Are you craving that perfect combo of creamy chicken salad between two slices of bread? I’ve been on a personal mission to find the most delicious chicken salad sandwiches available, and let me tell you – there are some amazing options out there! Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner, these restaurant chains serve up chicken salad that’ll make your taste buds dance.
A Brief History of Chicken Salad
Before diving into where to get the best sandwich let’s appreciate the history of this American classic. Despite mayonnaise being invented way back in 1756 chicken salad didn’t appear on American menus until more than a century later.
Many food historians trace chicken salad’s origins to the 19th century, crediting Liam Gray, founder of Town Meats in Rhode Island, with creating the first known chicken salad in the US. His simple yet brilliant combination of leftover chicken, mayo, grapes, and tarragon became so popular that today we find chicken salad everywhere from diners to fine-dining establishments.
Where to Find the Best Chicken Salad Sandwiches
When the craving hits, here are seven restaurant chains where you can satisfy your chicken salad sandwich desires:
1. Panera Bread
Panera’s Napa Almond Chicken Salad Sandwich is a fan favorite across the country. This delightful creation features:
- Chicken raised without antibiotics
- Special dressing
- Diced celery
- Toasted almonds
- Sliced red grapes
All this goodness comes served on their amazing country rustic sourdough bread with tomatoes and mixed greens. At 640 calories per sandwich, it’s a substantial meal that delivers on flavor.
2. Chicken Salad Chick
When a restaurant names itself Chicken Salad Chick, you know they’re serious about their specialty! This chain offers an impressive 12 varieties of chicken salad on the menu.
Their “Classic Carol” is the traditional version – made with all-white meat shredded chicken, finely minced celery, mayonnaise, and their secret seasoning. But the options don’t stop there – they range from spicy to savory to fruity and nutty variations. With so many choices, you’ll never get bored!
3. Pret a Manger
Pret’s Chicken Salad & Avo Sandwich is a modern twist on the classic Their version includes
- Antibiotic-free grilled chicken
- Cage-free mayonnaise
- Sliced almonds
- Dried cranberries
- Whole grain mustard-mayo
What makes it special is the addition of sliced avocado and mesclun greens atop multigrain bread It’s a healthier take that doesn’t sacrifice flavor
4. Arby’s
Though it has limited availability at select locations, Arby’s Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich has developed a cult following. In fact, there are countless copycat recipes online from fans trying to recreate this fast-food delight.
Arby’s version includes diced chicken, pecans, apples, celery, and red grapes – creating a perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and sweet. At 840 calories, it’s definitely an indulgence, but fans insist it’s worth every bite.
5. Jason’s Deli
Health-conscious diners will appreciate Jason’s Deli approach to chicken salad. With over 250 locations nationwide, they pride themselves on wholesome ingredients free from:
- Processed MSG
- Artificial trans fats
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Artificial dyes and flavors
Their chicken salad stands out with the unique addition of almonds and pineapple – a tropical twist! You can order it plain or build your own sandwich. For the full experience, try their famous “Shelley’s Deli Chick” specialty sandwich, which combines their chicken salad with lettuce and tomato on a toasted croissant.
6. Honey Baked Ham Company
Don’t let the name fool you – this family-owned chain knows its way around chicken salad too! Their freshly made chicken salad comes served on a flaky croissant with lettuce and tomato.
This sandwich is so good that it even inspired an entire article in a Louisiana newspaper describing it as “traditional yet experimental” and likely to be added to your “shortlist of go-to lunch meals.” At 560 calories, it strikes a nice balance between indulgence and reasonable portion size.
7. Au Bon Pain
With nearly 200 locations around the country, Au Bon Pain offers both a chicken salad scoop and sandwich option. Their version features:
- Chicken
- Cranberries
- Toasted almonds
- Mayo
The scoop option is particularly nice for those watching carbs – it’s served with grape tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette atop field greens, coming in at just 280 calories.
Delivery Options When You Don’t Want to Leave Home
Sometimes you just don’t feel like going out. Good news – many delivery services can bring chicken salad sandwiches right to your door!
Services like Grubhub and DoorDash have dedicated sections for chicken salad sandwich delivery. You can easily find local restaurants and chains that offer this classic comfort food with just a few clicks or taps.
The convenience of modern food delivery means your chicken salad sandwich craving can be satisfied without ever changing out of your pajamas. What a time to be alive!
Making Your Own Chicken Salad Sandwich
If you’re feeling inspired by all these delicious options, why not try making your own at home? The basic formula is simple:
- Cooked chicken (rotisserie works great!)
- Mayonnaise
- Seasonings
- Mix-ins (celery, nuts, fruits, etc.)
- Your choice of bread
I personally love adding a bit of curry powder to my homemade chicken salad – it gives it that special something that keeps everyone asking for the recipe!
Why We Love Chicken Salad Sandwiches
There’s something magical about chicken salad that keeps us coming back. Maybe it’s the versatility – it works as a sandwich, wrap, on crackers, or straight from the container with a fork. Perhaps it’s the comfort food factor – creamy, familiar, and satisfying.
Whatever the reason, chicken salad has earned its place in American food culture. From its humble beginnings as a way to use leftover chicken to its current status as a menu staple, this simple creation continues to delight taste buds across the country.
Final Thoughts
Whether you prefer your chicken salad traditional or with creative twists, there’s a restaurant chain ready to serve up exactly what you’re craving. From Panera’s almond version to Arby’s pecan variety, each chain puts their unique spin on this classic dish.
