I'm always looking for a delicious and easy summer meal. This berry chicken panzanella salad is a vibrant, refreshing, and satisfying dish that combines the savory flavors of chicken with the sweetness of fresh berries and the crunch of toasted bread cubes.
What is chicken Panzenella salad?
Panzanella is a bread soaked in dressing. This salad combines bread crumbs and tops it with a rich and zesty apple cider vinaigrette. This salad is perfect for a summer lunch, a light dinner, or a potluck gathering.
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Ingredients
You only need 5 ingredients to make this simple meal. For this recipe you will need:
- Shredded cooked chicken
- Bread crumbs
- Spinach
- Apple cider vinaigrette
- Berries
Instructions
in a large bowl toss chicken, bread, lettuce, and half of the vinaigrette. Transfer salad mixture to a plate. Top the salad with strawberries and additional vinaigrette if desired.
- Step 1: Arrange salad on your plate.
- Place chicken on salad.
- Step 3: Add bread and berries. Drizzle apple cider vinaigrette over your salad.
- Step 4: Serve your chicken panzanella salad.
Substitutions
We know that you might have some dietary preferences or needs. So here are some easy substitutions you can make to your recipe:
- Gluten free: use gluten free bread.
- Dairy free: This recipe is naturally dairy free, so no worries there!
- Vegan: If you are making our apple cider vinaigrette, you'll want to follow the substitutions for that. You will also want to substitute vegan chicken in place of the rotisserie chicken.
Variations
There are several variations you can make to this recipe. Here are some ideas:
- Panzanella: For a more authentic panzanella, you could toss the bread and dressing together first before putting it in the salad.
- Cheese: If you are a cheese lover, add a little bit of feta, goat cheese, parmesan or bleu cheese.
- Croutons: You can use store bought croutons in place of the bread.
- Protein: Substitute the chicken with grilled shrimp, salmon, or turkey for a different protein source
- Vegetables: Add other vegetables like bell peppers, avocado, or roasted corn to enhance the salad.
Storage
It's best to consume the salad immediately after preparation. However, you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate to maintain the freshness of the bread.
FAQ
Yes, you can use frozen berries if fresh ones are not available. Thaw them before adding to the salad, and drain any excess liquid to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
Yes, the balsamic vinaigrette can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Shake well before using.
You can use other dressings like lemon vinaigrette, red wine vinaigrette, or a creamy yogurt-based dressing.
Day-old crusty bread like ciabatta, sourdough, or a baguette works best. It holds up well to the dressing.
Add the dressing just before serving and toss the salad gently. This will help keep the bread cubes crispy.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
5 Ingredient Chicken Panzanella Salad
Equipment
- salad plate
Ingredients
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken shredded
- 1 15 ounce package spinach
- 2 cups bread cubed or torn
- 2 cups strawberries sliced
- 4 tablespoons apple cider vinaigrette
Instructions
- Place spinach on a plate.
- Arrange chicken on top of the spinach
- Top with berries and bread
- Drizzle dressing over the top
- Serve fresh.
Notes
Nutrition
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Megan
Delicious and easy salad to make.
Megan
So easy to make but so delicious for a simple and easy salad dish, thank you!