Waldorf Chicken Salad Recipe with Classic Crunch

Waldorf chicken salad combines classic ingredients with delightful textures that dance across your palate.

Crisp apples and crunchy walnuts create a harmonious blend of sweet and savory elements.

Fresh ingredients elevate this traditional dish beyond ordinary lunch fare.

Creamy mayonnaise serves as the silky foundation that ties every component together.

Bright celery adds remarkable depth and unexpected crunch to the mixture.

Light and refreshing, this salad offers a perfect balance of protein and freshness.

You’ll adore how quickly this recipe comes together with minimal preparation.

Classic Waldorf Chicken Salad with a Fresh, Crunchy Twist

• Crunch and Freshness Galore: The combination of crisp celery, juicy grapes, and crunchy walnuts delivers an incredible texture explosion that makes every bite exciting and satisfying.
• Quick and Easy Meal Magic: With simple ingredients and minimal cooking required, this chicken salad comes together in minutes, perfect for busy weekdays or last-minute lunch preparations.
• Versatile Flavor Fusion: The tangy lemon-mayo dressing perfectly balances the sweet apples and savory chicken, creating a harmonious blend that appeals to multiple taste preferences.
• No-Fuss Meal Prep Champion: Chilling the salad allows flavors to develop, making it an excellent make-ahead dish that tastes even better after resting in the refrigerator for a few hours.

Essential Ingredients for Waldorf Chicken Salad

• Chicken: Tender and juicy protein base, best when poached or roasted for maximum flavor and moistness.
• Walnuts: Crunchy protein addition that provides rich, nutty texture and healthy fats.

• Apple: Sweet and crisp fruit that adds brightness and signature Waldorf salad crunch, preferably using firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
• Celery: Provides refreshing crispness and classic Waldorf salad texture with subtle peppery undertones.
• Grapes: Sweet, juicy component that introduces bursts of natural sweetness and pleasant texture.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy binding ingredient that creates smooth, rich consistency for the salad.
• Lemon Juice: Adds tangy brightness and helps prevent apple browning.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance overall flavor profile.
• Lettuce Leaves: Fresh, crisp serving base that provides additional crunch and visual appeal.

How to Make Waldorf Chicken Salad the Classic Way

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Base

• Dice cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces
• Chop fresh apple into small cubes
• Halve grapes
• Slice celery into thin pieces
• Roughly chop walnuts

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, creating a colorful and textural foundation for the salad.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Fresh lemon juice
• Salt
• Black pepper

Blend until smooth and well-incorporated. The lemon juice prevents apple browning and adds a bright, zesty flavor.

Step 3: Mix and Marinate

Gently fold the creamy dressing into the chicken and fruit mixture, ensuring every ingredient is evenly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 60 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to dance and mingle, creating a more harmonious taste profile.

Step 4: Plate and Garnish

Select a crisp bed of lettuce leaves as your serving base. Spoon the chilled Waldorf chicken salad onto the lettuce. For an extra touch, sprinkle additional chopped walnuts on top or add a light garnish of fresh herbs if desired.

Serving Suggestion: Best enjoyed chilled as a light lunch or refreshing side dish.

Tips to Keep Your Chicken Salad Crisp and Flavorful

• Dice Chicken Carefully: Cut chicken into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure consistent texture and easy eating in every spoonful.
• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss apple chunks immediately in lemon juice to maintain their crisp, white appearance and prevent oxidation.
• Customize Crunch Factor: Toast walnuts lightly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and create an extra-satisfying crunch in the salad.
• Balance Dressing Density: Adjust mayonnaise quantity gradually to achieve your preferred creamy consistency without making the salad too wet or dry.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow ingredients to marinate and develop a more complex, integrated taste profile.

Proper Storage and Reheating for Waldorf Chicken Salad

• Refrigerate: Store the Waldorf chicken salad in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the salad chilled to maintain its fresh flavors and prevent bacterial growth.
• Separate Storage: Keep the lettuce leaves separate from the salad mixture to prevent wilting and maintain crispness. Add lettuce just before serving to preserve its texture and freshness.
• Gentle Reheating: Consume the salad cold for the best taste, as reheating may cause the mayonnaise to separate and the chicken to become dry. If needed, allow the salad to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to take off the chill.

Best Add-Ons to Serve with Waldorf Chicken Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enhance the salad's refreshing flavors with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. These light, zesty wines complement the tangy lemon and creamy mayonnaise perfectly.
• Serve Alongside Crusty Bread: Grab a rustic sourdough or whole grain baguette to add a delightful textural contrast. The bread's crunch balances the salad's creamy and soft ingredients wonderfully.
• Add Sparkling Citrus Mocktail: Create a bright, refreshing drink with sparkling water, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of honey. This non-alcoholic beverage echoes the salad's citrusy notes and provides a light, palate-cleansing accompaniment.
• Finish with Fruit Sorbet: Conclude the meal with a light lemon or green apple sorbet. Its clean, sharp flavor mirrors the salad's fruity elements and provides a cool, refreshing end to the dining experience.

Ways to Modernize the Classic Waldorf Chicken Salad

• Tropical Paradise Chicken Salad: Swap apples with diced mangoes and replace walnuts with toasted coconut flakes. Add a splash of orange juice to the dressing for a vibrant, island-inspired flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Salad: Incorporate diced cucumber, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh herbs like basil and mint. Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier dressing.
• Spicy Southwest Chicken Salad: Mix in roasted corn, black beans, and diced jalapeños. Use cilantro-lime dressing and swap walnuts for pepitas. Garnish with crushed tortilla chips for added crunch and zest.
• Apple-Curry Fusion Chicken Salad: Blend in mild curry powder to the dressing, add golden raisins, and sprinkle with sliced almonds. This variation brings a warm, aromatic twist to the classic recipe.

Classic Waldorf Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent chicken dances with crisp apples and crunchy walnuts in this timeless Waldorf chicken salad. Creamy mayonnaise and fresh herbs blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each delightful bite of this classic American picnic favorite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 cups (473 ml) chicken, cooked and diced
• ½ cup (60 g) walnuts, chopped

Fresh Produce:

• 1 apple, cored and chopped
• 1 cup (150 g) grapes, halved
• ½ cup (60 g) celery, thinly sliced
• Lettuce leaves, for serving

Dressing and Seasoning:

• ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing vessel, gently amalgamate diced roasted chicken with crisp apple cubes, succulent halved grapes, crunchy celery segments, and toasted walnut fragments to establish a vibrant and textural foundation.
2. Craft a silky dressing by whisking mayonnaise and freshly squeezed lemon juice until thoroughly integrated, incorporating subtle salt and pepper notes for balanced seasoning.
3. Drizzle the creamy dressing over the chicken and fruit medley, carefully folding ingredients to ensure harmonious coating and distribution of flavors.
4. Transfer the salad mixture into a sealed container and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for approximately 60-90 minutes, permitting the ingredients to harmonize and develop a more profound taste profile.
5. When ready to serve, arrange a delicate bed of crisp lettuce leaves on individual plates, generously spooning the chilled chicken salad atop the verdant greens.
6. Garnish with additional chopped walnuts or a light sprinkle of fresh herbs to enhance visual appeal and introduce an extra layer of aromatic complexity.

Notes

• Chill this zesty salad for at least an hour to let flavors dance and mingle, creating a harmonious taste experience.
• Lemon juice acts as a secret weapon, preventing apple browning while adding a bright, tangy punch that wakes up every bite.
• Toss ingredients gently to coat chicken and fruits with creamy dressing, ensuring each mouthful bursts with complementary textures and flavors.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg