Inspired by Panera’s famous Napa Almond Chicken Salad, this homemade version is just as delicious and so easy to make! Panera may have taken it off the menu, but you can still enjoy this favorite at home.
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Okay, Panera, what’s up? You revamp your menu and decide to remove my favorite item? Based on the overwhelming response to you eliminating the Napa Almond Chicken Salad from your menu, I can see that I’m not alone in my disappointment.
Thankfully, about 5 years ago I decided I to pick apart Panera’s ingredient list, which at the time was available online. I was determined to figure out how to make my own version at home and holy-wow, did it work! This recipe has become a 5-star reader favorite and out of all of my beloved chicken salad recipes, it’s my favorite too!
It’s a perfect lunch choice, but also makes an easy soup and sandwich dinner.
Table of contents
Ingredient Notes
Modified from Panera’s ingredient list. Here’s what you’ll need to put this absolutely delicious chicken salad together.
- Chicken: This recipe is an excellent way to make use of rotisserie chicken or use your own fully cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast. Like the Panera version, I chop the chicken instead of shredding it for more texture.
- Mayonnaise: I l use a healthy fat mayo like olive oil mayo in all of my chicken salad recipes. You can easily lighten it up by substituting light (reduced fat) sour cream or nonfat plain Greek yogurt for up to half of the mayonnaise. I do this frequently! I don’t recommend eliminating the mayonnaise altogether for the best tasting result.
- Fresh produce: Diced celery and halved or quartered red grapes.
- Seasoning: The combination of dried spices adds a really nice, fresh punch of herby flavor. Dry ground mustard, onion powder, crushed rosemary, basil, fine ground sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds a tangy kick to the dressing.
- Honey: For a touch of sweetness.
- Almonds: Lightly toasted sliced almonds.
- For the sandwiches: 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 to Make Napa Almond Chicken Salad
Before you mix together the chicken salad, lightly toast the almonds to enhance their flavor and texture. Spread them 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.
- Add chicken, grapes, and celery to a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate small bowl combine the dressing ingredients.
- Pour the dressing over the top of the chicken mixture and toss it with a spoon until the dressing is well incorporated.
- Add the cooled almonds and mix lightly to combine.
Serving Suggestions
Sandwiches: We love this chicken salad piled on sturdy sandwich bread with sliced tomato and greens. I rotate between sliced sourdough and thick sliced whole grain bread.
Low-Carb Options: Roll it up into low-carb wraps with your toppings of choice. Or, for a light lunch, try scooping it into endive lettuce leaves. So satisfyingly crunchy!
Storage Tips
Chicken salad with a mayonnaise or dairy-based dressing should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated promptly. For the best quality, enjoy it within 3 to 4 days.
More Chicken Salad Recipes You’ll Love
My love for chicken salad knows no bounds! I always make a couple of different versions when guests come to stay, so they can grab a sandwich or wrap anytime of day or night. It’s the perfect make-ahead meal. Here are some of my faves.
- Pesto Chicken Salad – A creamy (to die for!) pesto dressing graces this yummy version.
- Curry Chicken Salad – Dotted with sweet golden raisins and toss in an irresistible curry dressing.
- Classic Chicken Salad – Get back to the basics with this simple chicken salad.
- Avocado Chicken Salad – Avocado and crisp crumbled bacon add amazing flavor to this one!
- Cranberry Chicken Salad – Dried cranberries, almonds, and a poppy seed dressing.
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Napa Almond Chicken Salad (Panera Copycat)
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 3 heaping cups fully cooked chicken breast, chopped (I used rotisserie chicken)
- ½ cup halved or quartered seedless red grapes
- ⅓ cup diced celery
Dressing:
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, from 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon dry ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried crushed rosemary
- ½ teaspoon fine ground sea salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
For the Rest:
- 12 slices sourdough sandwich bread
- 2 small tomatoes, sliced
- green leaf lettuce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the almonds on a small baking sheet and transfer to the oven for 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
- Add chicken, grapes, and celery to a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate small bowl combine the dressing ingredients. Pour the dressing over the top of the chicken mixture and mix to incorporate the dressing throughout. Add the cooled almonds and mix lightly to combine.
- Divide the mixture between the bread and top with tomato and green leaf lettuce.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home.
Like this? Please rate & comment below!
This post was originally published on June 10, 2020. It has been updated with new text and images.
This is what I was looking for. Can’t wait to try it! They must have heard the outcry and brough this back. I get it at least once a week, the latest just yesterday!
Interesting! We don’t have it on the menu at our Panera here. Happy to hear you love the recipe! 🙂
I followed the recipe. The apple cider vinegar/lemon/mustard made it pretty strong. I added more mayo and honey, more grapes, almonds and celery. It helped tremendously.
Am I the only one who thought the mustard and apple cider vinegar was too strong? Idk – I didn’t think it was good. So disappointed
Hi Clare. There is only 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of dry mustard (would want to be sure you used dry mustard?). These amounts should not add an overpowering flavor to the dressing. Sorry it didn’t work out for you!
do you know Panera no longer serves chicken salad. I was crushed
I know! Maybe we should start a campaign? (haha) The good news is that this recipe really is very close to the original. I hope you give it a try!
Thanks for doing this. It’s also one of my favorites!!
Hi Mary! I hope you love it. 🙂
I just made this and it’s spooky how close it is. GREAT RECIPE!!!
This recipe tasted very similar to Panera. Even my husband loves it. He always asks me to make it now. I love that it’s so easy to make and love that’s it sweet but not too sweet. Thank you for sharing!
I absolutely love this recipe, it’s my go to for chicken salad. Sometimes I do pecans instead of sliced almonds, but either way, it is fantastic!!! Thank you Valerie’s Kitchen♥️
Love the idea of subbing pecans. Yum! Thanks, Karrie. 🙂
This is the best chicken salad recipe I’ve ever made. Seasonings are spot on and didn’t need to add anything extra. Did throw in more grapes though!
This was exactly what I wanted it to be. Easy enough that my kids helped and then we all enjoyed a delicious lunch. Thank you so much!
So glad you loved it, Mandy! Thanks for your comment. 🙂
Delicious ! Tastes just like it! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome!
My husband and I love this recipe! Thank you!!