Waldorf Salad With Chicken
A creamy Waldorf chicken salad combining sweet apples, crunchy celery, raisins, and walnuts, perfect for a light lunch or party presentation with fresh garnish.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup apricot preserves
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped chives ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- pinch black pepper ⓘ
- 1 pound cubed cooked chicken ⓘ
- 1 red apple, cut into 1/2-inch pieces with skin left on ⓘ
- 1 green apple, cut into 1/2-inch pieces with skin left on ⓘ
- 2 celery ribs, cut into 1/4-inch pieces ⓘ
- 1/4 cup raisins ⓘ
- 1/4 cup walnuts ⓘ
- lettuce for garnish ⓘ
- chopped parsley for garnish ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine apricot preserves, mayonnaise, chopped chives, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl.
- Blend well to create the dressing.
- Add cubed cooked chicken, apple pieces, celery, raisins, and walnuts to the dressing.
- Stir to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Arrange lettuce leaves on serving plates.
- Mound the salad onto the lettuce leaves.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist, consider using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter dressing. You can also substitute the chicken with leftover rotisserie chicken for convenience. If you're looking for a nut-free option, omit the walnuts and use sunflower seeds instead. Adding a touch of cinnamon can enhance the flavor profile and complement the apples beautifully.
Serving Suggestions
This Waldorf salad is perfect as a light lunch or dinner. It pairs wonderfully with a side of crusty bread or a bowl of soup, like Best Potato Soup, for a complete meal. For an elegant presentation, serve it on a bed of mixed greens and drizzle with additional lemon juice for a fresh finish.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Waldorf salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The salad may become slightly watery; stir well before serving. If you plan to keep it longer, consider storing the dressing separately and mixing it with the salad ingredients just before serving to maintain freshness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Waldorf Salad With Chicken contains roughly 790 calories, with 12g protein, 37g carbohydrates, and 72g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (111% of the Daily Value), iron (76% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (52% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 797mg per serving (35% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the salad a few hours in advance. However, it's best to add the apples and walnuts just before serving to prevent browning and maintain their crunch. The dressing can be prepared earlier and stored separately until you're ready to combine everything.
What type of chicken works best for this recipe?
Cooked rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken work best for this salad, as they provide great flavor and texture. You can also use leftover chicken from other dishes, like Helen'S Chicken Breasts, to save time in preparation.
Can I add other fruits or ingredients?
Absolutely! Feel free to add other fruits such as grapes or pears for additional sweetness. You can also incorporate nuts like pecans or almonds for a different crunch, or even substitute the celery with diced bell peppers for a colorful twist.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).