Asian Sesame Chicken Salad

Comment by Kena (Guest)

Kena (Guest) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 10:36:02 +0000

Target sells them. I picked a bottle up the other day and recreated the salad yum!! I too was obsessed with trying to recreate and it was just getting too cumbersome. For $4.50 just buy it if you have a superstore near you... Worth it!!

Comment by Dorothy Becker (Guest)

Dorothy Becker (Guest) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:53:59 +0000

Absolutely gross, I can't believe they have sucralose in their dressing, I will never eat it again!!! So disappointed!

Comment by Meg (Guest)

Meg (Guest) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 19:58:26 +0000

I just found this dressing at a REGULAR Target! Our target recently expanded their grocery section and sure enough! They have it. I picked up 2 bottles. It was in the refrigerated section next to bagged salads.

Comment by Wendy (Guest)

Wendy (Guest) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:49:46 +0000

Yes Karen Comment #84 - I just purchased the Panera Asian Sesame dressing at the Super Target for lack of a better word. YAHOO!! I see MANY salads at home on the horizon!!

Comment by marlene braun (Guest)

marlene braun (Guest) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 10:39:45 +0000

add a tsp of peanut butter and a touch of splenda or brown sugar. Not kidding.

Comment by Kathy (Guest)

Kathy (Guest) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 20:33:31 +0000

Does anyone know if Target is still carrying the Panera asian sesame salad dressing discussed in comment 67-69?

Comment by Gail (Guest)

Gail (Guest) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:16:47 +0000

OK, if you're still searching for the recipe, this is DEFINITELY it (and it's SO SIMPLE to make.) I just made it, and it tastes exactly like the Panera Bread Asian Sesame dressing for the chicken salad that we all love.
(The following recipe is for appx. 1 serving, so be mindful of the proportions if making a larger, party-sized salad...oh, and there's definitely NO SOY SAUCE in this dressing)

1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar (which also contains sugar and salt)
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil (I got the La Tourangelle brand, a light-colored sesame oil found at Vons out here in SoCal)
dash of salt to taste
dash of black pepper to taste
optional ingredients: 1 finely minced clove of garlic, red pepper flakes

Heat vinegar and sugar in small saucepan until dissolved. Pour into a bowl and let cool completely.
(I finely minced one clove of garlic and cooked it in the pan I just cooked the vinegar/sugar mixture in with a tiny bit of oil (veg or canola) Take care not to burn the garlic - you just want it softened, taking away the raw taste)

When your vinegar/sugar mixture is cool, slowly add the sesame oil, whisking vigorously (someone mentioned using a hand blender - not necessary for such a small amount - the whisk will do just fine.)

Add a dash of salt and black pepper to taste. Stir in the garlic and optional red pepper flakes.

Cover with plastic wrap, put in fridge to get nice and chilled for your chicken salad......this is SO DELICIOUS.

Comment by JenJen (Guest)

JenJen (Guest) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:59:54 +0000

There is no cilantro IN the dressing. It's tossed in with the salad. I asked for an extra side of the dressing, took it home and put in the fridge to see if there was a separation (thinking that I could easier dissect it).... but it never separated. I wish someone would figure this out.

Comment by MEE_KU (Guest)

MEE_KU (Guest) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:19:03 +0000

All,

Super Target does carry this dressing. I live in Overland Park, Kansas and it was located in the produce section. Don't waste your time looking for it in the salad dressing area because it is not located there.

Save your time and money. Just buy the dressing; it's only $3.99!

Enjoy,
MEE

Comment by Chicken Salad (Guest)

Chicken Salad (Guest) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:14:21 +0000

@Connie Tumm, I have already tried this recipe before.

Comment by Connie Tumm (Guest)

Connie Tumm (Guest) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 22:13:49 +0000

I am having a get together tomorrow - and I have been searching Asian dressings for days - and finally pulled mine together and I have to say - it is as yummy as the one on the salad at Panera - which is one of our family favorites.
Here is the recipe:

1 cup oil
1/2 cup Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar (from Trader Joe's - amazing stuff!)
2 T. sugar
1 packet seasoning mix from Oriental Ramen noodles
1 t. sesame oil
2 t. smooth peanut butter
if you don't have fresh cilantro - dried would work - but you definitely need some cilantro!

