet and savory combination of grilled chicken, fresh fruit, and creamy poppy seed dressing. Here, we've created a homemade twist on the restaurant favorite that checks all the boxes for breezy summer cooking: it looks fancy, tastes incredible, and comes together in just minutes. This is one copycat recipe you need to try.

How to Make Balsamic Grilled Chicken

In a medium bowl combine 2 Tbsp. olive oil; 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1/2 tsp. salt; and 1/2 tsp. black pepper. Add two 6-oz. chicken breasts; turn to coat. Cover; chill 30 minutes to 1 hour. Remove chicken from marinade; discard any remaining marinade. Grill chicken over medium, turning once, until done (165°F), 8 to 10 minutes. Cool chicken slightly; slice into 1/4-inch strips. To broil chicken, preheat broiler. Place chicken on the unheated rack of a broiler pan. Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat, turning once, until done (165°F), 8 to 10 minutes.

How to Make Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad Ahead

Chill salad mixture, chicken, and dressing in separate airtight containers. Dressing can be stored up to 2 weeks; salad and chicken can be stored up to 3 days.

How to Toast Nuts

To toast nuts, preheat oven to 350°F. Spread nuts on a baking sheet; bake, stirring once, until toasted and fragrant, about 8 minutes