Name: Panera's Chicken Salad Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/3 cup almonds; 2 cups cooked, diced, chicken breast; 3/4 cup red grapes- sliced; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup plain yogurt; 1 tablespoon honey; 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

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Now you can make Panera’s chicken salad recipe right at home with my super easy copycat version! It’s quick, easy, and made with wholesome ingredients so you can feel good about what you’re putting in your body. Skip the fast food and make your own version right at home!

Panera's chicken salad recipe on bread with lettuce and tomato.

Chicken salad is one of my favorite light lunches to make. It’s quick, easy, SUPER versatile, and a great option to use up any leftover chicken you have sitting in your fridge. Today I’m sharing Panera’s version of chicken salad, and it’s got to be one of the most delicious chicken salad recipes out there.

This easy recipe only needs 3 main ingredients that are mixed with a simple dressing, chilled, then served and enjoyed by the entire family. You can serve it with chips and salsa or air fryer veggies for a healthy, balanced, and filling meal.

Whether you make it into a sandwich, a wrap, or enjoy as is- this Panera bread copycat recipe is sure to become one of your new favorite recipes.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Tastes even better than the original
Quick and easy
Great way to repurpose leftover chicken
Makes delicious lunches or simple dinners

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE PANERA’S CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE

Panera's chicken salad recipe ingredients labeled with black text.

Cooked chicken breasts: This is a great recipe for any leftover chicken you have
Toasted almonds: Substitute with pistachios or sunflower seeds for a nut free option
Red grapes: Make sure your grapes are crunchy
Mayonnaise: I like to use Primal Kitchen’s
Yogurt: Any plain yogurt will work
Honey
Vinegar: I used apple cider vinegar
Spices: Salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, dried rosemary

HOW TO MAKE PANERA’S CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE AT HOME

Place almonds into a small skillet and toast them over medium low heat for 5-6 minutes. Once they start to smell fragrant and look darker in color, they’re done. Take the pan off the heat and let the almonds cool while you prepare the rest of the ingredients
On a cutting board, use a sharp knife to cut your cooked chicken breasts into bite size pieces as well as slice the grapes in half. Place the cut chicken and sliced grapes into a large bowl
Once the almonds are cooled, chop them into small pieces and add to the bowl of chicken
Stir the dry ingredients together, then add the mayo, yogurt, honey, vinegar, and spices to the chicken mixture
Use a wooden spoon to mix everything until well combined, then chill until you’re ready to serve

toasted almonds in a white skillet. — **Toast almonds over medium/low heat**

copycat panera's chicken salad ingredients in a bowl. — **Add all ingredients to a large bowl**

healthy chicken salad in a glass bowl. — **Mix all ingredients together and chill**

INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS AND VARIATIONS

Substitutions:

Chicken: Use leftover turkey instead, or rotisserie chicken from the grocery store

Almonds: You can substitute with pistachios, cashews, pecans, or walnuts. If you have a nut allergy, use toasted sunflower seeds instead.

Grapes: Dried cranberries or green grapes will also work

Mayo: Lighten it up and use all yogurt instead

Honey: Substitute with sugar or maple syrup

Dried rosemary: Dried thyme is a great alternative

Variations:

Chicken salad sandwich: Serve on toasted sourdough bread with lettuce and tomato

Wrap: Place chilled chicken salad onto the center of your favorite tortilla and wrap it up

Lemon herb mayonnaise: Add 1 teaspoon of lemon pepper seasoning plus 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary in place of the salt and pepper

Dairy free: Take the yogurt out and make with all mayonnaise

Elevated: Add chopped bacon and red onions

Panera's chicken salad recipe on bread wrapped in brown paper.

STORING LEFTOVERS OF PANERA’S CHICKEN SALAD

You can store any leftover of this Panera copycat recipe in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Personally, I think it tastes better the next day because all the flavors have had time to meld together.

FAQs

How do I cook chicken breast for chicken salad?

I like to boil mine in chicken broth or water until they’re cooked through (about 15 minutes) then let them cool and cut or shred into bite size pieces.

Does this taste like Panera’s restaurant version?

I think it tastes better, plus you know that it’s made with wholesome ingredients.

What can I do with Panera’s chicken salad?

You can eat it as is, or turn it into a tasty sandwich, wrap, or serve over greens and make a delicious salad.

Did you make my easy copycat Panera’s chicken salad recipe? If you did, I would greatly appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. Additionally, you can follow me on Instagram and tag me if you make this or any other of my easy recipes.