This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Waldorf salad meets chicken salad in this easy recipe for Waldorf Chicken salad. Tender chicken, crisp apples, sweet grapes, fresh celery, and toasted walnuts all marry together in a light and bright dressing that will leave you satisfied and nourished.
A Protein-Rich Spin on a Classic Waldorf Salad
For anyone wondering, the classic Waldorf Salad was named after the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel where it was first served in the late 1800s. It is traditionally made with grapes, walnuts, apples, and celery, and dressed with a mayonnaise-based dressing.
I put a my own spin on this classic by lightening it up and adding hearty, tender chunks of rotisserie chicken.
The result? A creamy, crunchy chicken salad filled with apples, walnuts, celery, grapes all tossed in a light dressing kissed with fresh lemon. So light, so fresh, and so filling! Whether stuffed into a wrap, served over greens, served as a sandwich, this Waldorf Chicken Salad will quickly become your go-to chickens salad recipe
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Recipe Highlights
Notes on Ingredients
- Chicken: Cooked and shredded or diced, such as leftover rotisserie chicken, baked chicken breasts, or Instant Pot shredded chicken breast.
- Apples: Use a firm, crisp apple such as Gala, Honey Crisp, or Granny Smith. Personally, I prefer sweet over tart apples in my chicken salad, but use what you like.
- Grapes: Use red grapes over green grapes for a pop of color and more concentrated, sweet flavor.
- Celery: For a classic crunch and burst of freshness. But if you do not care for celery in your chicken salad, omit it.
- Toasted Walnuts: For crunch and nutty undertones. Silvered almonds are a good substitute. Feel free to omit the nuts if needed/desired.
- Waldorf Chicken Salad Dressing: Made with a combination of mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, and salt and pepper, this lightened-up dressing is simple, bright, and marries the chicken salad together perfectly.
How to Make Chicken Waldorf Salad
This chicken salad with grapes and walnuts comes together in minutes, but if prepared 30 minute prior to serving. That will give time for the ingredients to marry together, enhancing the overall flavor.
- Toast Nuts. In order for the walnuts (or almonds) to have the best flavor, it is best to lightly toast them in a dry skillet over low heat for a minute or two. Remove from the heat and let cool while preparing the dressing for the chicken salad.
- Prepare Chicken Salad Dressing. In a large mixing bowl, whisk mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper together until well combined.
- Combine Salad. To the dressing, add the diced celery, chopped chicken, sliced grapes, diced apple, and chopped nuts and toss to combine.
Serving Suggestions
My favorite way to enjoy this chicken salad with grapes is to load it on thickly sliced honey wheat bread or cranberry walnut bread and top with green leaf lettuce. But this Waldorf Chicken Salad recipe is for more than sandwiches alone! Be inspired with the suggestions below.
- In a Croissant: Nothing quite like a chunky chicken salad served on a buttery croissant! Perfect for bridal or baby showers.
- Make a Wrap: Add a generous scoop of chicken salad to a spinach or flour tortilla topped with leafy lettuce for a portable wrap perfect for when you are on the go or a school lunch.
- Over Greens: Serve the chicken salad on top of greens for a filling, gluten-free salad.
- With Crackers: Scoop and devour! This chicken salad is delicious served with crackers, crostini, or chips.
More Easy Sandwich & Wrap Recipes
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Waldorf Chicken Salad
Ingredients
For the Chicken Salad
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- 2 cups cubed or shredded cooked chicken
- ½ cup minced celery
- 1 cup halved grapes
- 1 cup firm, sweet diced apples
For the Dressing
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 small lemon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, add the walnuts and toast for 2-3 minutes, tossing every 30 seconds. Remove from heat and allow to cool before chopping and adding to salad.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt, ⅓ cup mayonnaise, the juice of 1 small lemon, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Add the chicken, halved grapes, diced apples, minced celery, and the chopped toasted walnuts to the dressing and toss until everything is evenly combined and coated in the dressing.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve this chicken salad on a bed of lettuce, on a wrap, on crackers, or as a sandwich.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
So delicious! Thank you! What is the serving size on the nutrition facts?
Hi Jacqueline! I love hearing you enjoyed this chicken salad. Each serving is about 1 cup.
Excellent salad; both of us gobbled it up for dinner with some crackers. Much lighter than my ancient recipe from my mom, yet very filling. Love the addition of lemon juice! I am on my way to make it a second time....
I love that you enjoyed this so much!
I am sure that I am going to love your healthy salad recipes.
I love this salad, it's my go-to fast and easy lunch pick.
I love hearing you enjoy Diana!
My whole family loved this when I made it for brunch last weekend. Thank you for the recipe.
This is one of my FAVORITE lunches to make! Love to serve on lettuce cups!
I am so glad you enjoy Taylor!
My dad used to make Waldorf salad all the time when I was young. I love this lightened version.
I am so glad you enjoy this healthier version Kate!