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Copycat Panera Napa Almond Chicken Salad recipe in a bowl

Homemade Panera Napa Almond Chicken Salad Recipe

This copycat Panera Napa Almond Chicken Salad is creamy, fresh, and full of flavor. Made with juicy chicken, grapes, and toasted almonds in a tangy honey dressing, it’s the perfect make-ahead meal for sandwiches or salads.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 14 minutes
Course brunch, dinner, lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

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.
Keyword Copycat Panera Napa Almond Chicken Salad recipe
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