Savory

November 17, 2021

Copycat Napa Almond Chicken Salad

When the Sunday blues hit, most often I just want to kick back and relax. When I think about meal-prepping lunches for the week, I want something easy, stress-free and fairly quick so that I can actually Netflix and chill. In these scenarios, chicken salad is my go-to.

I’ve made at least a half dozen chicken salad recipes – ones that have variations of eggs, pickles, capers, olives, apples, etc. But since I absolutely love Panera’s chicken salad, I thought I would try to re-create the best parts of what I like about it.

Some tips and recs:

  • Use rotisserie chicken. Skip the extra steps of cooking a chicken and buy a roasted chicken at the store! These are fairly inexpensive, very flavorful and you probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference if you cooked your own. Plus, this will save you more time when meal-prepping.
  • Mayonnaise or Greek yogurt? I use both, but more yogurt because it’s healthier and tastier in my opinion. Greek yogurt gives the same consistency as mayo, but its low cal and still acts as a glue to bind everything together.
  • Use sourdough bread. I think this is the best bread to use for this dish, especially when toasted! I even add a little bit of European butter to the bread before I add all of the elements, shh.

Copycat Napa Almond Chicken Salad

By popular demand, here's my favorite chicken salad recipe that's perfectly savory with just the right amount of crunch and sweet. No need to go to Panera if you can make this in your own kitchen in less than 30 minutes!

Author:

Lauren Negrete

Prep:

20

min

cook:

5

min

total:

25

min

Ingredients

Main
  • 1 rotisserie chicken, bones removed and chopped 
  • 1/2 cup unsalted almonds, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup seedless red grapes, quartered 
  • 1/3 cup red onion, diced
  • 3-4 celery stalks, diced
Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Greek low fat yogurt
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 medium-sized lemon, freshly squeezed juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Fresh ground pepper
Toppings
  • 1 loaf sourdough bread
  • Bag of greens (see recipe note)
  • 2-4 medium tomatoes, sliced
  • 2 avocados, sliced


Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine chicken, almonds, grapes, red onion and celery.
  2. In a separate and medium bowl, combine the dressing ingredients and mix throughly to combine. Then pour the dressing over the chicken and gently stir until well combined.
  3. Toast sourdough bread in (toaster) oven until lightly browned. Top bread with greens, tomatoes, avocado and chicken salad. Enjoy!
  4. Seal the remaining amount in an airtight container. Will stay good in the fridge for up to five days.

Recipe Notes:

  • What kind of almonds – typically they sell pre-sliced almonds in the baking/cake aisle of the grocery store.
  • For the greens – I like supergreens or a mix of baby spinach and arugula. 
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November 9, 2021
Heidi
Made the chicken salad, and it was easy and delicious! I will definitely be making it again. It’s perfect to have ready for easy lunches!
November 3, 2021
Lynda Negrete
I think I’ll try the recipe with leftover turkey after Thanksgiving. What do you think?