Panera Green Goddess Salad Recipe – Whole30, Keto & Paleo Options

This Whole30 and gluten-free Green Goddess Cobb Salad — a Panera Bread copycat — is a healthy, satisfying entrée salad you’ll want to make again and again.

Table of Contents

• A healthy copycat Panera Bread Green Goddess Cobb Salad recipe!
• Tips for the best Green Goddess Cobb Salad
• Ingredients
• How to make a copycat Panera’s Green Goddess Salad
• Make-ahead instructions
• More healthy and hearty salad recipes
• Printer-friendly recipe card

A healthy copycat Panera Bread Green Goddess Cobb Salad recipe!

If you want a hearty salad that tastes as good as it looks, try this copycat of Panera’s Green Goddess Cobb Salad. It combines cooked chicken, crisp romaine, creamy avocado, tangy pickled onions, juicy tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and crunchy bacon, all finished with a bright herb-forward Green Goddess dressing. It’s nourishing, naturally gluten free, and easily adapted for Whole30, paleo, or keto eating.

The original Panera description highlights antibiotic-free chicken and a mix of greens with avocado, bacon, and a Green Goddess dressing. After checking detailed ingredient lists from the chain, I set out to recreate the flavor with simple, whole-food ingredients and no unnecessary additives. The result is a fresher, cleaner version you can make at home in minutes when prepared ahead.

Tips for the best Green Goddess Cobb Salad

• Prep ahead: Make the dressing, quick-pickled onions, cooked chicken, and bacon in advance. With components ready, assembly takes just minutes.
• Add dressing only when serving: Keep the salad crisp by dressing it right before you eat.
• Customize freely: Swap proteins and vegetables based on what you have — salmon, shrimp, or steak all work well.

Ingredients

• Green Goddess Dressing: A dairy-free, herb-packed dressing made with avocado, basil, chives, parsley, olive oil, tahini, and lemon juice.
• Romaine lettuce: Chopped into bite-sized pieces. Use a salad blend if you prefer more variety.
• Bacon: Cooked until crisp and crumbled. Choose sugar-free bacon for Whole30 compliance.
• Hass avocados: Peeled, pitted, and cubed — about half an avocado per person is a good guide.
• Cooked chicken breast: Leftover or rotisserie chicken works great; shred or cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Cherry or grape tomatoes: Halved.
• Hard-boiled eggs: Peeled and halved.
• Quick-pickled red onions: Adds bright acidity that balances the richness of avocado and bacon.
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to finish.

How to make a copycat Panera’s Green Goddess Salad

Have a jar of Green Goddess dressing ready. If you don’t, blend avocado, fresh herbs (basil, chives, parsley), olive oil, tahini, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Layer the salad as follows:

• Place chopped romaine in a large bowl as the base.
• Arrange the toppings in rows or sections for a classic Cobb presentation: bacon, avocado, chicken, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and pickled red onions.
• Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Drizzle the Green Goddess dressing (about 1/2 cup for a salad serving 4) over the salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.

Make-ahead instructions

You can assemble the salad ingredients (excluding avocado and dressing) in a sealed container and refrigerate for up to four days. When ready to eat, add fresh avocado, season with salt and pepper, and toss with the dressing.

More healthy and hearty salad recipes

• Chinese Chicken Salad
• Chopped Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing
• Pineapple Coleslaw
• Asian Steak Salad
• Avocado Salad with Garlic Anchovy Vinaigrette
• Madras Chicken Salad