Next time you’re wondering “where can I get a chicken salad sandwich?”, remember this list and treat yourself to one of these delicious options. Your taste buds will thank you!
And if you’ve never tried a chicken salad sandwich before (really?!), what are you waiting for? There’s a whole world of creamy, chickeny goodness out there just waiting to be discovered. Go on – take a bite!
How To Make Chicken Salad
- Chicken breasts: You can’t have amazing chicken salad without perfectly cooked chicken that’s seasoned, juicy, and relatively lean. Including dark meat in a chicken salad is common, but I think it can make the overall dish a little too soft and fatty. Instead, poaching breast meat in seasoned chicken broth is an easy way to guarantee that you wont be disappointed by dry, bland chicken. Choosing smaller breasts that will cook more evenly is key here. If youre a bit pressed for time, a rotisserie chicken is a great option too, but fight the urge to shred the chicken. Chopping the chicken into bite-sized pieces allows for more even distribution of ingredients.
- Chicken broth: You can use water here, but I definitely recommend chicken broth for the flavor it brings to the overall salad.
- Seasoned salt: Ditto here—regular works, but seasoned will take this over the top.
- Dressing: Mayonnaise is king for creamy salads, but it needs a little help to keep it from weighing everything down. Adding acid in the form of full-fat Greek yogurt, lemon, and Dijon mustard will help keep things rich yet light and bright.
- Mix-Ins: In my book, the only mandatory add-ins for chicken salad are celery for crunch, some kind of onion (I like red for the pop of color), and leafy herbs (I <3 dill and parsley). Other than that, this is the fun part! Go nuts… or grapes, or avocado, or whatever your heart desires. Toasted nuts like almonds or pecans will add an extra layer of texture, and fruit will add a pop of sweetness. I chose chopped dill pickles for my ultimate add-in because of the layer of crisp, briny salt they provide. Whatever you go with, be sure to chop them into pieces all around the same size so that they distribute evenly in each bite.
You’ll start by poaching your chicken breasts breasts by combining them in a pot with broth and salt, then bringing everything to a boil. You’ll be aiming for an internal temperature of 165°, which should take about 10 minutes. Use your meat thermometer if you’ve got one! Once your chicken is cooked through, set it aside and allow it to cool and rest for a few minutes.
Meanwhile, make your dressing by combining your yogurt, mayonnaise, parsley, dill, mustard, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a bowl and mixing until relatively smooth. You might be tempted to throw your crunchy mix-ins here too, but I found that it all mixes together better if you make the dressing first, then add the chicken to coat, and then add your mix-ins.
Once your chicken is cool, cut it into as uniform of cubes as you can manage, then add it to your dressing and stir everything together. Add whatever mix-ins you like, and stir to combine. Taste for seasonings (I usually have to add a good amount of salt here).
You can eat this right away, on its own or on a sandwich, but I usually like to get it into the fridge for a bit before enjoying to let the flavors meld together more. You do you!
Full list of ingredients and directions can be found in the recipe above.
What To Serve With Chicken Salad
- Pasta salad: Delish has plenty of beloved variations of this staple side dish, but this Italian-inspired recipe is my guaranteed go-to when I need a simple and reliable BBQ side.
- Potato salad: Similarly, this potato salad makes an appearance at almost all my summer cookouts because it’s creamy, just a touch tangy, and not too sweet (the worst!).
- Corn salad: I love corn in all its forms (mmm, elote), but there’s something particularly great about a simple corn salad. Like my chicken salad, this one is ripe for improvisation too.
Chicken salad is an ideal make-ahead recipe because it gets better as it sits. Make it a day or two ahead of time, then store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve. If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for around 3 days, and enjoy epic lunch sandwiches (and salads!) for days.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
- 2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (3 to 4)
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
- 2 Tbsp. seasoned salt (such as Lawry’s) or kosher salt, divided
- 1/3 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 Tbsp. plus 1 1/2 tsp. finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 Tbsp. grainy or smooth Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 2 celery ribs, finely chopped
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup finely chopped dill pickles (from about 2 spears)
- 3/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
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- Step 1 In a large pot over medium-high heat, combine chicken, broth, and 1 Tbsp. plus 1 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover pot, and cook until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Transfer chicken to a cutting board. Let rest 5 minutes.
- Step 2 Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir yogurt, mayonnaise, parsley, dill, mustard, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Step 3 Cut chicken into 1/4″ cubes and add to yogurt mixture, tossing to coat. Add celery, onion, pickles, pepper, and remaining 1 1/2 tsp. salt and mix until well combined.
How to Make Chicken Salad | Get Cookin’ | Allrecipes
FAQ
Does Arby’s have chicken salad sandwiches?
When you aren’t in the mood to whip up your own at home or stop by your local deli or diner, there are many restaurant chains that craft their own versions of the beloved invention. Fast-food chains Arby’s and Panera Bread used to serve chicken salad sandwiches, but alas, they are no longer gracing the menu.
Does Chick-fil-A still sell chicken salad sandwiches?
“Chicken Salad was previously available on the menu at participating Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide. Even though it’s no longer on the menu, we’d like to offer the recipe so you can make it in your own kitchen,” the Atlanta-based chain announced on its website.
Does Subway make a chicken salad sandwich?
Subway is marketing the sandwich as one of its low-fat options. A 6-inch chicken salad sub has 8 grams of fat.
Does Panera have chicken salad sandwiches?
Featuring our 100% Whole Wheat sliced bread topped with cracked wheat, this lemony chicken salad sandwich will be your next lunch go-to.