I only had the dark sesame oil so my dressing isn't as light as the panera one - and I am pretty sure they don't have peanut butter in theirs - but the orange muscat champagne vinegar is the key ingredient and this produce an orange colored dressing similar to Paneras.

You will also need some good won ton strips - I buy Fresh gourmet which you find near the bagged salad etc. (Krogers or Meijers) and they are really good won ton strips.

Chicken - I love the thinkly sliced chicken that panera uses and have just recently found something that I think is pretty close - Oscar Meyer Carving Board Chicken. It is found by the deli meat - and it is really nice chicken. I also really like this salad with rotisserie chicken.

Enjoy!

Comment by candice (Guest)

candice (Guest) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:45:32 +0000

Don't know if anoIyne else has said this before me...but I also loveeee the panera asian salad..and the closest thing I've ever found to the taste of the dressing is Kens light asian sesame with ginger and soy dressing...u can find it at any supermarket. Made by kens steakhouse..its sooooo delicious.

Comment by Chicken Salad (Guest)

Chicken Salad (Guest) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:39:42 +0000

I like chicken salad and i will make it soon.

Comment by jenlovesjay (Guest)

jenlovesjay (Guest) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:46:58 +0000

Comment# 54 recipe is the closest:

2 Tbs Sugar
2 Tbs Sesame Oil
6-8 Tbs Vinegar (depending on how tart you want, use Rice Vinegar for sweeter results)
1/4 C Vegetable oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper (use freshly grounded)
Mix/Shake very very well (I pour everything into an old wishbone ready mix bottle)

Comment by online tutoring statistics (Guest)

online tutoring statistics (Guest) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 07:04:38 +0000

Does anyone know if the bottled dressing is still at Super Target? Or anywhere else? We don't have Super Targets in Oregon, so I'm trying to rope some Facebook friends into picking some up for me!

Comment by Beth (Guest)

Beth (Guest) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 21:39:07 +0000

Does anyone know if the bottled dressing is still at Super Target? Or anywhere else? We don't have Super Targets in Oregon, so I'm trying to rope some Facebook friends into picking some up for me!

Comment by Dating Auckland (Guest)

Dating Auckland (Guest) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 07:09:49 +0000

Try " Chelton House " Organic Sesame Ginger dressing. You can purchase at Hannafords supermarkets. I put 2 tbl spoons in a clean salad bowl and added 1 packet of Splenda , then mixed .It is fabulous!! You MUST add the Splenda or it taste terrible ! I then added about 6 packets to the bottle. I may even add a little lime juice . The color of this dressing is much darker than Panera's and has a thicker consistency but I do HIGHLY suggest you try this. It is good stuff!

Comment by Carol H (Guest)

Carol H (Guest) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:26:01 +0000

I think the secret is cider vinegar which i added to the mirin that had been warmed to melt the sugar. i added a dash of lemon juice and zest and vinaigrette but I think it's the cider vinegar that gives it its zest.

Comment by Crystal (Guest)

Crystal (Guest) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:49:44 +0000

I hate that I'm so late to the Asian Sesame dressing party, but I love this dressing so much, that I just e-mailed Panera, asking them to just bottle it up and sell it at their restaurants. In the meantime, I'm going to try the recipe from comment #54.

Comment by liz (Guest)

liz (Guest) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:25:40 +0000

I don't want to go to buy bottles of this dressing at Supertarget - I want to make it myself. Because not only will it be much cheaper, it won't contain HFCS, potassium sorbate, calcium disodium EDTA, etc.

So how does comment #29's recipe taste? Close? (And lol at "We make it every morning" haha)

Comment by Ken

Ken — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:33:21 +0000

There's more information on the bottled dressing at SuperTarget at this link: http://www.realkato.com/blog.php?pid=1680.

Comment by Ken

Ken — Sun, 23 May 2010 17:55:59 +0000

Ok, folks... I can verify what Mellannie says about SuperTarget: they do indeed have Panera branded Asian sesame dressing, in the bag salad section. I'm going to try it soon, and I'll let you know how it tastes. That still doesn't give us a recipe, but at least that might give us a way to enjoy the salad home. Stay tuned, and thanks to Mellannie!

