Herein, a heterogeneous Pd catalyst was prepared by embedding Pd nanoparticles in a highly porous nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon (NMCs) synthesized by the ZIF-8 template. The as-prepared Pd/NMC catalyst was efficient and recyclable in mild catalytic hydrodechlorination of 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, showing superior performances to those of the activated carbon-supported Pd commercial catalysts.