Napa Almond Chicken Salad Recipe

Napa Almond Chicken Salad is a fresh, crunchy, and flavorful chicken salad packed with red grapes, toasted almonds, and a creamy dressing you’ll want to slather on everything. Inspired by the beloved Panera Bread version, this copycat recipe is a delicious (and healthier) alternative you can prep in minutes at home.

Whether you serve it between slices of dark rye, wrap it in lettuce, or scoop it with crackers, this salad is a fantastic choice for lunches, meal prep, or light dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

this recipe

• 🥪 Panera-style at home: All the flavor at a fraction of the cost
• 🥗 Versatile: Serve as a sandwich, salad topper, or snack with crackers
• 🧄 Lightened up: Uses Greek yogurt for a healthier, protein-packed dressing
• ⏱️ Quick & easy: Just 10 minutes of prep if your chicken is ready
• 🌿 Meal-prep friendly: Stores well for up to 5 days in the fridge

Ingredients

Chicken Salad

• 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
• 1 cup celery, finely diced
• 1 cup red grapes, quartered
• ¼ cup sliced almonds (toasted if desired)
• ½ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)

Creamy Dressing

• 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt (or all mayo if preferred)
• ⅓ cup light mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp spicy or Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp honey
• ½ lemon, juiced
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

For Serving (Optional)

• Hearty bread (e.g. rye or whole grain)
• Lettuce or baby spinach
• Sliced tomato
• Pickles

Instructions

1. Prep ingredients: Shred or dice the chicken. Dice celery and onions, and quarter the grapes. Toast almonds if desired (see Tips below).
2. Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayo, mustard, honey, lemon juice, and seasonings until smooth.
3. Mix the salad: Add chicken, celery, grapes, almonds, and onion to the bowl. Fold everything together until evenly coated.
4. Assemble sandwiches: Spread chicken salad onto bread slices. Add lettuce, tomato, and any other desired toppings. Serve fresh!

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Storage: Keeps in fridge up to 5 days in an airtight container

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Salad Only)

• Calories: 374
• Protein: 39g
• Carbohydrates: 21g
• Sugar: 14g
• Fat: 15g
• Sodium: 910mg
• Fiber: 2g

Tips & Variations

• Toasted almonds = more flavor: Bake sliced almonds at 350°F for 3–4 minutes until golden. Let cool before mixing.
• Using fresh chicken? Bake thin breasts at 400°F for 10–12 minutes. Cool, then shred.
• Fruit swaps: Use chopped apples instead of grapes for a crunchier twist.
• Try other nuts: Walnuts or pecans work great if you don’t have almonds.
• Cheese upgrade: Add crumbled goat cheese, feta, or a slice of sharp cheddar to your sandwich.

Napa Almond Chicken Salad

A healthy twist on Panera’s fan-favorite salad. This Napa Almond Chicken Salad is perfect for meal prep or a flavorful, high-protein sandwich filler.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: lunch

Cuisine: American

Calories: 374

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• **Chicken Salad**
• – 3 cups cooked chicken breast shredded or diced
• – 1 cup celery diced
• – 1 cup red grapes quartered
• – ¼ cup sliced almonds toasted optional
• – ½ cup red onion diced (optional)
• **Creamy Dressing**
• – 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• – ⅓ cup light mayonnaise
• – 1 tbsp spicy mustard
• – 1 tbsp honey
• – Juice of ½ lemon
• – ½ tsp onion powder
• – ½ tsp ground black pepper
• – ½ tsp salt
• – 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• **Optional for Serving**
• – Hearty bread rye or multigrain
• – Lettuce or spinach
• – Tomato slices
• – Pickles

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Cutting board
• – Knife
• Rubber spatula

Method

 

1. Prepare all ingredients: shred chicken, dice veggies, quarter grapes, toast almonds if using.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients.
3. Add chicken, celery, grapes, almonds, and onion. Fold to coat evenly.
4. Serve on bread, greens, or with crackers. Enjoy chilled.

Notes

– Toast almonds at 350°F for 3–4 minutes for added flavor.
– Swap grapes with diced apples or add crumbled cheese for extra flavor.
– Store in fridge for up to 5 days.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead for meal prep?
Yes! Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The flavor gets even better by day two.

Can I skip the yogurt?
Sure—use all mayo if you prefer a classic creamy dressing. Or try a dairy-free substitute like avocado mayo.

Is this gluten-free?
The salad itself is gluten-free. Use gluten-free bread or lettuce wraps for serving.

Can I freeze chicken salad?
No—this mayo/yogurt-based salad doesn’t freeze well. Make fresh and store in the fridge only.

Conclusion

This Napa Almond Chicken Salad recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor to your home kitchen—with better nutrition and way more leftovers. Whether you’re packing lunches, hosting brunch, or craving something crunchy and creamy, this salad delivers every time. It’s healthy, simple, and satisfying—what more could you ask for?