I'm smitten. In love. Tongue-Thai'd. With my new "MyPanera" rewards keytag dangling from my keychain, I trotted over to my local Panera to try a new lunch pick: Panera’s new Thai Chopped Chicken Salad.
The salad's ingredients include fresh chopped romaine lettuce, wonton strips, and plenty of vegetables including spicy fire-roasted edamame (secret weapon), red bell peppers, and carrots, topped with strips of seasoned grilled chicken - very tender. The salad also includes roasted cashews, fresh cilantro, and topped artfully with a Thai-style peanut drizzle. Dressing: Panera’s Thai Chili Vinaigrette, which is a low-fat vinaigrette with lemongrass and red chili flecks, toasted sesame oil, kaffir lime and soy sauce. Very light, very delicious, pretty spicy so be careful if you are a conservative foodie. I find the fresh Panera rolls are a nice balance if the chili flecks or edamame get too much for you.
Bonus: you can get a half-portion with Panera's Pick Two menu option (half-salad plus sandwich or soup). Still generously portioned and plenty for lunch or leftovers. Double bonus: you can give to The Ellie Fund right at the register to help support local families surviving breast cancer.
Flavor profile: The salad's Thai style peanut sauce balances really well against the moist grilled chicken (not cubed/frozen, btw), the roasted edamame and roasted cashews, and the unusually light chili vinaigrette. The rest is, well, dressing. :)
Nutrition: Only 390 calories/7 grams of fat and a tremendous 33 grams of protein to keep you going. Save a bit for a side salad for dinner that evening and save even more fat grams/calories.
Rating: five bananas for super flavorful, textural, and diet-friendly. Delicious!
1 comment:
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