If Panera’s classics are some of your favorites, then learning how to make a Copycat Panera Napa Almond Chicken Salad Recipe is something you’ll be glad you did.
This copycat recipe will bring you all the bright, fresh, and slightly sweet flavors of the beloved café classic right in your kitchen!
Whenever we dine there, I would almost always get myself this hefty sandwich. I just can’t get enough of it. It’s THAT good! The beautifully harmonious flavors and textures, from creamy, tangy, sweet, crunchy, and fresh, makes every bite satisfying. That’s why this is what comes to my mind whenever I want to treat myself to something special.
Although I love Panera’s Napa Almond Chicken Salad so much, I know I can create my own version of this recipe. I’m all for enjoying restaurant classics, but I believe it’s better to enjoy them these days at home at a fraction of the cost. Which brings us to this Copycat Panera Napa Almond Chicken Salad recipe!
What is Copycat Panera Napa Almond Chicken Salad made of?
My homemade version is every bit as good as what you get at Panera. I kept this true to the original Panera bread chicken salad recipe with tender chicken, toasted almonds, juicy grapes, and that creamy herbed mayo dressing.
And just like the restaurant version, it’s piled high on thick, hearty sourdough bread, on a bed of crisp lettuce and sliced tomatoes. It’s a Panera copycat recipe that tastes like the one you crave from their menu.
This delicious chicken salad is the perfect light lunch for a busy weekday that your entire family will love. It’s a Panera copycat recipe that’s even versatile enough to make a beautiful sandwich platter if you’re entertaining guests, too! If you’re looking for something to pair with this, my copycat recipes for Buffalo Wild Wings Potato Wedges, Velveeta Broccoli Cheese Soup, and Chick-Fil-A Waffle Fries make amazing sides.
Ingredients for the Copycat Panera Napa Almond Chicken Salad recipe
Below are the ingredients you will need to make this Copycat Panera Napa Almond Chicken Salad. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the recipe card for detailed ingredient measurements.
Chicken Salad:
- Cooked chicken breast: such as rotisserie chicken is also perfect for this recipe. It’s tender and flavorful, just like what Panera uses. Make sure you chop them into bite-sized pieces.
- Sliced almonds: are Panera’s signature element in the original version. Toasting these gives the chicken salad that extra crunch and depth.
- Sliced grapes: are perfect for this recipe for its natural sweetness. These play off with the creamy dressing beautifully.
- Celery: gives the chicken salad extra crunch and balance in flavor.
Dressing:
- Mayonnaise: is the base for the dreamy and creamy dressing.
- Sour cream: enhances the richness of the salad with a slight tang, apart from the quarter cup of mayonnaise.
- Honey: brings just the right amount of sweetness that’s similar to Panera’s signature flavor.
- Lemon juice: cuts through the creaminess and brightens the Copycat Panera Napa Almond Chicken Salad Recipe’s flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar: adds a little bit of zing to the creamy chicken salad.
- Dried basil & crushed dried rosemary: are the herbs that give it that signature Panera-style flavor.
- Kosher salt & black pepper: are both essential in seasoning the chicken mixture.
Assembling the Sandwich:
- Sourdough bread: is what you should opt for to achieve Panera’s version. It’s a hearty, tangy bread that holds up beautifully to the filling.
- Sliced Tomatoes: gives an added freshness to the sandwich.
- Lettuce: adds color and makes this chicken sandwich healthier.
How to Make Copycat Panera Napa Almond Chicken Salad
- Toast the Almonds. To toast the almonds, preheat your oven to 350°F. Spread the sliced almonds on a baking sheet and toast for 3-4 minutes, until the almonds are golden brown and fragrant. Set aside to let them cool completely.
- Make the Dressing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients such as sour cream, mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, basil, rosemary, a bit of salt, and pepper until everything is well combined and smooth.
- Prepare the Chicken Salad. Next, in a large bowl, combine the chopped chicken, grapes, and diced celery. Pour the tangy dressing over the top and mix until everything is fully coated. Once everything is mixed together, gently fold in the toasted almonds.
