Name: Napa Almond Chicken Salad (Panera Copycat)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 19 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup sliced almonds; 3 heaping cups fully cooked chicken breast (chopped (I used rotisserie chicken)); 1/2 cup halved or quartered seedless red grapes; 1/3 cup diced celery; 3/4 cup mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon); 1 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon dry ground mustard; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed rosemary; 1/2 teaspoon fine ground sea salt (or to taste); 1/4 teaspoon dried basil; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste); 12 slices sourdough sandwich bread; 2 small tomatoes (sliced); green leaf lettuce

30 30 Minute Meals

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This absolutely delicious chicken salad was inspired by the Napa Almond Chicken Salad at Panera. It is easy to make at home and so much like the restaurant version!

A Napa Almond Chicken Salad Sandwich sliced in half and stacked on a plate with grapes.

I am in love with the Napa Almond Chicken Salad at Panera. No joke. So much so that I decided I had to pick apart their ingredient list, which thankfully is available online. I was determined to figure out how to make my own version at home.

The resulting recipe is just plain awesome. I’m so happy with it and everyone here gave it a great big thumbs up. It’s a perfect lunch choice but also makes an easy soup and sandwich dinner.

A Panera copycat chicken salad sandwich sliced in half and stacked on a white plate with grapes.

Prep the Ingredients

I like to lightly toast the almonds to enhance their flavor and texture before adding them to the chicken salad.

Sliced almonds on a baking sheet and the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.

Spread sliced almonds out over a rimmed baking sheet and toast them in a 350 degree F oven for a few minutes. Allow them to cool while you prep the remaining ingredients.
For the dressing combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey, apple cider, dry ground mustard, onion powder, dried crushed rosemary, fine ground sea salt, dried basil, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl.

Assemble the Salad

The ingredients for the Napa Almond Chicken Salad in a bowl and the dressing is poured over the top.

Combine chopped cooked chicken, diced celery, and halved red seedless grapes in a large bowl.
Pour the dressing over the top and mix it to combine it well.

This recipe is an excellent way to make use of rotisserie chicken or use your own fully cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast.

The almonds are added to the Napa Chicken Salad and a sandwich is assembled.

Add the cooled, toasted almonds and mix lightly to combine.
Assemble your sandwiches on sliced sourdough bread with green leaf lettuce and sliced tomatoes. This is how they serve it at Panera but you can add or substitute any toppings you love.

How Long Does Chicken Salad Last?

Chicken salad with a mayonnaise or dairy based dressing should be promptly refrigerated in an airtight container and consumed within 3 to 4 days.

A Napa Almond Chicken Salad Sandwich sliced in half and stacked on a plate with a tomato in the background.

Lighten it Up

This recipe can easily be lightened up by substituting light (reduced fat) sour cream or nonfat plain Greek yogurt for up to half of the mayonnaise. I’ve done it with sour cream and it was awesome. I don’t recommend eliminating the mayonnaise altogether for the best tasting result.