Comment by Mellannie (Guest)

Mellannie (Guest) — Sat, 22 May 2010 09:33:45 +0000

I just bought the dressing at SuperTarget. I found it by the bagged salad. It's Panera brand Asian Sesame. It was about $4.50. It is exactly what you get at Panera. We made the salad and it was like we had gotten it at Panera's, but much cheaper. Hope this helps all those wanting to have it at home.

Comment by Eve (Guest)

Eve (Guest) — Wed, 19 May 2010 19:53:39 +0000

I just called the panera in gilroy ca, and the store manager Paul said there's no way to buy the dressing. He said they are not allowed to sell it to customers. This sucks because Gilroy is 30 minutes away. So I can only eat it once in a great while:(

Comment by Candy (Guest)

Candy (Guest) — Sat, 08 May 2010 18:32:55 +0000

I also followed W Neal #29's recipe. I bought "Asian Gourmet" brand Plain Rice Vinegar and "Asian Gourmet" brand regular (dark colored) Sesame Oil (not toasted) but used 1/2 the amount of sesame oil #29 recommended. I think that amount is all a matter of your own preference. 1/8 cup of sesame oil is all I needed plus I noticed it really did not have a dark color to it even using the dark colored oil. I did however try to buy it @ Panera today and they do not offer it for sale anymore. I live in Michigan.

Comment by Ken

Ken — Sun, 02 May 2010 13:33:40 +0000

Thanks Cathy; I did not believe the guy who said he made the dressing in the store; clearly, the ingredient list shows that it's made in a factory, not from scratch. Do you know if it's a general policy for stores to sell the dressing in 8 oz. containers, or is that specific to each location?

Comment by Cathy (Guest)

Cathy (Guest) — Sun, 02 May 2010 12:26:01 +0000

I am a general manager for Panera Bread, and have been with the company since 2001. We do not make the dressing in small batches every morning, although I got a good laugh from that comment. Our dressing is created and supplied to us. I too, have tried to re-create the recipe to no avail. So here's what I do...I buy it from the my store. Although we no longer sell our retail bottled dressings, we will gladly sell it in 8 oz. containers, to any customer who requests it. I happily carry it home, create my own salad and enjoy. No stress involved.

Comment by ali (Guest)

ali (Guest) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:17:02 +0000

Love the salad. Glad to find out I'm not alone. I'll be attempting to make the dressing tonight

Comment by Eve (Guest)

Eve (Guest) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:31:30 +0000

Hi everyone, I love the panera salad!! I'm also addicted to it. I had the half size right now but I will be going back for a full size so I can have for dinner. I will be trying out some of your recipes but I wanted to suggest you try a salad from the cheesecake factory. The closes one to my house in 2 hours away and I drive any chance I get to have it. That just tells you how delicious it is. It's the cashew chicken salad. It's the best!!! If there's one close to u, you have to try it!!

Comment by Nicole (Guest)

Nicole (Guest) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:20:28 +0000

I am so addicted to this salad and was excited to find the "official" recipe. It was so gross and over oily, I was disappointed. But now I am charged up again and going to try Neal's recipe. Thanks Neal.

Comment by AmandaM (Guest)

AmandaM (Guest) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:07:22 +0000

AHHH I am offically not a crazy person! I go on rants at random street corners on how much I hate that I have to buy individual salads to get that tangy tart chinese dressing. Everything in the stores doens't work for me- I feel like this is a recovery post for chinese dressing addicts. I will try Neil's recipe soon.

My favorite salad is the Chinese Chicken from Trader Joe's that only gives you about an ounce for $4.99 with sometimes wilted lettuce. I have literally bought the whole salad and thrown away everything and made a fresh one just to use the dressing. Man, it felt good to get that off my chest.

Comment by Jane (Guest)

Jane (Guest) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:52:21 +0000

Ditto on the comment #29, it's pretty much an exact recipe.

Couple things; make sure the sesame oil is light colored, like they said. I got unrefined sesame oil (refined is less flavorful and for frying).

