Waldorf Chicken Salad

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Waldorf Chicken Salad is cool, creamy, and packed with crisp apples, sweet grapes, and crunchy walnuts, all tossed in a lightened-up Greek yogurt dressing. Ready in just 10 minutes, it's the perfect balance of refreshing, satisfying, and a little bit fancy without any fuss.

229 CAL 14g CARBS 6g FAT 29g PROTEIN 2
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What is Chicken Waldorf Salad?

This classic American salad was originally created at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York in 1893. The original version was made with chicken breast, apples, celery, and mayonnaise. Over the years, grapes and walnuts were added as well. Since then, there have been tons of renditions of this salad, including versions with yogurt, red onion, poppy seeds, and more. Traditionally, it is served on a bed of greens or in a croissant.

Overhead view of ingredients for Waldorf chicken salad, including a bowl of shredded chicken in the center, surrounded by small bowls of grapes, celery, walnuts, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, green onions, lemon wedges, and seasonings, with an apple placed nearby.

Before You Get Started

  • Use cooked chicken: Using pre-cooked chicken makes this recipe super quick and easy! If you don't have any on hand, you can poach some, cube or shred it, and let it cool before using it in this recipe.
  • Go with a crisp apple: Something like Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp holds up well and adds a great crunch.
  • Toast the walnuts: A quick 2-minute toast in a dry skillet brings out a ton of flavor.
  • Don't skip the lemon juice: It balances the sweetness and keeps the apples from browning.
  • Chill it: If you've got time, a short fridge rest makes the flavors even better.

How to Prep Chicken for Waldorf Chicken Salad

If you don't have cooked chicken on hand, no worries! You can make some in just a few minutes. Here are three easy ways:

  • Poached Chicken (juicy & tender): Place chicken breasts in a pot and cover with water or chicken broth. Add a pinch of salt, a bay leaf, or garlic if you'd like extra flavor. Simmer gently (don't boil) for 12–15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through at 165°F. Let cool, then chop.
  • Baked Chicken (hands-off method): Preheat oven to 400°F. Brush chicken breasts lightly with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and bake for 20–25 minutes until done. Let cool before chopping.
  • Quick Skillet Chicken (fastest option): Heat a skillet with a little olive oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked.Rest a few minutes before chopping so it stays juicy.

Pro tip: If you're making chicken just for salads, cook a double batch! Having prepped chicken in the fridge makes quick lunches and weeknight dinners so much easier.

How to Make Waldorf Chicken Salad

Making chicken salad is so quick and easy! If you've got 10 minutes to spare, you can make this recipe:

1. Make the dressing.

In a large bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, light mayo, lemon juice, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.

2. Add everything else.

Toss in the chicken, chopped apple, halved grapes, celery, green onions, and walnuts. Stir to combine and taste for seasoning. Add more salt or pepper if needed.

Ways to Serve Waldorf Chicken Salad

There are so many ways to serve this delicious and healthy chicken salad.

  • Classic: Go the classic route and serve it over a bed of greens.
  • Sandwich or wrap: Turn it into a sandwich or a wrap with your favorite toasted bread, a hearty roll, or a low-carb wrap.
  • Make it an appetizer: For a fancy appetizer, serve it on slices of green apple, cucumber, or endive leaves.
  • Low-carb: Take things low-carb and serve this Waldorf salad in butter lettuce wraps.

Styled portrait shot of Waldorf chicken salad in a green bowl, featuring chunks of apple, grapes, celery, and chicken tossed in creamy dressing.

How to Meal Prep Chicken Waldorf Salad

This salad keeps well in the fridge, but there are a few tricks to ensure that it tastes great.

  • Grapes: Instead of chopping the grapes, keep them whole. Grapes tend to release liquid and get soft after a couple of days if they are halved. You could also pack the grapes separately or substitute raisins or dried cranberries.
  • Lemon juice: Before adding the apples, toss them with some lemon juice to keep them from browning.
  • Walnuts: Pack the walnuts separately so they maintain their crunch. You could also layer them on top so they aren't mixed into the salad.
  • Lettuce layering: If packing sandwiches or wraps, layer lettuce against the bread on both sides so that it doesn't get soggy. The lettuce creates a moisture barrier.

Recipe Ideas and Tips

Chicken salad is one of the most customizable meals to make, so use what you've got! Here are some of our favorite options:

  • Without mayo: For a mayo-free version, use all Greek yogurt instead. If it is still too tangy, use whole milk yogurt and add some sour cream to mellow it out.
  • With cranberries: Use dried cranberries or raisins instead of grapes. This is a great trick if you are making this in advance.
  • Fresh herbs: Add flavor with fresh herbs like chopped chives, basil, parsley, or oregano.
  • Nut swap: Try out a different nut. Pecans, almonds, cashews, and pumpkin seeds are all delicious in this salad. Some people also like to add poppy seeds.
  • More onion flavor: Use red onions instead of milder green onions.

Storage & Leftovers

Keep chicken salad fresh in the fridge throughout the week and use the leftovers for meals or snacks!

  • Store: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Leftover ideas: Use it to top a grain bowl, mix with cold pasta for a quick salad, or pile it into a sandwich for lunch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about making a Waldorf Chicken Salad:

Rotisserie chicken is the fastest option, but grilled or poached chicken breast or chicken thighs work beautifully. Dark meat chicken is also delicious if you prefer something juicier. Just make sure the chicken is fully cooked and cooled before chopping.

 

Yes! This is a great make-ahead for meal prep, potlucks, or busy weeks. Just store in the fridge and enjoy all week long.

 

Yes! For a Whole30 version, replace the yogurt and mayonnaise with a Whole30-compliant mayonnaise. You could also substitute mashed avocado.

 

Yes! While fresh or rotisserie chicken gives the best flavor, canned chicken works in a pinch and still tastes great when mixed with all the fresh ingredients.

 

Green bowl with creamy dressing base, a spoon resting inside, surrounded by grapes, green onions, and walnuts.
The Recipe
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Waldorf Chicken Salad

229 CAL 14g CARBS 6g FAT 29g PROTEIN 2
PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 5 Min
TOTAL TIME: 10 Min
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 3 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped
  • 1/3 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp reduced fat mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 apple, chopped
  • 3/4 cup red grapes, halved
  • 1/4 cup celery, chopped
  • 2 tbsp green onions, chopped
  • 2 tbsp walnuts, chopped

Instructions

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1

Mix together the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Green bowl with creamy dressing base, a spoon resting inside, surrounded by grapes, green onions, and walnuts.
2

Add chicken, apples, grapes, celery, green onions, and walnuts. Taste and season as needed.

Bowl filled with salad ingredients before mixing — shredded chicken, diced apples, grapes, celery, walnuts, and sliced green onions arranged on top of creamy dressing.

Equipment

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Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 229
Calories from Fat 53
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 6g
9%
Saturated Fat 1g
6%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
0%
Cholesterol 89mg
30%
Sodium 407mg
18%
Total Carbohydrate 14g
4%
Dietary Fiber 1g
7%
Sugars 11g
Protein 29g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
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