Panera Bread is a great place to eat here in Connecticut. The atmosphere is laid back, they have the best freshly made food in the area at a reasonable price, and free Internet. I can tell you that their free WiFi saved us during the hurricane of 2011. We stayed there for 8 hours one day during the storm just to catch up on work.
Last night we ate there for dinner and I had one of their new menu items, the Thai Chicken Salad. It was so good that I thought I would share it with you in case you might like to try it.
The Thai Chopped Chicken Salad is one of Panera Bread’s signature salads. As with all of their meals, you also get either bread, chips, or an apple. This meal also came with a bowl of soup – I got the chicken noodle.
If you have never eaten at a Panera Bread restaurant you are definitely missing out. They are at the top of our chain restaurant list! Find a location near you at www.panerabread.com/cafes/find – they are in 40 states.
The Thai Salad Includes:
- All natural, antibiotic-free chicken, chopped
- Romaine lettuce
- Thai cashews
- Fire-roasted Edamame beans
- Red Peppers
- Carrots
- Fresh Cilantro
- Wonton Strips
On top they put a Low Fat Thai Chili Vinaigrette dressing and then drizzle it all with a Peanut sauce. The salad dressing is what makes the salad so good. It has a little bit of a kick but nothing a glass of water can’t handle – or better yet, their fresh iced tea – delish! I don’t like hot or too spicy foods. If it makes my mouth burn and I can’t taste the flavor then I don’t eat it. I don’t mind something that has a little kick though because it can enhance the taste. This salad dressing is fabulous!
Ingredients for the Low Fat Thai Chili Vinaigrette:
Water, rice, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, lemongrass, sesame oil, corn starch modified, salt, spice, lime juice concentrate, xanthan gum, natural & artificial flavors, distilled vinegar, citric acid.
If you have any allergies it does contain soy and wheat.
Nutrition Facts for the Vinaigrette Dressing
Are you out the door yet? It’s time to eat!
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Agreed. Panera is one of our family’s favorites (perhaps THE favorite). My only regret is their brand name change. To all of us here where the restaurant started, Panera will always be St. Louis Bread Co.