Copycat Restaurant Recipes
Restaurant-Style Panera Napa Almond Chicken Salad Sandwich
Recreate the iconic Panera Bread favorite with this simple Napa Almond Chicken Salad Sandwich. It balances savory chicken and creamy dressing with the sweet burst of grapes and the crunch of toasted almonds for a perfect meal.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Serves
- 4
- Level
- Easy
- Per serving
- 490 kcal
Method
Lightly toast the sliced almonds in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until they are fragrant and golden brown, then set them aside to cool.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, and lemon juice until the dressing is smooth.
Add the shredded chicken, diced celery, and halved grapes to the bowl with the dressing and fold everything together until evenly coated.
Gently stir in the cooled toasted almonds, reserving a few for garnish if desired.
Season the mixture with a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste.
Lay out the bread slices and place a leaf of lettuce on four of the slices.
Scoop a generous portion of the chicken salad onto the lettuce and top with the remaining bread slices.
Notes
Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time on busy weeknights.
Toast the almonds just before assembly to ensure they stay crunchy and don't get soggy in the salad.
For the most authentic Panera flavor, use a honey-wheat or rustic sourdough bread.
Chill the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