- Assemble Your Sandwich. To assemble the sandwich, layer a slice of sourdough bread with lettuce and fresh tomatoes. Then, scoop a generous portion of the Copycat Panera Napa Almond Chicken Salad and spread across the surface evenly.
- Serve or Chill. Now that your Napa Almond Chicken Salad sandwich is assembled, serve it immediately. Otherwise, refrigerate the salad for a few hours to let the flavors meld. In fact, it tastes even more like Panera’s the next day!
Tips and Tricks for the Best Results
- Use leftover roasted chicken for extra flavor and convenience, just like how Panera makes use of their in-house rotisserie chicken.
- Do not skip the almond toasting part. Doing this makes a huge difference in the salad’s flavor.
- Allow the chicken salad to chill for at least an hour if you can. A little patience goes a long way, because this gives the herbs and dressing some time to soak into the chicken and the rest of the ingredients.
- Customize your chicken salad by adding spices like garlic powder, dry mustard, and onion powder when making the dressing. To make the sandwich even more satisfying, add some slices of red onion and dill pickle into the mix during assembly.
Why You Need to Make This Copycat Panera Bread Recipe
This copycat recipe is a must-make if you’re a Panera fan. Aside from not having to pay hefty prices to enjoy this, one of my favorite things about this recipe is that it’s healthy. I get a good amount of vegetables in this sandwich recipe without sacrificing the flavor.
Also, it comes together quickly using simple ingredients you can most likely find in the grocery store. It’s versatile and meal-prep friendly and is a great way to repurpose leftover chicken. If you want to eat fresh, this Copycat Panera Napa Almond Chicken Salad Recipe delivers big time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
You can use canned chicken in a pinch, but rotisserie chicken or steamed chicken breasts will give you the best Panera-like texture and flavor.
You can use a different type of white meat such as turkey if you’d like.
You can use Greek yogurt as an alternative. But since it’s tangy, you may want to lessen the sour cream. The flavor will still be great.
If stored properly in an airtight container, then this Panera copycat recipe can last up to 3 days. Stir the chicken salad from time to time to coat the salad with dressing consistently.
Absolutely! If you want to skip the sourdough slices, then swap them with greens like lettuce for delicious lettuce wraps.
Additionally, try layering your sandwich with sliced red or green onions, or even some diced apple in the salad for added crunch and flavor.
Yes. In fact, the flavors actually get better after a few hours when given time to blend in the fridge.
Instead of sourdough (if unavailable), you can use Ciabatta or Hoagie rolls as substitutes.
How to Make a Panera Napa Almond Chicken Salad Recipe Copycat from Scratch
Homemade Panera Napa Almond Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken Salad:
- 3 heaping cups cooked chicken breast chopped (rotisserie works great!)
- 3/4 cup sliced almonds toasted
- 3/4 cup red grapes halved or quartered
- 3/4 cup diced celery
For the Dressing:
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream for extra creaminess
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey for a subtle touch of sweetness
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary crushed
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Assembling the Sandwich:
- 8 slices Country Rustic Sourdough bread or your favorite hearty bread
- 1-2 small vine-ripened tomatoes sliced
- Green leaf lettuce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread almonds on a baking sheet and toast for 3-4 minutes, until golden and fragrant. Let cool.3/4 cup sliced almonds
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, honey, apple cider vinegar, basil, rosemary, salt, and pepper until smooth.¾ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sour cream, 1 ½ tablespoons honey, 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Prepare the Chicken Salad
- In a large bowl, combine chopped chicken, celery, and grapes. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss until everything is well coated. Gently fold in the toasted almonds.3 heaping cups cooked chicken breast, 3/4 cup red grapes, 3/4 cup diced celery
- Spread the chicken salad onto slices of sourdough bread. Top with tomato slices, a few crisp lettuce leaves, and another slice of bread.8 slices Country Rustic Sourdough bread, 1-2 small vine-ripened tomatoes, Green leaf lettuce
- Enjoy immediately, or refrigerate the chicken salad for a few hours to allow the flavors to develop further. Perfect for meal prep or a fresh, flavorful lunch.
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