Recipe: Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad

I’ve got a DELICIOUS healthy copycat recipe for you —

It’s a fresh and easy take on one of Panera’s favorite seasonal salads. I know you’ll love it. 

We’ve taken the sweetness down a bit in this revamped version, but if you really want to add it back in: add a few tablespoons each of no-sugar-added canned mandarin oranges or pineapple chunks.

Make this for lunch, you won’t be sorry!

Chicken Salad Ingredients:

(makes 2 servings)

• 4 big handfuls (cups) mixed salad greens

• 1 cooked chicken breast, diced

• 4 large strawberries, hulled and sliced

• ½ cup (75 g) blueberries

• ¼ cup (30 grams) goat cheese crumbles  

• ¼ cup (30 g) chopped toasted pecans

Poppyseed Dressing Ingredients:

(makes 4 2-tbsp servings)

• ½ tsp sea salt

• 1 Tbsp honey

• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

• ¼ cup (55 g) plain Greek yogurt

• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tsp poppy seeds

Directions:

1. First, make the dressing: Place all of the ingredients in a mason jar, screw on the cover, and shake until well combined. Or, place the ingredients in a bowl and whisk until combined. This dressing will keep in the refrigerator, covered, for 2-3 days.

2. Make the salad: Place the salad greens, chicken, strawberries, blueberries, and goat cheese in a large salad bowl. Drizzle 4 Tbsp (half the recipe) of the salad dressing over the top of the salad and toss well. If using, sprinkle the pecans over the top.

3. Divide into two portions and serve. Yum!

Tag me @dr_saara_haapanen if you try this recipe 👩‍🍳

Recipe by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by VeselovaElena from Getty Images

Recipe: Chicken Sausage Jambalaya

Serve this jambalaya over cauliflower rice, sweet potato or spaghetti squash.

Serves: 4 - 6

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. boneless chicken, cut into tenders

• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 2 tbsp avocado or olive oil

• 1 red or yellow bell pepper, chopped

• 1 yellow onion, chopped

• 3 celery stalks, chopped

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 3 chicken sausages, chopped

• 1 15-oz can diced tomatoes (with juice)

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ½ tsp red pepper flakes

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and place in the skillet, cooking until done. Remove from the skillet.

2. Add the peppers, onion, celery and garlic to the pan and saute for 5-6 minutes. Add the chopped sausage and cook till the veggies are soft. Stir in the tomato sauce and spices, lower the heat slightly and allow to simmer.

3. While that’s cooking, chop up the chicken and add to the sauce and cook another 5-10 minutes.

4. Taste and adjust the seasonings, and serve!

Recipe by: Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by martinturzak from Getty Images