Classic Chicken Waldorf Salad is made of a bunch of healthy ingredients tossed in mayo dressing. Some crunchy apples, fresh celery, nuts, chicken meat, and your salad is perfect for serving.
You have probably eaten a chicken salad before, but this is a special one. Some lean meat, green apples, grapes, fresh celery, and lemon juice create a perfect combination. And if you make homemade mayonnaise with olive oil, you have an ideal recipe.
I got acquainted with this simple and healthy salad not so many years ago. I got in love at once. This salad contains some of the beloved ingredients that I prefer to have in some of my salads.Â
One of the specific and indispensable ingredients in Waldorf salad is the celery stalks. Celery, I simply adore how it tastes and pairs with many ingredients. Grapes or apples – they add some healthy vitamins, aroma, and crunchies. And meat – I have used some chicken meat leftovers that I got in my fridge and simply added it to my salad. Â
This recipe is fast to make and is one of those dishes you want to serve on a late-night but don’t want to spend too much time making it. It is hearty, flavourful, intense, and colorful. I like such delicious and healthy salads that got quick together but leave a note of elegance and memory. My husband always asks me to make some new recipes. This thing motivates me and makes me experience it again and again.
What is a Waldorf Salad?
The Waldorf salad got its name after the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, where it was first served in 1896. From the beginning, Waldor salad contained only apples, celery, and mayonnaise. Lately, grapes, yogurt in sauce, chicken, or turkey have also become essential ingredients or very common in Waldorf salad. Today, we make this salad with chicken and with a dressing based on Greek yogurt and less mayonnaise to keep things a little lighter.
Waldorf salad is one of my favorite salads, probably because I really like the combination of fruits and nuts in salads. It is one of the classic famous salads known worldwide, just like Caesar Salad.
Even though this recipe dated back some hundred years ago, I have first tried it some years ago. I liked it, and know what? I made it at once at home for my friends and earned compliments and praise. All of them liked it and enjoyed it. This is my 100% satisfaction when I see my family or friends fond of what I am cooking and serving for them. No other words are needed!
What is a Waldorf salad made of?
What is a Waldorf salad made of?Waldorf salad does not require sophisticated ingredients. You can also easily customize it to your taste.
Chicken meat – this salad is a good alternative if you want to use some meat leftovers. In case you are preparing the salad from scratch, you can grab the grilled chicken. Also, a fast alternative is to boil some breast in salty water with some herbs. You can easily substitute chicken with turkey meat.
Celery stalks – brings a pleasant note of freshness to this salad and makes it so unique.
Apples and grapes – add an extra freshness and healthies to Waldorf salad. Try to use apples that do not brown too quickly when chopped. Here are some types of apples best for salads: Crispin, Grany Smith, Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, Envy, and Empire
Walnuts – or lately famous for their antioxidant properties – pecan nuts. As a small and final recommendation, for a softer but crispier texture and for easier digestion – soak nuts overnight.
Mayonnaise-based dressing – to make the salad healthier, I made homemade mayo. Also, for a lighter version, I combined it with Greek yogurt in ratio 1:1.
Some nutritious greens – sometimes for a light meal, I like to serve this salad over a bed of greens, like kale, spinach, lettuce, arugula.
How to make Waldorf Salad?
How to make Waldorf Salad?You can never go wrong with Waldorf salad. All you have to do is send all the ingredients in a large bowl, mix them well, then pour over some delicious mayonnaise-based dressing. Nothing easier – and as a result, ideal balance of nuttiness, sweetness, crunch, and taste.
So first, take care of the chicken meat. Grab those parts of the chicken you like the best and slice it into bite-sized pieces. Â
Dice grapes, apples, and celery stalks into bite-sized pieces (same size). To prevent browning apples, drizzle them with some drops of lemon juice.
 In a separate bowl, combine homemade mayonnaise, yogurt, and salt. Combine chopped ingredients in a large mixing bowl. And then gently fold the dressing into the salad.
For note: for tastier results, chill the Waldorf salad for about an hour in the fridge.Â
Mix in nuts ( pecan or walnuts) right before serving. Lay salad over a bed of greens.
Enjoy with pleasure this satisfying Waldorf salad!
Classic Chicken Waldorf Salad
Ingredients
- 1 chicken breast whole boneless and skinless
- 2 stalks of celery
- 1 apple
- 1/2 cup halved grapes
- 1/4 cup pecans
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 tsp salt
- lemon juice for drizzling apples
- 1 cup greens
Instructions
- Slice chicken breast into bite-sized pieces.
- Dice grapes, apples, and celery stalks into bite-sized pieces (same size). To prevent browning apples, drizzle them with some drops of lemon juice.
- In a separate bowl, combine homemade mayonnaise, yogurt, and salt.
- Combine chopped ingredients in a large mixing bowl. And then gently fold the dressing into the salad.
- Mix in nuts ( pecan or walnuts) right before serving. Lay salad over a bed of greens.
