Spicy Thai Salad with Chicken (Panera Copycat) (2024)

This beloved Spicy Thai Salad with Chicken dish is no longer on the menu at Panera Bread. But you can make this easy and delicious copycat recipe in your own kitchen! The tangy, spicy Thai peanut dressing puts this salad over the top!

This delicious, vibrant salad is a flavor bomb in your mouth! Featuring tender, sliced chicken breasts, crisp romaine lettuce, shredded carrots, crunchy red bell peppers, and edamame, all tossed in a sweet and spicy peanutty dressing. Yes, please!

Chicken is the main protein in this Spicy Thai Salad, but you can swap it out with your favorite protein, like tofu, steak, or shrimp. Or, make it vegetarian and eliminate the protein all-together! I like to brush the chicken breast with some of the peanut dressing (a.k.a. sauce) while it's cooking for extra flavor. YUM!

HELPFUL TIP: You can use prepared rotisserie chicken in this salad. It's a time-saver!

What ingredients are in this spicy thai salad?

You probably already have most of these salad ingredients in your pantry and fridge. It doesn't get any easier than that! Go grab these items!

• chicken breasts (or use rotisserie chicken to save time!)
• chopped romaine lettuce
• shredded purple cabbage
• shredded carrots
• sliced red bell peppers
• frozen shelled edamame
• fresh cilantro
• chopped almonds (or peanuts, cashews, etc.)
• spicy peanut dressing (recipe ingredients below)

Add-Ons: fresh mint and basil, green onions, cucumbers, bean sprouts, wonton strips, etc. (You can get creative!)

[*Seerecipe cardfor exact quantities.]

This Spicy Thai Salad with Chicken recipe was inspired by my Grilled Miso Shrimp Garden Salad made with homemade miso dressing. Salads are my go-to during the warmer months and this one will not disappoint!

What ingredients do you need for the Thai peanut dressing?

When it comes to salad dressings, homemade is always best! That way, you can control the ingredients. It's just so easy to make this Thai peanut dressing! Here's what you'll need:

• creamy peanut butter
• honey (or maple syrup)
• low-sodium soy sauce
• rice vinegar
• sesame oil
• fresh lime juice
• red pepper flakes
• minced garlic
• minced ginger

[*Seerecipe cardfor exact quantities.]

How do you make the spicy peanut dressing?

It's beyond simple to make this homemade spicy peanut dressing for the Thai salad! You can also use this as a sauce for marinating, basting, or finishing!

STEP 1: In a small bowl, start with creamy peanut butter as your dressing base.

STEP 2: Add in the wet ingredients (soy sauce, honey, water, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and lime juice) and whisk until well-combined.

STEP 3: Add in the red pepper flakes, garlic, and ginger, and whisk vigorously.

STEP 4: The peanut dressing should be smooth and creamy, like above!

HELPFUL TIP: Instead of a whisk, you can use a small food processor or high-powered blender to cream all of these ingredients together.

How do you assemble the salad?

This is a matter of preference. A lot of people like their salads tossed and dressed before hitting the table. While others opt for a prettier presentation by layering the salad with the Romaine lettuce in the middle and the veggies placed around it, showing off all of the vibrant colors.

There's no wrong way to assemble this salad! I do recommend placing the sliced chicken on top and then drizzling the peanut dressing all over the top.

Look no further than your own kitchen to create this easy and delicious Panera copycat, Spicy Thai Salad with Chicken! Just because it's no longer on their menu doesn't mean you can't put it on yours.

Bookmark this salad recipe! Trust me, it will be on repeat for years to come!

Other easy chicken recipes

Looking for some other great chicken ideas? We've got you covered! Check out these crazy-delicious chicken recipes on the blog!

• Thai Curry Chicken with Rice
• Chicken Satay Skewers with Spicy Peanut Sauce
• Lemongrass Garlic Chicken
• Chinese Curry Chicken
• Easy Thai Basil Chicken

CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR CHICKEN RECIPES!

Recipe notes

• You can make the spicy Thai peanut dressing ahead of time and keep in the fridge. Or freeze it for up to 3 months.
• I don't recommend using chunky peanut butter because the consistency may not be smooth. You already have the chopped almonds in the salad.
• Instead of a whisk, you can use a small food processor or high-powered blender to cream all of the peanut dressing ingredients together.
• You can control the spice level on the red pepper flakes, or eliminate it if you don't like spicy.
• To save time, use prepared rotisserie chicken. Always a great substitute!
• Add-Ons: Top with fresh mint and basil, green onions, cucumbers, bean sprouts, wonton strips, etc. (You can get creative!)

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