Thursday, October 4, 2012
Apple Chip, Gorgonzola & Pecan Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
I have an unhealthy obsession with Panera.
Maybe it’s because I’m a soup & salad kinda gal. Or, I don’t know, maybe it’s because they lace their food with crack (kidding). But seriously. That stuff is ADDICTING with a Capital A.
I always ALWAYS order the “You Pick Two” (I can never chose just one item! It’s a problem I have in life…): Typically the Sierra Turkey & Broccoli Soup -OR- as of late, the Fuji Apple Chicken Salad & … ummm Broccoli Soup (I kind of have a things for their broccoli soup! 😉 )
I already have a great broccoli soup recipe, so I decided it was time for an at-home version of the Fuji Apple Chicken Salad I’ve come to love:
This is IT my friends! I’ve seen knock-off recipes all over the internet and sorta combined/tweaked them into this one that I absolutely adore! I just can’t get enough of it right now (it’s got a little more tang the the original but MAN am I a fan!)!
Plus, there is something about apples and pecans says fall to me! Um HELLO:
- Apples: apple pie, apple cider
- Pecans: pecan pie, pumpkin pie topping, derby pie
See: F.A.L.L.
Do yourselves a favor… when you want a simple dinner- swing by the grocery store & pick up the ingredients along with a Rotisserie Chicken, whip up the dressing in a blender, toss it in the salad, and WHAM BAM you’ve got dinner in 15 minutes TOPS!
On a totally unrelated side note: You should make these cookies for dessert (I made a batch last night for bible study and 30 cookies disappeared in a FLASH!).
Enjoy Friends…
Apple Chip, Gorgonzola & Pecan Salad with Apple Vinaigrette
Yield: 1 1/4 cup dressing
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
The perfect fall salad: Mixed greens topped with apple chips & toasted pecans tossed in a tangy apple vinaigrette...
Ingredients:
Apple Cider Vinaigrette:
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
2 small cloves garlic (1 if it's large)
1 1/2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 tablespoon finely diced red onion
4 tablespoons frozen apple juice concentrate, defrosted
2/3 cup light olive oilFor the Salad (add desired amount):
Mixed Greens
Toasted Pecans
Apple Chips
Red Onion, Thinly sliced
Gorgonzola Cheese (or feta if you don't like Gorganzola)
cherry tomatoesDirections:
For the Apple Vinaigrette (makes about 1 1/4 cups):
Add ingredients to a blender or food processor and pulse until everything is well combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.For the Salad:
Top mixed greens with a sprinkle each of: toasted pecans, gorgonzola, apple chips, red onion, and tomatoes. Drizzle with Apple Vinaigrette. Serve as a side or add chicken for a main course.
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Sandy — October 4, 2012 @ 8:18 am
I love this salad at Panera! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats — October 4, 2012 @ 8:18 am
Thats my favorite Panera salad too..Ive been getting it for years, every single time I go there..I love the dressing!! Were you able to pretty much replicate that too!? I would be forever grateful! 😀
Ali | Gimme Some Oven — October 4, 2012 @ 9:33 am
Yum! This is one of my fav salads too! And I agree — one must ALWAYS do the You Pick Two! Because why pick only one?? 🙂
Cassie — October 4, 2012 @ 12:10 pm
Beautiful fall salad! Panera obsession: yes, ma’am. Love their stuff!
Megan — October 4, 2012 @ 12:24 pm
Where do you get these apple chips and toasted pecans?
Tina replied: — October 4th, 2012 @ 12:39 pm
Apple chips are in bags in the produce section at the grocery store (usually on those moveable carts) with other salad toppings like toasted almonds… & toasted pecans are just pecans toasted in a pan for a few minutes until golden and nutty smelling. 🙂
Katie @ Blonde Ambition — October 4, 2012 @ 12:26 pm
This dressing sounds soooo good. Apple is my fall flavor of choice! 😀
emily — October 4, 2012 @ 2:57 pm
I love the idea of apple chips in salad! YUM! Also, Panera is THE BEST. They don’t have them in this state, but I get my fix whenever we visit our parents.
Life's a Bowl — October 4, 2012 @ 3:51 pm
Immediately when I saw the first picture I thought… Panera! Love it, perfect for fall 🙂
Anita at Hungry Couple — October 4, 2012 @ 11:43 pm
Yum! I’m a soup and salad girl, myself!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers — October 5, 2012 @ 6:40 am
I love these kind of salads! Your salad looks mighty delish!
Aimee W. — October 7, 2012 @ 5:43 pm
What happened to Friday cocktails with The Hubs?
Terry — September 9, 2013 @ 12:02 am
OMG! That is my favorite salad EVER! I can’t wait to try this. I’m with you on the Pick Two except I get the broccoli & cheese soup instead…have you tried the grown up grilled cheese? My 12 yo, who feels he’s no longer a child, decided to give it a try and adored it! So much so that he almost wasn’t willing to do ‘swap a bite, which the kids started by the way’. After I tried a bite I had to agree with him not wanting to give up that bite…it was that good!
Thanks for the recipe! I’m going to share it on my page too, everyone needs to be able to make this at home. 🙂
Betty — February 17, 2014 @ 6:21 pm
Thank you! I bought the white balsamic today; we are a gluten-free house– I love this salad at panera. Can’t wait to try it at home!
Liz — April 13, 2015 @ 5:19 pm
So delicious! Where do you get the apple chips?
Tina replied: — April 14th, 2015 @ 9:24 am
They sell them in the produce section at my grocery store (Publix)
Joanne Wilson — November 19, 2015 @ 7:08 am
So I was looking for the best apple chip salad, did a Google search, picked this one and printed the recipe. Then I’m like, “Wait, wait, this is Tina – I know her!” Thanks for being there for me in my Thanksgiving planning. Proud of you and love your blog!
Tina replied: — November 19th, 2015 @ 11:58 am
Awwww I love this 🙂 Hope you all are doing well! Happy Thanksgiving!!