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Copycat Panera Southwest Chili Lime Ranch Salad with Chicken

Copycat Panera Southwest Chili Lime Ranch Salad with Chicken

This Copycat Panera Southwest Chili Lime Ranch Salad with Chicken is my absolute favorite!!! I made it three times this past week!!! Once you have all the ingredients - you can't help but make it every day!
3.10 from 21 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Entree
Cuisine American, southwest
Servings 2 people
Calories 708 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

Night before

  • Marinate chicken in Mojo Criollo marinade in the refrigerator
  • Mix together Jalapeno Lime Ranch Dressing and add Chipotle Taco Sauce and refrigerate overnight
  • Mix together Quick Overnight Pickles and place rings from 1/2 red onion in

Time to Eat

  • Cook chicken breasts - I air fry at 350 for 12-15 minutes - depending on size/thickness. Flip halfway thru and temp to 160-165. Let rest until ready to serve. 
  • Slice chicken breast into strips, core avocado and dice 
  • In 2 salad bowls, layer the lettuce and arugula.
  • Top with 1/4 cup red onions, salsa, diced avocado, sliced chicken, feta, tortilla strips and fresh cilantro, if desired. 
  • Toss with dressing.

Notes

Tips & Tricks
How can I jazz up bottled ranch for this recipe?
I would reco starting with my Jalapeno Lime Ranch – but if you have bottled ranch – you can add juice from a lime, grated jalapeno and chipotle pepper seasoning!
Where do you get pickled red onions?
You make them!!!! I always have the base for these No Cook Refrigerator Pickles in the fridge – most of the time – it’s full of red onion just so I have them on hand. You can use them after they’ve set overnight – but the longer they’re in the juice – the softer and more pickled they’ll get! Or - you can always use raw red onions. 
How do you make your chicken like Panera?
They always marinate in a Citrus Pepper marinade and my best copycat is this Mojo Criollo marinade – it’s super cheap and adds so much to the chicken!
What’s the best way to cook chicken for this recipe?
I always make chicken breast in the air fryer! Depending on the size of the chicken breast – I air fry at 350 for 12-15 minutes – flipping halfway thru. Temp check with a meat thermometer to 160 and then let it rest for 5 minutes so the juices absorb into the chicken.
You can also bake chicken for 25 min at 350 or grill on stovetop or outdoor grill
How many calories are in the Panera Southwest Chicken Salad?
Panera’s version has 680 calories. My version has 708 calories.

Nutrition

Serving: 1saladCalories: 708kcalCarbohydrates: 29.3gProtein: 49.6gFat: 45.2gSaturated Fat: 9.7gCholesterol: 149mgSodium: 1297mgFiber: 10.1gSugar: 7gCalcium: 227mgIron: 5mg
Keyword chicken, chicken salad, copycat, panera, ranch
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