Ok, I might be a little bit embarrassed to admit that I have never eaten at Panera Bread. I know exactly where one is… it’s actually across the street from Pei Wei and we love to eat there. But Panera Bread?!?
Have I been missing out on something yummy and delicious? Are you guys eating there often and I’m missing out?
I’m thinking so!
When I saw a recipe for a Barbecue Chopped Chicken Salad over at Cheerios and Lattes I thought it looked really yummy and that I might want to try it. I was especially interested in it because it was a Panera Copy Cat Recipe and since I haven’t eaten there yet I thought it would be a good indicator if I would like their food.
I’m happy to say that we all loved this salad! Even my picky teenager. I switched out the tortilla chips for Nacho Cheese Doritos and I think it complimented the salad perfectly!
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Barbecue Chopped Chicken Salad (Panera Copy Cat)
Ingredients
- lettuce of your choice we used pre-washed mixed greens... romaine or butter lettuce would be delicious too
- 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (using a rotisserie chicken would be faster)
- garlic salt
- 1 can of sweet corn; drained
- 1 can of black beans; drained
- 1/2 of a red bell pepper diced
- Monterrey Colby Jack cheese shredded
- Doritos Nacho Cheese Chips crushed into smaller pieces
- 1 large avocado chopped into bite sized pieces
- 1/8 - 1/4 cup of your favorite Barbecue Sauce you can always add more if you want
- 3/4 cup Ranch Dressing
Instructions
- Begin by lightly sprinkling your chicken breasts with garlic salt. Cook them on the barbecue until the chicken is done and the internal temp reaches 165°.
- Spray a medium skillet with cooking spray and add your red bell pepper. Cook for about 3 minutes and then add your corn. Continue cooking for another 3 minutes and then add your black beans until they are heated through. Once this mixture is done cooking dump your mixture out on a large plate to allow it to cool so that it won't cook your lettuce when you add it to your salad.
- When your chicken is done cooking chop it into bite sized pieces and allow it to cool for a couple of minutes too.
- Mix your barbecue sauce and ranch dressing in a small bowl. Add more or less barbecue/ranch depending on your taste.
Recipe Notes
Super important... don't add hot ingredients directly over the top of your lettuce. Let it cool for a while so it won't cook your lettuce.
Here are a few other recipes you might enjoy today while you’re here:
Miz Helen
August 23, 2014 at 12:47 pmWhat a great recipe, I can’t wait to try this one! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
Debi @ Life Currents
April 10, 2014 at 1:56 pmMmmm, this looks so good! I just adore salads, and especially ones that look this good! Thanks for sharing over on Foodie Parties, I’ve pinned and Stumbled your recipe. Take a look here for the pin… http://www.pinterest.com/lifecurrents/foodie-party/
Anne
April 8, 2014 at 1:35 amI”m so happy it’s salad season again! I can’t wait to add this to the lineup. I’m glad I found your link through the Twirl & Take a Bow Party.
jcmcb
April 7, 2014 at 7:54 amNow this is a salad I can totally get behind! Seriously, yum! Pinning!!!!
Christine
April 7, 2014 at 4:02 amChipotle is one of my all-time favorite flavors!
Joanne T Ferguson (@mickeydownunder)
April 6, 2014 at 3:04 amG’day! I LOVE chopped salads! Yours looks delicious!
Cheers! Joanne
Becky @ lovetobeinthekitchen
August 27, 2013 at 1:54 pmThis seriously looks so good! I pinned it and am going to share it on my blog FB page!
Shauna {The Best Blog Recipes}
August 27, 2013 at 5:42 pmThanks for stopping by and pinning Becky!
Laurel Stephens
June 14, 2013 at 7:07 amIt was a pleasure to feature your great recipe on Friday Finds today, Shauna. Thanks so much for sharing it and stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend!
Shauna {The Best Blog Recipes}
June 16, 2013 at 10:38 pmThanks again for the feature Laurel!
Savannah
May 25, 2013 at 6:42 amThanks for linking to Saturday Dishes. I am featuring your recipe today on HammockTracks.
[email protected] Food Ramblings
May 8, 2013 at 7:43 amThis is my fav panera salad!
Anyonita @ Anyonita Nibbles
May 6, 2013 at 5:46 pmThank you so much for linking this recipe to the Tasty Tuesdays link party! I’ve pinned this recipe to my Tasty Tuesday’s board. 🙂 This week’s party is live on the blog & I would love for you to come link up with us! Here’s the link: http://anyonitanibbles.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/Tasty-Tuesdays-Link-Party-9.html
Ruthie
May 3, 2013 at 8:31 pmYum… what a delicious salad! Thanks so much for coming to share at Super Saturday Show & Tell last week… I hope you’ll come back to party with me again tomorrow! http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com Have a great night! xoxo~ Ruthie
Kathy Moody
May 3, 2013 at 7:32 pmThis looks so delicious! A Panera Bread just opened up here. We ate there last week, but I missed this one. Thanks so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent. Just pinned. 🙂
Kathy
Dee
May 1, 2013 at 10:58 amYou definitely need to check out Panera! This looks delicious, and the chips would interest my boys long enough to convince them that salad can be dinner!
Shauna {The Best Blog Recipes}
May 3, 2013 at 12:06 amI love it Dee! My daughter is the same way… that’s why I added Doritos to this salad so she wouldn’t complain as much, lol! Hope your boys like it 🙂
Cathy
April 30, 2013 at 9:26 pmPinned! Hopping over from Mandy’s Recipe Box. =)
These look delicious! New follower through Facebook. Would love the follow back. =)
Love your blog! Would love for you to link up on A Peek Into My Paradise T.G.I.F. Link Party on Friday!
Cathy @ http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/
Shauna {The Best Blog Recipes}
April 30, 2013 at 11:40 pmThanks so much for stopping by Cathy! Checked out your page and am now following you on FB too 🙂
Danielle
April 30, 2013 at 9:15 pmI’ve never had this at Panera, but I have to say, Panera is excellent. You’re def. going to have to try it. I love their soups and salads. This looks so yummy and perfect for BBQ season! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays.
Shauna {The Best Blog Recipes}
April 30, 2013 at 11:41 pmEveryone really loves Panera! I can’t hardly wait to try it 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my recipe Danielle!
[email protected]
April 30, 2013 at 8:03 pmOooh.. ahhhhh…. this looks tasty… love the crushed chips too. Thanks for sharing both of your great dishes!
Christi @ The Not So Perfect Mom
April 30, 2013 at 1:37 pmYum, this looks like a fabulous lunch! Love your blog- found you through Memories by the Mile!
Shauna {The Best Blog Recipes}
May 3, 2013 at 12:39 amSo glad you found our blog Christi! I Love Memories By The Mile’s Link Party! Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂
Crafty Lumberjacks
April 30, 2013 at 12:06 pmLooks amazing! Can’t wait to try this!
[email protected]
April 26, 2013 at 7:19 amWell, I love Panera but more – I love salads. Thanks so much for sharing! Pinned for later. Following on FB too. Have a great weekend!
Shauna {The Best Blog Recipes}
May 9, 2013 at 12:02 amThanks Deb for pinning while you were here 🙂 Made sure I was following you too from my FB!
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads
April 25, 2013 at 11:30 amThis recipe sounds fantastic! I’ve been to Panera, but never tried this there before!
Shauna {The Best Blog Recipes}
April 25, 2013 at 10:41 pmThanks Sheena! This recipe was delicious and it got me really excited for my first Panera experience!