After checking around, there is no difference between rice wine vinegar and rice vinegar. Different terms for the same thing. Vinegar is made from wine. Also make sure the only ingredients are vinegar and water. No added sugar, salt, seasoning, anything. The point is to sweeten it yourself to get that particular taste.

Thanks! I ate a whole bag of salad!

Comment by BethG (Guest)

BethG (Guest) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:09:53 +0000

Thanks to Neal from Comment #29. I tried his dressing recipe, and that was it exactly!!! Thanks so much Neal. Now I can have this salad whenever I want without leaving the house.

Comment by jungabunga (Guest)

jungabunga (Guest) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:05:33 +0000

only had this salad a few times and it's yummy, must find recipe!!! Will experiment this weekend

Comment by Jason (Guest)

Jason (Guest) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:29:51 +0000

I have no clue how they make the dressing, but i wish i did!! I used to work at panera, and i will say this.. I've noticed on multiple sites people talking about the chicken. There is nothing special about the chicken. They use the same chicken in everything and its just plain grilled chicken. I know because i remember having to individually bag chicken so there would be similar portions in all the salads.... Also, they used to sell the dressing.. they don't anymore because they used to leave it out and people used to steal it .. or at least that's how it is in Jersey.

Comment by Boerne ATA (Guest)

Boerne ATA (Guest) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:08:32 +0000

Hello,
Had many varieties of sesame dressing recipes that I've experimented.
This is the one I trust the most. However, in making large batches of this, it will not work.

2 Tbs Sugar
2 Tbs Sesame Oil
6-8 Tbs Vinegar (depending on how tart you want, use Rice Vinegar for sweeter results)
1/4 C Vegetable oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper (use freshly grounded)
Mix/Shake very very well (I pour everything into an old wishbone ready mix bottle)

Salad (some items can be Optional)
- fried wontons wrappers (sliced into strips) or fried rice noodles
- steamed chicken breast with bones, upon being cooked, meat is pulled from bone and is shredded OR grilled chicken breast (mild seasoning)
- green onions
- cilantro
- butter, green, red leaf or romaine lettuce
- sliced almonds
- toasted sesame seeds

Comment by Karen

Karen — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:10:40 +0000

I am so addicted to this salad. It is definitely the Cilantro that makes the dressing. No replication of this is possible without it. I just had it last night. Oh my gosh!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by diana (Guest)

diana (Guest) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:17:31 +0000

Wow! I too am addicted to this salad! I can't get enough of it. I am constantly making salad dressing at home to try to come up with something I like, but nothing tastes as good as this one! Neil, thanks for the recipe - I'll try it this week!

Comment by cathie (Guest)

cathie (Guest) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 10:23:09 +0000

Try grated orange rind to give it , its fruity flavor. Never tasted Paneros version I am trying to duplicate Renees Asian Sesame vingegarette and until I added the orange rind it did not taste right.

Comment by Cindy (Guest)

Cindy (Guest) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:11:03 +0000

Oh yes, one more thing I forgot to mention in my previous post....
I've personally read each post on this site and it's safe to say in my opinion that we can all agree that all the other dressing brands available in our supermarkets... taste nothing like we hoped! not even close!!

That being said, even if we do not have the rest of salad ingridients taste exactly like it (ie.. chicken, almost, etc) we already know the salad contains all the following:
chicken cooked plain, sliced thin, chilled,
sesame seeds stuck to the chilled chicken
romaine lettuces
freshly cut cilantro
sliced almonds (if you bake at home 5min each side, it brings out the flavor)
or buy pre-packaged already baked sliced almonds
wontons

If Panera Bread decides to sell the dressing seperately in a to-go container... their dressing will taste a lot better & closer to their original salad than any other brand of dressing we can all get from our local supermarkets!!!

so either way... PLEASE PANERA BREAD, START SELLING THE DRESSING ASAP!

Comment by Cindy (Guest)

Cindy (Guest) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:00:36 +0000

OMG!!
#1. I can't believe this comment site has been around almost four years now, since Feb. 2006! I'm glad I came across it.

