Welcome to my kitchen! Today I’m excited to share with you my recipe for Panera Southwest Salad. This hearty salad is full of flavors and textures sure to tantalize the taste buds.
Panera Southwest Salad
This bright and vibrant salad takes inspiration from the American Southwest and brings together the perfect blend of contrasting flavors and textures. The ingredients include seasoned, diced chicken breasts, crisp lettuce, roasted sweet corn, black beans, freshly diced tomatoes, mild pepper jalapenos, a blend of cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, and a zesty cilantro-lime vinaigrette dressing.
Ingredients
– 2 chicken breasts, seasoned and diced
– 4 cups lettuce, chopped
– 1 cup sweet corn, roasted
– ½ cup black beans, drained and rinsed
– 1 cup tomatoes, diced
– 2-3 jalapenos, de-seeded and finely diced
– ½ cup cheddar cheese, grated
– ½ cup pepper jack cheese, grated
– ½ cup cilantro, finely chopped
– Juice of 1 lime
– ¼ cup olive oil
– 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
– 1 teaspoon honey
– 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
– Pinch of salt and pepper.
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 375F/190C.
2. Place the diced chicken onto a lined baking tray, season with salt and pepper and bake for 20 minutes, or until cooked through.
3. In a large salad bowl, combine lettuce, roasted sweet corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, jalapenos and grated cheese.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
5. Add the cooked chicken to the large salad bowl.
6. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
7. Serve immediately.
This Southwest Salad is perfect as a main meal or side dish, and can easily be customized with your favorite toppings and dressings. I love the combination of the sweet and savory flavors, and while the jalapenos add a pleasant kick of heat, it’s not overpowering. I like to switch things up by adding some other american southwest elements, such as cornbread, crispy tortilla strips, or spicy sausage.
Make sure to give this easy and delicious Panera Southwest Salad a try, and let me know what you think. Bon Appetit!