Fuji Apple Panera Salad

There are so many flavors in this Fuji apple Panera salad, from the Fuji apple flavor to the pecans, creamy cheese, and vinaigrette salad dressing.

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Table of Contents

Fuji Apple Panera Salad Ingredient List
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Fuji Apple Panera Salad Recipe
Troubleshooting This Panera Fuji Apple Salad Recipe
How To Serve This Copycat Panera Recipe
When To Serve This Panera Fuji Apple Salad
Storage Tips for Fuji Panera Apple Salad
Why We Love This Apple Chicken Salad Recipe
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE
Even More Recipes You’ll Love

This copycat Fuji apple Panera salad has the same amazing ingredients found in the original version from Panera Bread, but now you don’t have to leave home to enjoy it. The salad’s combination of flavors features notes of cider vinegar, along with crisp apple chips, crunchy pecans, tangy cheese, and tender chicken.

overhead shot of Fuji Apple Panera Salad in a wooden bowl

Fuji Apple Panera Salad Ingredient List

Fuji Apple Panera Salad raw ingredients that are labeled

This apple salad has both sweet and savory flavors, with fresh greens and tart apples that perfectly complement the ripe tomatoes, grilled chicken, and vinaigrette dressing.

The apple chips and pecans offer a satisfying crunch, while the salty cheese adds a delicious balance to the sweetness of the salad. It’s truly the perfect combination of flavors.

You’ll need:

1 (11-ounce) package of spring salad mix, washed and dried
2½ cups of sliced rotisserie chicken
1 (2.5-ounce) bag of apple chips
1 (5-ounce) package of crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
½ cup of shaved parmesan cheese (optional)
1½ cups of halved grape tomatoes
1 cup of pecan halves
1 cup of thinly sliced red onion
1 cup of dried sweetened cranberries
Panera Fuji apple vinaigrette dressing

Substitutions And Additions

CHEESE: Not a fan of Gorgonzola? You can substitute crumbled blue cheese, goat cheese, or feta cheese in this Fuji apple chicken salad.

NUTS: You can substitute candied pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds for the halved pecans.

SEEDS: Try adding sunflower, sesame or pumpkin seeds for new flavors.

DRESSING: You can also use a champagne vinaigrette salad dressing or apple cider vinaigrette for the Panera Fuji apple salad dressing.

It would also be delicious with honey dijon mustard dressing or ranch dressing if you prefer.

You could also a dash of fresh-squeezed lemon juice, olive oil, and white balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar to create your own homemade dressing. Don’t have fresh lemons? You could also use a few drops of lemon juice concentrate.

If you do want to use the Panera Fuji apple vinaigrette dressing, you can pick up a salad dressing bottle from your local grocery store or online.

TOMATOES: If grape tomatoes aren’t available at your grocery store, you can easily toss halved cherry tomatoes into your tasty salad.

FUJI APPLE: Along with the apple chips, fresh apples are a perfect addition. If you can’t find Fuji apples, you can easily swap them for Honeycrisp, Gala, or Pink Lady apples.

APPLE CHIPS: If you have a dehydrater, you could make your own apple chips for this homemade salad.

DRIED CRANBERRIES: Don’t have dried cranberries? No problem! You can replace them with dried cherries, raisins, or even dried apricots.

LETTUCE: While spring mix lettuce is the classic choice for this salad, you can experiment with other leafy greens like spinach, baby arugula, or romaine lettuce.

Each variety will bring its unique flavor and texture, allowing you to customize your salad to your liking.

AVOCADO: For an extra dose of creaminess and healthy fats, consider adding slices of ripe avocado to your salad.

Avocado pairs wonderfully with the sweet apples and tangy dressing.

BACON: Add crumbled bacon or store-bought bacon bits.

VEGGIES: The possibilities are endless to make this copycat Panera recipe your own favorite thing. You could add cucumber, bell peppers, banana peppers, mushrooms, shredded carrots, celery, green onions, radishes, broccoli, or cabbage.

CHICKEN: Using a rotisserie chicken is an easy shortcut to make this homemade Panera’s salad come together quickly. However, you could also use leftover oven baked chicken breasts as well.

How To Make This Fuji Apple Panera Salad Recipe

Skip the delivery fee! This restaurant quality salad is ready in no time in the comfort of your own home with a handful of real ingredients. One bite and you’ll know why Panera’s fuji apple salad is so popular.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Place the sliced red onions in a small dish of cold water and let them soak for at least ten minutes, stirring occasionally.

Soaking the onions in cold water helps remove some of the raw onion taste. It is optional to do. When ready to prepare the salad, drain the onions.

STEP ONE: Add the spring mix to a large bowl.

STEP TWO: Sprinkle the sliced chicken over the salad mix.

STEP THREE: Sprinkle the apple chips over the sliced chicken.

apple chips sprinkled over the sliced chicken in a bowl

STEP FOUR: Sprinkle the crumbled gorgonzola, shaved parmesan cheese, halved grape tomatoes, pecan halves, sliced onion, and dried cranberries.

Toss and stir the salad to distribute all of the salad ingredients evenly.

gorgonzola, parmasan, tomatoes, pecan, onion, and cran berries stirred in a bowl

PRO TIP:

Toss the salad carefully, as you don’t want to break or crush any of the ingredients in this salad.

STEP FIVE: Just before serving, drizzle the desired amount of Panera Fuji apple dressing over the salad.

You could also allow each person to drizzle the dressing over the salad in their bowls.

PRO TIP:

If you anticipate having leftover salad, it is best to allow everyone to add the dressing to their individual salads so that the rest doesn’t get soggy from the dressing while stored in the fridge.

