Description
A classic and refreshing Waldorf Chicken Salad combining tender chicken, crunchy walnuts, crisp celery, sweet grapes, and apples, all tossed in a creamy Greek yogurt and mayonnaise dressing with a hint of lemon. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or served on a bed of lettuce.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cubed or shredded cooked chicken
- ½ cup minced celery
- 1 cup halved grapes
- 1 cup firm, sweet diced apples
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
Dressing Ingredients
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- Juice of 1 small lemon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Toast Nuts: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and add the walnuts. Toast them for 2-3 minutes, tossing every 30 seconds to ensure even toasting. Remove from the heat and allow the walnuts to cool before chopping.
- Prepare Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the plain Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, freshly squeezed lemon juice, kosher salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Toss Together Ingredients: Add the cooked chicken, halved grapes, diced apples, minced celery, and the cooled chopped toasted walnuts to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated and mixed thoroughly.
- Refrigerate: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
- Serve: Serve the Waldorf Chicken Salad chilled, on a bed of lettuce, in wraps, on crackers, or as a sandwich filling for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Notes
- To add extra crunch, you can substitute or add sliced celery seed or diced cucumber.
- For a lighter version, replace mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt.
- This salad holds well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days but is best enjoyed fresh.
- Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning; walnuts can become bitter if over-toasted.
- Use crisp and tart apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best flavor contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Waldorf chicken salad, chicken salad with walnuts, creamy chicken salad, quick chicken salad, healthy chicken salad, fruit and nut salad
