Monday, May 2, 2011

Panera Chicken Salad Sandwich

About This Recipe

"This is a copy that I made up myself of the Old version of the Panera Chicken Salad Sandwich. Not the new one with grapes and almonds.

    • 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
    • 2 celery ribs, chopped
    • tomatoes, slices
    • red onions, slices
    • lettuce
    • mustard
    • onion powder
    • garlic powder
    • 1 pinch white pepper ( Black pepper is ok too)
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 cup mayonnaise ( I like Kraft Real Mayonnaise)
    • 1 1/2-2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • sliced white bread ( or Semolina bread from Panera)

  1. Take the Chicken Breasts and place them on a cutting board. Cover with plastic wrap and pound with a mallet (or a frying pan if you don't have one) to a 1/2 inch thickness. They will cook more evenly and it will be easier to chop them into even chunks. HEAVILY season both sides of the chicken with garlic and onion powder. (You are going to boil the chicken so don't worry about it being too salty.) Put the chicken in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring it to a boil and then cover and let simmer till cooked, about 10 minutes. If it finishes cooking earlier then take it out then so it doesn't become rubbery. Take the chicken out and let cool.
  1. Chop the celery and the cooled chicken and set in a bowl. In another small bowl put mayo, sugar, pepper, lemon juice together and whisk until well combined. You want the sugar to disintegrate so that you're not tasting the grain.
  2. Mix the mayo with the chicken and celery. Take a slice of bread and place a large slice of lettuce, then tomato, then red onion. Top with the chicken salad and another slice. Serve with potato chips and pickle. (Or you're favorite soup!).
  3. I hope you like this recipe. I really thought it out and was RELIEVED that my hard work paid off and it tasted so close to the real thing!
  4. Good luck!