Panera Bread Napa Almond Chicken Salad Recipe

Panera Bread Napa Almond Chicken Salad is a fresh, textural delight combining tender chicken, sweet seedless grapes, and crunchy celery in a unique honey-based dressing. Ideally the sliced almonds should be toasted in a dry pan until fragrant to release their nutty oils and prevent them from becoming soggy in the creamy mixture.

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Panera Bread Napa Almond Chicken Salad Recipe Ingredients

The Salad Base:

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
• 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted

The Napa Dressing:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (high quality like Hellmann’s or Duke’s)
• 1 tbsp honey (or more to taste)
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp dried rosemary (crushed) or 1/2 tsp fresh rosemary (minced)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

How To Make Panera Bread Napa Almond Chicken Salad Recipe

1. Prep the Chicken: Ensure your cooked chicken is fully chilled. Dice the chicken breast into uniform 1/2-inch cubes. Panera typically uses cubed chicken rather than shredded for this specific salad to maintain a distinct texture.
2. Toast the Almonds: Place the sliced almonds in a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat. Shake the pan frequently for 3 to 5 minutes until the nuts are light golden brown and smell nutty. Remove from heat immediately to cool.
3. Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, crushed rosemary, salt, and pepper. Taste the dressing; it should be creamy with a distinct tang and a hint of herbal sweetness.
4. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced chicken, halved red grapes, and diced celery.
5. Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture. Fold everything together gently using a rubber spatula until the ingredients are evenly coated.
6. Add the Crunch: Fold in the cooled toasted almonds last to ensure they stay as crisp as possible.
7. Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the rosemary and honey flavors to permeate the chicken.

Recipe Tips

• Chicken Choice: Poached chicken breasts offer the cleanest flavor and softest texture for this salad. If using rotisserie chicken, remove the skin to keep the salad lean and avoid adding too much salt.
• Rosemary Prep: If using dried rosemary, crush it between your fingers or use a mortar and pestle to break it down. Large dried rosemary needles can be unpleasant to chew.
• Grape Selection: Red seedless grapes are the traditional choice for their sweetness and color contrast, but crisp green grapes work well too if you prefer a tart flavor profile.
• Avoid Watery Salad: Ensure your grapes and celery are thoroughly dried after washing. Excess water will dilute the creamy dressing and make the salad runny.

What To Serve With Panera Bread Napa Almond Chicken Salad

Chicken salad accompaniments are wholesome additions frequently served to turn a light filling into a hearty sandwich or platter. Ideally the sourdough bread should be thick-cut and soft to contrast with the crunchy texture of the celery and almonds.

• Slices of Country Rustic Sourdough or a flaky croissant
• Panera Bread Potato Soup
• Fresh melon wedges or an apple
• Mixed greens (if serving as a salad bowl rather than a sandwich)

How To Store Panera Bread Napa Almond Chicken Salad

• Refrigerate: Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the coldest part of your refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
• Stir Before Serving: The dressing may settle at the bottom of the container after sitting. Give it a good stir to redistribute the creamy sauce before making your sandwich.
• Freeze: Freezing is not recommended. The mayonnaise will separate, and the grapes and celery will become mushy and unappealing upon thawing.

Panera Bread Napa Almond Chicken Salad Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 340 kcal (per serving)
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Protein: 24g
• Fat: 22g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 9g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving based on 4 servings.

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