Chicken Waldorf salad is a great way to twist a classic salad recipe. Pump up the protein with a mayo dressing, grapes, toasted walnuts and more!

If you have ever had the Waldorf salad you know how refreshing the flavors or with the crunchy roasted walnuts, crips apples, juicy grapes and the creamy dressing.

But, let’s take it a step further and add some protein packed chicken into the salad and make it a whole meal for the family or the next potluck or BBQ.

I added a few twist to the recipe to cut back on the fat in the mayo but to add a ton of extra flavor with the creamy dressing you’re used to.

This recipe can be whipped together in a little as 20 minutes, allow me to show you how.

How To Make Chicken Waldorf Salad

You’ll need these ingredients

Chicken
Celery
Apple
Grape
Walnut
Mayonnaise
Lemon
Non-fat Yogurt
Sugar
Salt & black pepper
Apple cider vinegar

A few tips before starting

For the chicken, you can simply buy a rotisserie chicken from the store or those packs of grilled chicken that are already cooked that people use for salads.
Most recipes use all mayo but to cut calories and make the dressing light I used half and half. But, if you really enjoy mayo the you can easily swap out the non-fat yogurt.

Making the chicken Waldorf salad

First, chop up the chicken into chunks. You can shred it if you want but chunks work best for a chicken Waldorf salad.
Next halve the grapes, dice up the apple of your choice and mince celery.
In a small bowl, make the dressing using the mayo, yogurt, squeezed lemon, sugar and apple cider vinegar.
In a large bowl, add chicken, grapes, celery and apple then pour over the dressing. Give everything a good mix then fold in the walnuts.
Lastly, salt to taste before serving.

Storing the leftovers

You can store this chicken Waldorf salad for about 2 days max due to the apples. They will oxidize and turn color but the taste should be fine. Technically, 3 days is better but some people don’t like eating oxidized fruit. Be sure to store in an airtight container, something with a lid or cover the bowl used with plastic wrap. This is not a recipe to be frozen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use another nut other than walnuts?

Yes, you can. Another popular nut used in this recipe is pecans but feel free to use your favorite.

What type of apple for this chicken Waldorf salad?

Any apple will do. In this recipe, I used my favorite which is honey crisp. However, I have had great success with the tartness of granny-smith apples as well.

What is a Waldorf salad dressing made of?

Traditionally, Waldorf salad is only mayo seasoned with salt and pepper. Not to say tradition isn’t a good thing but for this recipe I like something a little lighter in texture and stronger citrus notes rather than just straight mayonnaise.

Does Waldorf salad contain chicken?

The classic salad does not include chicken. The original ingredients are apple, celery and walnuts with a mayo dressing. The chicken adds a nice touch to the salad and a more filling component making the salad act as a full meal. Making a chicken Waldorf salad you don’t have just a side dish you have lunch for tomorrow.

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