This Chicken Waldorf Salad recipe has been given a healthy make-over and is filled with texture and flavor. Made with tender chunks of chicken, apples, grapes, walnuts, celery, and a bright and tangy Greek yogurt dressing, this is a healthy, high-protein spin on a classic Chicken Salad inspired by a classic Waldorf salad.
While this chicken salad recipe can be eaten on a bed of lettuce, on crackers, or wrapped up in a homemade tortilla, my favorite way to enjoy this crunchy, creamy chicken salad is on thick slices of homemade wheat bread and enjoyed as a classic Chicken Salad Sandwich--with a bit more flavor and a whole lot more crunch!
In my book, chicken salad is meant to have grapes in it. I love the sweet contrast the grapes add to the hearty salad.
It wasn't until recently when I was inspired by a Waldorf salad, I decided to change up my Chicken Salad recipe and add in apples, celery, and walnuts. And WOW! This is a perfect chicken salad recipe.
Waldorf Salad came about at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 1893. This all-American salad recipe is traditionally made with diced apples, celery, grapes, and walnuts in a mayonnaise dressing.
I took the idea of the traditional salad and lightened it up with a Greek yogurt dressing in place of the heavy mayonnaise dressing. I also added chicken for a hearty dose of protein. The result is one creamy, crunchy, irresistible chicken salad recipe.
Key Ingredients
- Chicken--Use leftover rotisserie chicken or Instant Pot Chicken Breast. You can use shredded chicken, but I recommend dicing the chicken into cubes to match the sizes of the apples, grapes, and celery for a uniform bite.
- Apples--I prefer a sweet apple, like Gala or Honey Crisp, but Granny Smith apples work as well. There is no need to peel the apples. Simply wash well and add to the chicken salad. The skin adds color and nutrients to the chicken salad.
- Grapes--green or purple seedless grapes
- Celery--By all means, if you do not care for celery, you can omit. However, the tiny bit of crunch and burst of freshness that the celery adds really helps to complete the dish
- Toasted Walnuts--Feel free to omit nuts if you need a nut-free chicken salad recipe. Slivered almonds also work well in place of the walnuts in this chicken salad recipe.
- Greek Yogurt Dressing: Made with plain Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, and zest, and salt and pepper, this dressing is simple, bright, and light.
How To Make Chicken Salad
- In a large bowl, mix together the apples, chicken, celery, grapes, and walnuts.
- Mix together the Greek yogurt with lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt and pepper.
- Pour the Lemon Yogurt Dressing over the Waldorf salad ingredients and toss until evenly distributed.
- Refrigerate until serving. This salad is best after being refrigerated for 1-2 hours but can be served immediately.
More Healthy Lunch Recipes
Whether you are looking for a chicken salad recipe that is creamy, yet light, a chicken salad that is full of crunch and flavor, or just an easy recipe to enjoy leftover chicken, this Waldorf Chicken Salad recipe is one to try!
Waldorf Chicken Salad
Ingredients
For the Chicken Salad
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast cubed
- ½ cup celery thinly sliced
- 1 cup grapes halved
- 1 cup apples cubed
- ¼ cup toasted walnuts chopped
For the Yogurt Dressing
- 1 cup Greek yogurt plain
- 1 lemon juice and zest
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, add walnuts and toast for 2-3 minutes, tossing every 30 seconds. Remove from heat and allow to cool before chopping and adding to salad.
- Whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, and salt.
- Toss the chicken, celery, apples, grapes and walnuts together until evenly combined. Dress with the lemon dressing.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour before 24 hours before serving.
- Serve this chicken salad on a bed of lettuce, on a wrap, on crackers, or as a sandwich.
Notes
- Waldorf chicken salad will last for 2-4 days in the fridge. Chicken Waldorf salad does NOT freeze well.
- Feel free to omit the nuts, for a nut-free version of this recipe.
- Red or green grapes can be used or a mixture of both.
- For the apples, select a firm sweet or tart apple (based on your preference). Granny Smith, Gala, and Honey Crisp are all great options.
Nutrition
Taylor
This is one of my FAVORITE lunches to make! Love to serve on lettuce cups!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoy Taylor!
Kate Hackworthy
My dad used to make Waldorf salad all the time when I was young. I love this lightened version.
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoy this healthier version Kate!