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Creamy Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad Recipe Easy and Homemade

creamy copycat Panera strawberry poppyseed chicken salad - featured image
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A fresh and flavorful chicken salad combining shredded chicken, sweet strawberries, crunchy pecans, and a creamy poppyseed dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or easy entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast (rotisserie chicken works great for convenience)
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
  • 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions (optional)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: shred about 2 cups finely with two forks or your hands.
  2. Toast the pecans: heat a dry skillet over medium heat, add 1/2 cup chopped pecans and toast, stirring frequently, until fragrant and slightly browned, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  3. Slice the strawberries: wash and pat dry 1 cup fresh strawberries, then slice thinly.
  4. Chop the celery and green onions: finely chop 1/2 cup celery and thinly slice 2 tablespoons green onions.
  5. Make the dressing: in a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon poppy seeds. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Combine salad ingredients: add shredded chicken, sliced strawberries, toasted pecans, celery, and green onions to the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold everything together until well coated, being careful not to mash the strawberries.
  7. Chill before serving: cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  8. Final taste check: before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Toast pecans to enhance flavor. Use firm, ripe strawberries to avoid watery salad. Shred chicken finely for better dressing absorption. Make dressing fresh and chill salad before serving. Avoid over-mixing to keep strawberries intact. Prep chicken and dressing a day ahead to save time.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken salad, strawberry poppyseed salad, Panera copycat, creamy chicken salad, easy lunch recipe, homemade chicken salad

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