This Panera Bread copycat recipe for Napa Almond Chicken Salad made with tender white meat chicken, slivered almonds and grapes in a honey lemon herb mayonnaise makes a tasty sandwich for lunch or dinner.
When our oldest daughter was still in high school and taking SAT prep courses, there was a Panera Bread restaurant right next door.
Since it was too far for me to drive her back and forth, I'd just stay the 2 hours, get something to eat, like this Napa Almond Chicken Salad or some soup and get some blogging work done. It was actually quite relaxing.
I really enjoyed their sandwich so much that I visited the website and printed out the description of the sandwich so that I can replicate it myself one of these days.
Five years later as I was sifting through all of the recipes I want to make, I came across it and since I had just made a roasted chicken and had leftovers, decided that now would be the perfect time.
How do you make Panera Bread Napa Almond Chicken Salad?
After looking at their detailed ingredients list, I highlighted the ingredients. I only used the more natural ingredients that I keep in my pantry and got to work. For this recipe you'll need cooked chicken (preferably white meat), slivered almonds, red grapes, and celery.
Combine all of these ingredients in a medium bowl; then make the dressing.
How do you make the dressing?
For the dressing, you'll need honey, cider vinegar, mayonnaise (I prefer Hellmann's), and mustard powder, lemon rind, rosemary, basil, black pepper, garlic and onion powder. If you have lemon pepper seasoning, you can use that in place of the lemon rind and black pepper.
Whisk all ingredients together; then add to the chicken and mix well to combine all of the ingredients. This recipe for Napa Almond Chicken Salad was so good and tasted just like the original.
Make a sandwich or just eat it without, it's so flavorful you really don't even need the bread. This Panera Copycat Napa Almond Chicken Salad makes 3 cups or six Ā½ cup servings and it taste just like the restaurant version. ~Enjoy!
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Napa Almond Chicken Salad (Panera Bread Copycat)
Ingredients
For the Chicken Salad
- 2 c. Cooked & Diced Boneless Chicken Breasts
- Ā¼ c. Diced Celery
- Ā¼ c. Slivered Almonds
- Ā½ c. Grapes, cut in half
- Prepared Dressing
For the Dressing
- 1 tbsp. Honey
- 1 tsp. Cider Vinegar
- Ā¼ c. Mayonnaise
- 1 tsp. Ground Mustard
- 1 tsp. Grated Lemon Peel
- ā tsp. Onion Powder
- ā tsp. Black Pepper
- ā tsp. Garlic Powder
- 2 tsp. Fresh Basil, chopped
- 2 tsp. Fresh Rosemary, chopped
Instructions
For the Chicken Salad
- Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl until combined.
For the Dressing
- Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until combined.
Nutrition
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Laura says
This is amazingly delicious and I've been searching for it for years! Thank you SO much for figuring it out and sharing!
One quick question for you: I notice you mention paprika in the text of the post but not in the ingredients list... should it be added? Thanks again! š
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says
Thanks Laura and I thought it tasted a lot like it too. As for the paprika, I don't know why I put it in the text part (I think I was stopped and then when I came back to writing it I mixed it up with another post!). There is no paprika in the recipe. š
Mindy Koentopp says
The Napa Almond Sandwich is one of my favorites from Panera!!
I used left over drumsticks and just ate it out of the bowl...LOL
It was so good. Took like 5 minutes to whip up and I love how easy it is!
I'll definitely be making it again!
Thank you for the recipe!!
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says
I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe Mindy, thanks so much for stopping back to let me know! š
Aarti Patel says
My family and I loved the taste of this recipe, it was like food gold sitting in our fridge. I followed the instructions as listed, maybe adding a touch more mustard, honey, and mayo to taste. It was good for lunch and dinner, and paired well with other meal items too. I'd say that this recipe tastes even better than what I bought at Panera. Thanks Carrie, I'll be coming back here to see what else you're making.
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says
I'm so glad you and your family enjoyed the recipe Aarti. Thank you for trying it and I hope you find others you'd like to try. Don't forget to use the Search box or the Recipe Index if you're looking for something particular.
David says
There is no mustard in the real deal (hubby works at Panera and has ingredient list)
David says
Oops scratch that - I just noticed it had mustard oil. I need new glasses!
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says
No worries š
Kim A. says
Recipe is delicious! I chilled it for about an hour to allow the flavors to blend before serving.
"This Panera Bread copycat recipe for Napa Almond Chicken Salad made with tender white meat chicken, silvered almonds and grapes in a honey lemon herb mayonnaise makes a tasty sandwich for lunch or dinner"
Your recipe description/intro says the chicken is in a "honey lemon herb mayonnaise" dressing. The directions list the lemon peel, rosemary, and basil under the chicken mixture. Should those three be added to the dressing to allow the flavors to blend better?
Also, the description/intro still shows "silvered" almonds. It looks like you fixed the others.
Kim.
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says
Thank you Kim for pointing out the errors I made in the recipe description, I have made all of the corrections if you'd like to print out a new copy to keep for your records. Technically, you're correct that the lemon and herbs should go in the mayonnaise mixture based on the description so I moved them under the dressing portion of the recipe; though you can add any of these ingredients at any time and it would still taste the same since it all gets mixed together. I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Katie says
This is IT! It tastes exactly like Paneras but I enjoy it even more bc I didn't have to pay $6 for half a sandwich! Thanks!
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says
We thought so too and you're right, Panera can be costly! I'm so glad you tried and enjoyed the recipe Katie! š
Mandie says
Hello! How long will this hold on the fridge? This will make 6 servings which would be 3 days for 2 people for us. With the grapes and everything in it would it be ok for 3 days?
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says
Hi Mandie, I generally follow the "3 day rule" for all food because I don't really like leftovers or to eat the same thing repetitively throughout the week. So this salad should be perfectly fine left in the refrigerator for 3 days. I'll update the recipe card to make a note of that. You can also make less by adjusting the serving size on the recipe card if you'd like as well. Enjoy the recipe!
Angela says
I made this today and this recipe is spot on! Simply delicious!
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says
I'm so glad you liked the recipe Angela, thanks for trying!