#2. I've lost a ton of weight by doing exercise and eating this salad daily for at least the past 3-4 months, and I love it bc it keeps me from gaining it back. Like most of you here, I crave it daily! I was going to attempt recreating it at home, bc I eat it so often it can get costly, but after reading all the postings regarding the dressings from the Panera Bread book I think I'll save the money. However, I do plan to recreate W NEIL's dressing recipe it sounds like it could be the winner. I'll be doing that tomorrow, so I'll keep ya all posted.

#3. Dear Terrance.... if in deed your uncle is a VP at Panera Bread, please forward this link to him and recommend that he submits a request to sell this dressing at all Panera Bread stores. California Pizza sells in a to-go container their famour "Caesar Salad Dressing" and "Cheese" too separately, and if you notice both the salad is still on the menu and California Pizza is still in biz! Please tell your uncle that many folks out here would purchase this dressing and to please liste to their customers.

LASTLY.... Dear Panera Bread Company, please sell your Sesame Chicken Salad dressing! We don't really care for a pretty-packaging container, we only care about the tasty dressing! Look forward to seeing it available for sale at all Paneral Bread stores soon:)

Comment by Terrence (Guest)

Terrence (Guest) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:01:01 +0000

Believe it or not, my uncle is a VP at Panera. I'm sure he could find it.

I'll check..........

Comment by Sarah G (Guest)

Sarah G (Guest) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:47:08 +0000

Okay, I saw this post dated 2006 and I am so happy to see it's still going because I too would love the REAL recipe. I hope Beth is real!!!!! C'mon Beth, don't let us down now!

Comment by Kellie (Guest)

Kellie (Guest) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:12:36 +0000

Ok, I'll join in....I love this salad too! After way too many visits to Panera for it, being a frustrated chef by hobby, I decided to begin searching for the receipe. I would still go to Panera for it, but would also like to enjoy it at home.

Any new clues?

Comment by nikkole (Guest)

nikkole (Guest) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:11:33 +0000

I think that the recipe from the Panera store manager is the closest...everything else online is some other BS recipe... because there is no way there is soy sauce in that dressing... you have to find UNtoasted sesame oil and use some sort of splenda/sugar mix because it is a reduced sugar dressing and I think that the sweetness comes from the splenda... I too am an Panera Sesame Asian salad junkie...

Comment by InterstedPerson (Guest)

InterstedPerson (Guest) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:31:26 +0000

Happy to see I am not the only one with the relatively harmless addiction to
this salad dressing...and not the $8. price or the chicken...
BETH if you are there, please help.
I am trying again to re-create this, and only can add that the lime juice
and sugar seem to have a little of the right edge. Also DROPS only of
hot oil. And it seems as though it needs a heavy hand with salt. I use the modified shoyu, so tht may be part of that.

Comment by M.E. (Guest)

M.E. (Guest) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:18:52 +0000

For what it's worth, I have also tried several other "Asian" dressings. The dressing I have found that I think is closest to Panera's is the one that is sold with the Fresh Express Asian salad kit.

Comment by Erin (Guest)

Erin (Guest) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 06:51:13 +0000

To the people trying "neil's" recipe: There IS A difference between rice vinegar and rice wine vinegar. In fact, I made the recipe Panera posts online (the wrong one) with rice vinegar. It calls for rice wine vinegar, so maybe if I had used the latter, it would have tasted better.

Anyhow, the color: there is light and dark sesame oil. Clearly Panera uses the light kind (if it is in fact in the recipe). I'm not sure if there is a flavor difference, but there might be...

I'm convinced Neil is right on about the sugar. 4 T is a lot, but it's a sweet (due to the sugar) and tarty (vinegar) recipe.

Comment by Erin (Guest)

Erin (Guest) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 06:45:34 +0000

Had this salad yesterday and decided paying nearly $8 for this is ridiculous. I made the dressing Panera posts online and it's terrible (way too oily). I think we all knew it wasn't the recipe they use, but it's not even a good recipe. Yuck! I was googling for the recipe while i ate it and and thinking about it and I'm convinced there is a lot of sugar in it.

Comment by Erica (Guest)

Erica (Guest) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:39:37 +0000

I don't believe there was a Beth who knew the recipe. You tease!!

Asian Sesame Chicken Salad

Ken — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 01:37:44 +0000

I MUST figure out this recipe.