Troubleshooting This Panera Fuji Apple Salad Recipe

Cheese is too strong

If the Gorgonzola cheese is too strong, you might consider using a milder blue cheese or even feta as a substitute.

Chicken is too bland

If the chicken is bland or dry, consider using a cooking method that retains moisture, such as poaching or grilling. Make sure it’s seasoned well.

Taste is off

Make sure all your ingredients are fresh, especially the greens and apples. Wilted greens or overripe apples can detract from the overall quality of the salad.

How To Serve This Copycat Panera Recipe

This wonderful recipe will become your new favorite salad with its complex and rich flavors.

WITH BREAD: Enjoy it alone as a meal salad or with crusty dinner rolls or beer bread to mop up all the tangy dressing.

WITH A BEVERAGE: Serve with a glass of warm or cold apple juice or apple cider to enhance the apple taste. You could also serve with iced tea or sangria for adults.

WITH SOUP: For a larger meal, add a warm bowl of comforting soup such as French onion soup, or our butternut squash soup or broccoli cheese soup.

It’s the perfect accompaniment to a big plate of crockpot mac and cheese.

WITH PROTEIN: Pair it with grilled chicken, shrimp, pork chops, or even a juicy steak to elevate your main course.

AS A WRAP: Transform this salad into a delicious wrap by placing a generous portion inside a large tortilla or a lettuce leaf.

When To Serve This Panera Fuji Apple Salad

LUNCH: The combination of crisp apples, candied pecans, and creamy dressing provides a balanced and flavorful midday meal.

DINNER: Serve it as a light and refreshing dinner option, especially on warm summer evenings.

BRUNCH: Include this salad as part of a brunch spread. Its fruity and nutty elements add a delicious twist to your brunch menu. It pairs wonderfully with quiches, omelets, or a selection of breakfast pastries.

POTLUCK: It’s an excellent choice for potluck gatherings or picnics. The portable nature of this salad makes it easy to transport.

MORE SALAD RECIPES

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Ambrosia (Fruit Salad)

Chicken Dinner Ideas

Caesar Pasta Salad

If you are a fan of homemade salads, our southwest salad, and chicken bacon ranch salad are two more ways to enjoy a full meal all in one bowl.

Storage Tips for Fuji Panera Apple Salad

Now that you’ve whipped up this scrumptious salad, let’s talk about how to store it to keep the delectable taste fresh.

MAKE AHEAD: If you’re planning ahead, you can prepare some components of this salad in advance.

When you’re ready to enjoy, simply assemble the salad by tossing everything together for a quick and convenient meal.

You could also prepare separate containers for meal prep to enjoy the crisp fuji apple flavor all week long.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. We recommend storing only the salad ingredients without the creamy salad dressing or it will become soggy.

IN THE FREEZER: None of the components of this salad will freeze well and will end up soggy if you try to keep it for longer storage.

overhead shot of Fuji Apple Panera Salad in a bowl

Why We Love This Apple Chicken Salad Recipe

VIBRANT FLAVORS: The sweet Fuji apple chips, the creamy richness of gorgonzola cheese, and the tangy dressing come together to create a variety of irresistible flavors.

CROWD-PLEASER: The combination of sweet, savory, crunchy, and creamy elements ensures that everyone at the table will find something to love.

PRESENTATION: With its colorful ingredients, this salad is not only delicious but also visually appealing.

This Fuji apple Panera salad is a favorite menu item, and this copycat recipe lets you make the same salad right in your own kitchen. With minimal prep time, you can recreate the salad with all the sweet flavors of the original.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where can I buy Panera’s Fuji apple dressing?

The Panera dressing can be found online or at your local grocery store.

It is often kept in the store’s refrigerated section of the produce department.

Can I add other ingredients to my Fuji apple salad with chicken?

This salad is very flexible, and you can customize it to your liking.

Add bacon, nuts, seeds, cucumber, or other types of cheese.

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Fuji Apple Panera Salad

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There are so many flavors in this Fuji apple Panera salad, from the Fuji apple flavor to the pecans, creamy cheese, and vinaigrette salad dressing.

Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Servings

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Ingredients

11 ounces spring salad mix (washed and drained)
2½ cups sliced rotisserie chicken
2.5 ounces apple chips
5 ounces crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
½ cup shaved parmesan cheese, optional
1½ cups halved grape tomatoes
1 cup pecan halves
1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup dried sweetened cranberries
Panera Fuji apple vinaigrette dressing

Instructions

Add the salad mix to a large serving bowl.
Sprinkle the sliced chicken over the salad mix.
Sprinkle the apple chips over the sliced chicken.
Sprinkle the crumbled Gorgonzola, shaved parmesan cheese, halved grape tomatoes, pecan halves, sliced onion, and dried cranberries. Toss/stir the salad to evenly distribute all of the salad ingredients.
Just before serving, drizzle the desired amount of dressing over the salad, or wait and allow each person to drizzle the dressing over the salad in their bowls.

Notes

Place the sliced red onions in a small dish of cold water and let them soak for at least 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Soaking the onions in cold water helps remove some of the raw onion taste. It is optional to do. When ready to prepare the salad, drain the onions.
Toss the salad carefully, as you don’t want to break or crush any of the ingredients in this salad.
If you anticipate having leftover salad, it is best to allow everyone to add the dressing to their individual salads so that the rest doesn’t get soggy from the dressing while stored in the fridge.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Sian Cox Photographer
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant
Teresia Shrum Recipe Developer

Fuji Apple Panera Salad

Fuji Apple Panera Salad Ingredient List

Substitutions And Additions

How To Make This Fuji Apple Panera Salad Recipe