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!
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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
- 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
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 ½ 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
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
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.
I think it tastes better, plus you know that it’s made with wholesome ingredients.
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.
PrintPanera's Chicken Salad Recipe
Skip the fast food and make Panera's chicken salad recipe right in the comfort of your own home! It's healthy, quick, and super tasty. Turn into sandwiches, wraps, or serve over greens for a light lunch or simple dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 Minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Mix-together
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup almonds
- 2 cups cooked, diced, chicken breast
- ¾ cup red grapes- sliced
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Place almonds into a small skillet and toast them on the stove over medium- low heat for 5-6 minutes until they start to smell fragrant and look darker in color.
- 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 then place into a large bowl
- On the same cutting board, slice the grapes in half and add to the bowl of chicken
- Once the almonds are cooled, chop them into small pieces and add to the grapes and chicken
- Stir the dry ingredients together, then add the mayo, yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, dried rosemary, pepper, and garlic powder into the bowl
- Use a wooden spoon to mix everything until well combined, then chill until you’re ready to serve
Notes
- Use leftover or rotisserie chicken
- Substitute the almonds for sunflower seeds for a nut free version
- Use green grapes or dried cranberries instead
- Make with all mayo for a dairy free version
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days
Keywords: Panera bread chicken salad recipe, Panera's copycat chicken salad, Panera napa almond chicken salad recipe
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