The first time I ordered Panera’s Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken, I was utterly won over. The perfect balance of flavors and textures created a truly memorable meal – tender, seasoned chicken, crisp mixed greens, sweet-tart apple chips, crunchy toasted pecans, and that unmistakable tangy gorgonzola cheese. But the distinctive Fuji apple dressing that tied everything together truly elevated this salad to must-have status. After that memorable lunch, I craved this perfect combination and became determined to recreate the entire experience at home. After numerous attempts to get each element just right, I’m thrilled to share this complete copycat recipe that captures the essence of Panera’s beloved signature salad.
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Table of Contents
What Makes Panera Fuji Apple Salad the Perfect Lunch?
Healthier food doesn’t need to be boring. The Fuji Apple Salad from Panera Bread proves how deliciously better food choices can taste.
This salad dressing will surprise you with its well-balanced fruity profile. It’s incredible how just a tiny amount of apple juice tremendously impacts the flavor. That juice provides a complex sweetness that harmonizes perfectly with the tart white balsamic vinegar, creating something uniquely delicious.
It comes loaded with seasoned chicken, crunchy mixed greens, tart red onions and tomatoes, sweet apple chips, crunchy toasted pecans, pungent blue cheese, and the best vinaigrette you have ever tried. Eating smarter never tasted so good.
Why You Should Try This Fuji Apple Chicken Salad Recipe
This is one of those recipes you’ll want to commit to memory because you’ll reach for it repeatedly. By making a Fuji Apple Salad yourself at home and bringing it to work, you can save a lot of money while still getting all the classic flavor you love!
The Fuji Apple Salad:
- Takes just 5 minutes to prepare (plus chicken cooking time)
- Uses simple ingredients most likely already in your pantry
- Tastes significantly fresher than bottled alternatives
- Works beautifully on various salads or as a marinade
- Contains no preservatives or artificial ingredients
Save your cash for that after-work splurge with this Panera Bread Fuji Apple Salad copycat recipe.
Panera Fuji Apple Salad Recipe Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – Provide lean protein and make this salad a complete meal
- Salt – Enhances the chicken’s natural flavor
- Freshly ground black pepper – Adds a subtle hint of spice to the chicken
- Garlic powder – Contributes savory depth to the chicken without overpowering it
For the Dressing:
- White balsamic vinegar – Provides acidity and brightness with a milder, sweeter profile than regular balsamic
- Honey – Balances the acidity with natural sweetness and helps emulsify the dressing
- Fuji apple juice – Delivers the signature apple flavor with hints of citrus and pear notes
- Sea salt – Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness
- Freshly ground black pepper – Adds subtle warmth and complexity
- Garlic powder – Contributes savory depth without overpowering the fruit flavors
- Onion powder – Adds aromatic sweetness and rounds out the flavor profile
- Extra virgin olive oil – Creates the rich, smooth base for the dressing while adding heart-healthy fats
For the Salad:
- Romaine lettuce – Provides a crisp, refreshing base with good structure
- Baby arugula – Adds a peppery dimension that balances the sweet elements
- Red onion – Contributes sharp, pungent notes that contrast with the sweet dressing
- Apple chips – They offer sweet, concentrated apple flavor and delightful crunch
- Toasted pecans – Bring nutty flavor and satisfying texture
- Crumbled gorgonzola cheese – Adds creamy, tangy richness that complements the fruit flavors
- Cherry tomatoes – Provide juicy bursts of acidity and bright color
Use high-quality store-bought apple chips like Bare or try making Air Fryer Apple Chips.
How to Make Panera Bread Fuji Apple Salad
To make the copycat Panera fuji apple dressing:
- Add all the salad dressing except for the olive oil into the jar of a blender or food processor. Alternatively, you can prepare this salad dressing by hand.
- Run the blender or food processor on low and drizzle in the olive oil.
- Store in the fridge until needed.
To cook the chicken:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Pat the chicken dry and season liberally on both sides with the salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Place the seasoned chicken on a lightly greased baking tray and cook for 25 to 30 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees.
- Cool the chicken on a wire rack.
To assemble the Panera Fuji Apple Chicken Salad:
- Slice the cooled cooked chicken into thin strips.
- Slice the red onions as thinly as possible. Use a mandolin for paper-thin slices.
- Dice the tomato.
- Place the salad greens and toppings in a large bowl.
- Gently toss all the salad ingredients and serve.
What to Serve With Fuji Apple Chicken Salad
You don’t really need anything else to make this hearty salad a filling meal, but a slice of bread, a bowl of soup, or half a sandwich would be a welcomed addition. Here are some of the most popular copycat Panera Bread recipes.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
No one wants to eat a soggy salad, so if you are preparing your salad the night before to take with you for lunch the next day, here are a few tips to keep the ingredients nice and crispy:
- Cooked chicken can be stored separately in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Put the dressing on the side. Add it once you are ready to enjoy your salad.
- If you’re a huge salad fan, it is worth picking up a salad bowl that has separate compartments for each topping as well as the dressing.
- Keep your salad cold by using an insulated lunchbox with a built-in ice pack.
- Don’t forget to take a packable fork!
Any extra salad dressing will keep in an airtight container for up to a week. Please give it a good shake before using it.Â
Panera Fuji Apple Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Fuji Apple Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Fuji apple juice or regular apple juice
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Salad
- 4 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 2 cups baby arugula
- 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
- 2 cups apple chips
- 1 cup toasted pecans
- 1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
- 1 cup diced fresh tomatoes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Bake the chicken on the prepared baking sheet for 25 to 30 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Allow the chicken to cool slightly before cutting it into thin strips.
- While the chicken cools, prepare the dressing. Blend all the dressing ingredients in a food processor until fully combined. Pour the dressing into a covered container and refrigerate until ready to use.
- To build the salad, place the romaine lettuce and arugula into a large mixing bowl. Top with the remaining salad ingredients and the sliced chicken and toss. Add the dressing just before serving and toss to combine.
Notes
Nutrition
More Panera Copycat Recipes
- BBQ Chicken Salad
- Chicken Avocado Sandwich
- Frontega Chicken Sandwich
- Green Goddess Salad
- Mediterranean Grain Bowl
Find even more recipes for Panera salads.
Favorite Salad Recipes
- California Chicken Salad
- Chicken Caesar Salad
- Fajita Salad
- Grilled Chicken Oriental Salad
- Spinach Salad
- Taco Bell Salad
- Thai Noodle Salad
- Wedge Salad
Check out my easy salad recipes and the best copycat Panera recipes on CopyKat!
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