Soba Noodle Broth Bowls: Panera Bread Copycat

10/1/15

The first really chilly fall day in Toronto was yesterday, and automatically had me craving something warm and comforting. These Soba Noodle Broth Bowls are a loosely related Panera Bread Copycat, in a lower-sodium, rich mushroom broth instead of a soy-miso based soup broth.

I cooked the chicken breast in the oven in a simple marinade of olive oil, lemon and chili powder for a bit of kick (I can't stand plain chicken!), and this is relatively low maintenance while you focus on the veggies and the broth. I love a mushroom broth, so I used a trio of wild mushrooms in combination with beef broth to get that same umami, salty taste without too much soy sauce.

I used a blend of red cabbage, carrot matchsticks, broccoli slaw, and red Swiss chard alongside alfalfa sprouts as my vegetable garnish for this dish. It was one of those veggie blend packages from the grocery store, so super easy to add. Feel free to pick out your own blend here. That's one of the great things about these Broth Bowls-you can just add what you already have on hand in your fridge!

These Broth Bowls just spell fall, and the fresh ingredients and vegetables are a great source of nutrients to get you through shorter days and longer nights. Basically, they are like a healthier version of your fave Mr. Noodles-with less sodium, fat and processed ingredients. Can't you just see yourself curled up in a blanket on the couch with one of these watching a movie?

Will you be trying our Soba Noodle Broth Bowls, Panera Bread style? We promise you these are better than the real thing, and filled with nutrients!

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Soba Noodle Broth Bowls Panera Bread Copycat

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time30 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 2 cups soba noodles cooked
• 1 chicken breast
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup shelled edamame
• 1 cup red cabbage carrot matchsticks and chopped kale mix
• 1 package alfalfa sprouts

Mushroom broth

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup chopped shittake mushrooms
• 1/4 cup chopped oyster mushrooms
• 1 portobello mushroom chopped
• 1 yellow onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp soy sauce

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• To make mushroom broth: heat olive oil on med-high heat in large saucepan, and add butter. When butter is melted, add mix of chopped mushrooms, onions and garlic and sauté until fragrant.
• Meanwhile, toss chicken with olive oil, lemon juice, chili powder and salt. Cook in oven for 30-32 min depending on size of breast until fully cooked.
• When mushrooms start to release juices, add beef broth and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 15 min, and then add edamame. Cook for another 2 min, then add soba noodles. Be careful not to overcook them as they will stay in the broth and not be drained.
• In large soup or pasta bowls, use a ladle to place noodle mixture in each bowl. Add chicken and veggies (the cabbage blend should be fresh! The broth will do the cooking), and then ladle the broth overtop. I like less broth but I know many people will want this dish to be more of a soup, so it's up to you!
• Enjoy before it gets cold!