Salads
Chicken Waldorf Salad
The classic Waldorf salad — crisp apples, celery and walnuts in a creamy dressing — gets a heartier, main-dish upgrade with the addition of diced chicken and halved grapes. It's an easy make-ahead lunch that stays fresh in the fridge for a few days.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Sweet-savory balance of apples, grapes and celery
- Hearty enough to be a full meal with chicken added
- Make-ahead friendly for lunches
- No cooking required if using pre-cooked chicken
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken, apples, celery, grapes and walnuts.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice and honey until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve over lettuce leaves, in a sandwich, or on its own, chilled.
How to tell it's done
The chicken is pre-cooked. For the best texture, use chicken that was cooked to 165°F (74°C) and not beyond. Poached or roasted breast, or rotisserie chicken, is ideal. Let the chicken cool completely before mixing, because warm chicken thins the mayonnaise dressing and shortens how long the salad keeps.
Tips for success
- Toss the diced apples in a little lemon juice before mixing to help slow browning.
- Toasting the walnuts briefly in a dry skillet deepens their flavor noticeably.
- This salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days, though the apples soften slightly over time.
- Rotisserie chicken works perfectly here and saves a cooking step.
Ingredient notes & swaps
- Apples: use crisp, sweet-tart varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji or Pink Lady. Avoid mealy apples like Red Delicious. Leave the peel on for color.
- Grapes: red grapes add color. Green grapes are tarter. Dried cranberries or chopped dates are good in the off-season.
- Walnuts: pecans work well. Toast either in a dry skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, shaking often, until fragrant.
- Dressing: the yogurt lightens it. For a richer, classic Waldorf, use all mayonnaise.
Storage & reheating
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Mayonnaise-based salads shouldn't sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour on a hot day. For the crunchiest nuts, store them separately and sprinkle them on just before serving.
Make ahead & freezing
Dice the chicken and celery and mix the dressing up to a day ahead. Add the apples, grapes and walnuts within a few hours of serving. Mayonnaise-based salads don't freeze.
What to serve with it
Serve it on a bed of butter lettuce, in a croissant, scooped into endive leaves for a party, or with crackers. A cup of butternut squash soup is good with it in the fall.
Frequently asked questions
What apples work best in Waldorf salad?
Crisp, slightly tart varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith hold their texture and add good contrast to the creamy dressing.
Can I make chicken Waldorf salad ahead?
Yes, it keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it a good make-ahead lunch option.
Can I use yogurt instead of mayonnaise entirely?
Yes, for a lighter version, replace all the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt; the flavor will be a bit tangier.
What can I serve chicken Waldorf salad with?
It's great on its own, over lettuce, stuffed into a croissant, or piled onto crackers.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 428 |
| Protein | 28g |
| Carbs | 20g |
| Fat | 27g |
| Sodium | 320mg |
| Sugar | 15g |
Nutrition values are estimates calculated from the ingredient list and will vary with the exact brands and portion sizes you use.
More in: Chicken Salad Recipes
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