Napa Almond Chicken Salad (Panera Copycat)
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!
Servings: 6
Calories: 545kcal
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.
Video
Notes
To lighten this recipe up, substitute up to half of the mayonnaise with light (reduced fat) sour cream or nonfat plain Greek yogurt.
Nutrition
Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 545kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 750mg | Potassium: 330mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 230IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 3mg