Napa almond chicken salad is the perfect high-protein, flavor-packed dish that makes lunch feel special without any extra fuss. Inspired by the popular Panera Bread sandwich, this copycat version delivers the same crunchy, creamy, and slightly sweet goodness you crave—only now you can prep it at home for a fraction of the price. With juicy shredded chicken, crisp celery, sliced almonds, grapes, and a tangy Greek yogurt dressing, this recipe is a winner for meal prep, picnics, or satisfying sandwiches.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🥪 Meal prep-friendly – Stays fresh for up to 5 days
- 🥗 Versatile – Enjoy as a sandwich, lettuce wrap, or on crackers
- 💰 Budget-friendly – Just as tasty as Panera’s, for a fraction of the cost
- 💪 Lighter option – Uses Greek yogurt for a protein-packed creamy dressing
- 🥄 Quick & easy – Ready in just 10 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken Salad:
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup red grapes, quartered
- ¼ cup sliced almonds (toasted optional)
- ½ cup diced red onion (optional)
For the Dressing:
- 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup light mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp spicy mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Optional for Sandwich Assembly:
- 8 slices hearty bread (like rye or whole grain)
- Lettuce or spinach
- Sliced tomatoes
- Pickles (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients: Cook and shred the chicken if not done already. Dice the celery, onion, and quarter the grapes.
- Make the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayo, mustard, honey, lemon juice, and seasonings until smooth.
- Combine: Add shredded chicken, celery, grapes, almonds, and onion into the bowl. Fold gently until everything is well coated.
- Serve: Build sandwiches with bread, lettuce, tomatoes, and chicken salad, or serve with crackers, on greens, or in wraps.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Estimated Cost: $8–$10
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Chicken Salad Only)
- Calories: 374
- Protein: 39g
- Carbs: 21g
- Fat: 15g
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 910mg
Note: Nutrition varies slightly based on ingredients used.
Tips & Variations
- 🔥 Toast the almonds for extra flavor. 3–4 minutes at 350°F until golden.
- 🐓 Use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- 🍏 Swap the grapes with diced apples for a tart twist.
- 🧀 Add cheese – try feta or gorgonzola for an elevated flavor.
- 🌿 Make it dairy-free with mayo-only or a dairy-free yogurt alternative.
- 🥬 Low-carb? Serve in lettuce cups instead of bread.
Napa Almond Chicken Salad
Equipment
- – Mixing bowl
- – Cutting board & knife
- Measuring cups & spoons
- – Rubber spatula
Ingredients
- **Chicken Salad**
- – 3 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
- – 1 cup celery diced
- – 1 cup red grapes quartered
- – ¼ cup sliced almonds toasted optional
- – ½ cup red onion diced (optional)
- **Dressing**
- – 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
- – ⅓ cup light mayonnaise
- – 1 tbsp spicy mustard
- – 1 tbsp honey
- – Juice of ½ lemon
- – ½ tsp onion powder
- – ½ tsp salt
- – ½ tsp pepper
- – 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- **Optional for Sandwiches**
- – 8 slices hearty bread
- – Lettuce or spinach
- – Tomato slices
- – Pickles
Instructions
- Cook and shred chicken (if needed). Dice celery, onion, and grapes.
- Whisk dressing ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
- Add chicken, grapes, celery, almonds, and onion. Mix until coated.
- Serve as sandwich, salad, or with crackers.
Notes
– Swap grapes for apples
– Toast almonds for added flavor
– Store up to 5 days refrigerated
FAQs
Can I use canned chicken?
Yes, just drain well and shred before mixing.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
The salad itself is gluten-free. Choose gluten-free bread or wraps for sandwiches.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Absolutely! Store in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Can I freeze it?
Not recommended—Greek yogurt and fresh grapes don’t thaw well.
Does it taste like the Panera version?
Yes! This copycat uses similar ingredients and textures, plus it’s healthier and more affordable.
Conclusion
This napa almond chicken salad is creamy, crunchy, tangy, and sweet—everything a perfect chicken salad should be. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or making lunch for guests, this copycat recipe is a guaranteed hit. It’s fresh, satisfying, and endlessly customizable. Once you make it, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.