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Waldorf Chicken Salad is a delicious and easy recipe that’s perfect for lunch, a picnic, or any time you’re craving something fresh and tasty.
It’s called Waldorf Chicken Salad, and it’s a cool twist on the classic Waldorf that was first made in New York City at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
This version is even better because it has tender chicken and a super yummy pineapple yogurt dressing.
No weird mayo and fruit combo here, just lots of crunchy, sweet, and savory flavors that mix together perfectly.
This salad is great because it uses rotisserie chicken, which makes it super easy to put together. It’s also great because my daughter loves it, haha!
No joke, she actually devoured this stuff. I have to admit, I was pretty shocked. You know how little kids are. They look sideways at anything they’re not familiar with.
From the first bite, though, this became her favorite chicken salad. I can’t blame her! It’s got such great flavor. You’d be crazy not to love it.
The combination of crunchy walnuts, crisp apples, and sweet grapes makes this Waldorf chicken salad a dish that everyone loves!
Some of our other favorite chicken recipes we have on our site include: Chicken Salad with Grapes, Chicken Cobb Salad, and Italian Lemon Chicken Foil Packet.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Quick and Easy: Using leftover or rotisserie chicken saves time, making this a speedy meal prep option.
- Healthy and Satisfying: Lean protein from the chicken, plus fresh fruits and crisp celery, make it nutritious and filling.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Ideal for a simple family lunch, a fancy brunch, or as part of a get-together spread.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Rotisserie chicken
- Gala apple (or any crisp apple)
- Red grapes
- Celery
- Golden raisins
- Toasted walnuts
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Flat leaf parsley
- Crushed pineapple, with juice
- Kosher salt
- Scallion, green part
HOW TO MAKE WALDORF CHICKEN SALAD:
- In a large bowl, add all the chicken salad ingredients. Set aside.
- Whisk together all of the dressing ingredients until combined.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and mix until everything is coated.
- Cover and place in the fridge for at least one hour to chill. Serve immediately
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHAT IS WALDORF SALAD?
It’s a classic American salad served on a bed of lettuce. It originally included apples, celery, and mayonnaise.
Over the years, it has morphed into many different versions. It’s great for dinner, quick lunches, and everything in between!
DO I HAVE TO USE YOGURT?
Nope! The yogurt makes the dressing creamy without being too heavy, but you can customize it to your liking.
I’ve got some great ideas for you down below. You can decide for yourself which is the perfect way!
ANY ADDITIONS?
With tender chunks of chicken, this easy chicken salad recipe will have you drooling!
- Sliced red onion for a bit of sharpness
- Dijon mustard mixed into the dressing for extra zing
- Poppy seeds sprinkled on top for added texture
- Sliced green grapes for a color contrast
- A squeeze of lemon juice in the dressing for brightness
- Chopped fresh herbs like dill or chives
- Sliced chicken thighs instead of breast for more flavor
- Chopped pecans instead of walnuts
- A sprinkle of black pepper on top
- Dried cranberries for a different sweet note
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
Great recipes like this one can certainly stand for some substitutions. Let me know in the comments how it goes!
- Sour cream or light mayonnaise instead of Greek yogurt for the dressing
- Chicken breasts or chicken thighs if you don’t have rotisserie chicken
- Apple cider vinegar for a tangy dressing twist
- Sunflower seeds instead of walnuts for those with nut allergies
- Honey or a bit of sugar if you don’t have pineapple
- Whole wheat wraps or sandwich bread if you’re not into lettuce wraps
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Keep it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freezing is not recommended as it may change the texture of the fresh ingredients.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Chop the chicken and fruits into smaller pieces for easier eating.
- Toast the walnuts for extra flavor before adding them to the salad.
- Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld.
- Use a large mixing bowl to easily mix all the ingredients without making a mess.
- Try using a combination of Greek yogurt and mayo for a creamier dressing if you like.
- Serve the salad in different ways to keep things interesting: on a crisp bed of lettuce, as a hearty sandwich, or even wrapped in a tender lettuce cup.
Waldorf Chicken Salad is a yummy mix of flavors and textures that come together in the best possible way. It’s easy to make, full of nutritious ingredients, and versatile enough to fit into any meal plan.
Whether you’re making it for a quick lunch or serving it to friends at a gathering, this salad is sure to be a hit.
So why wait? Give this delicious salad a try, and enjoy the fresh, tangy, and crunchy goodness in every bite!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried this WALDORF CHICKEN SALAD, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Waldorf Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups medium-diced rotisserie chicken
- 1 gala apple (or crisp apple variety) small dice
- 1/2 cup red grapes cut in half
- 1/2 cup celery thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup golden raisins
- 1/2 cup toasted walnuts rough chop
Pineapple Yogurt Dressing
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons canned crushed pineapple, with juice
- 1 tablespoon flat leaf parsley minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 scallion, green part only thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add all the chicken salad ingredients. Set aside.2 cups medium-diced rotisserie chicken, 1 gala apple (or crisp apple variety), 1/2 cup red grapes, 1/2 cup celery, 1/4 cup golden raisins, 1/2 cup toasted walnuts
- Whisk together all of the dressing ingredients until combined.1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons canned crushed pineapple, with juice, 1 tablespoon flat leaf parsley, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 scallion, green part only
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and mix until everything is coated.
- Cover and place in the fridge for at least one hour to chill. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Chop the chicken and fruits into smaller pieces for easier eating.
- Toast the walnuts for extra flavor before adding them to the salad.
- Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld.
- Use a large mixing bowl to easily mix all the ingredients without making a mess.
- Try using a combination of Greek yogurt and mayo for a creamier dressing if you like.
- Serve the salad in different ways to keep things interesting: on a crisp bed of lettuce, as a hearty sandwich, or even wrapped in a tender lettuce cup.
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
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I looooove Waldorf chicken salad. That dressing for it sounds amazing, though – can’t wait to try it!
I love the idea of using this amazing dressing instead of mayo! Soo much better!