Sweetgreen's New Chicken Sesame Crunch Salad is Here for Spring
Katherine Pendrill — March 25, 2026 — Lifestyle
References: instagram & qsrmagazine
Sweetgreen is offering a fresh take on a classic Californian dish with the launch of its new Chicken Sesame Crunch Salad.
Catering to the growing number of consumers looking for fresh ingredients and a healthy serving of protein, Sweetgreen's new Chicken Sesame Crunch Salad has it all. Described as "sunshine in a salad," the new dish features a hearty mix of napa cabbage slaw, organic shredded kale, chopped romaine lettuce, shredded cabbage, carrots, crispy noodles, and a sesame crunch topper. The addition of antibiotic-free roasted chicken also packs 35 grams of protein into every serving, while a juicy citrus sesame vinaigrette brings everything together with a zesty citrus twist.
As Zipporah Allen, Chief Commercial Officer at Sweetgreen, explains, "Chicken Sesame Crunch brings together bold citrus flavor, satisfying crunch and real, thoughtfully sourced ingredients. This salad is sunshine in a bowl, vibrant, craveable and full of flavor."
Image Credit: Sweetgreen
Catering to the growing number of consumers looking for fresh ingredients and a healthy serving of protein, Sweetgreen's new Chicken Sesame Crunch Salad has it all. Described as "sunshine in a salad," the new dish features a hearty mix of napa cabbage slaw, organic shredded kale, chopped romaine lettuce, shredded cabbage, carrots, crispy noodles, and a sesame crunch topper. The addition of antibiotic-free roasted chicken also packs 35 grams of protein into every serving, while a juicy citrus sesame vinaigrette brings everything together with a zesty citrus twist.
As Zipporah Allen, Chief Commercial Officer at Sweetgreen, explains, "Chicken Sesame Crunch brings together bold citrus flavor, satisfying crunch and real, thoughtfully sourced ingredients. This salad is sunshine in a bowl, vibrant, craveable and full of flavor."
Image Credit: Sweetgreen
Trend Themes
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Protein-forward Salads — Higher protein portions in ready-to-eat salads are creating openings for novel formulations that combine meat alternatives and concentrated protein sources with fresh produce.
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Textural Contrast Foods — Crisp toppings and crunchy components paired with tender greens are prompting development of stable textures and packaging that preserve crunch from kitchen to consumer.
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Clean-label Sourcing — Transparent sourcing of antibiotic-free proteins and organic produce is driving demand for traceable supply chains and certified-ingredient product lines.
Industry Implications
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Fast-casual Restaurants — Menu innovation focused on bold flavors and nutrient-dense compositions is reshaping service models and ingredient procurement strategies.
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Food Manufacturing & Ingredients — Specialty producers of crispy toppings, shelf-stable dressings, and concentrated plant proteins are positioned to supply scalable components for protein-rich fresh meals.
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Health & Wellness Retail — Retailers that curate high-protein, clean-label meal options and refrigerated convenience salads are expanding their offerings to meet consumer demand for nutritious grab-and-go choices.
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