Waldorf Chicken Salad blends tender chicken with crisp apples, juicy grapes, and crunchy celery, all tossed in a creamy, lightly tangy dressing. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for sandwiches, lettuce wraps, or served on crackers.
Author’s Notes
The Chicken Salad I Grew Up On
I started a series called Mom’s Greatest Hits to share the recipes that raised me — the simple staples my mom made over and over. Chicken salad and tuna salad were staples in our fridge growing up, ready for quick lunches, sports snacks, or an easy dinner.
This Waldorf-style chicken salad is essentially how my mom made it: a creamy mix of chicken, apples, celery, grapes, and nuts. It’s comforting, bright, and one of my all-time favorites.
Waldorf Chicken Salad Ingredients
| Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|
| Chicken | Rotisserie chicken makes this quick, but any cooked, chopped chicken works well. |
| Apples & Grapes | Choose crisp apples (Honeycrisp recommended) and sweet red grapes. Quarter grapes for easy bites. |
| Celery & Green Onions | These add fresh crunch. Dice small so each bite has balance. |
| Mayo, Sour Cream & Apple Cider Vinegar | The mayo and sour cream create creaminess while apple cider vinegar and a touch of honey brighten the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning before tossing. |
| Walnuts | Toast walnuts briefly for extra flavor and crunch, or omit for a nut-free version. |
Chelsea’s Tip
Keep The Apples From Browning!
Soak diced apples in 2 cups room-temperature water with 1 teaspoon salt for 5–10 minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water, shake off excess moisture, and pat dry before adding to the salad.
What To Serve With Waldorf Chicken Salad
- Croissants or buttery rolls for sandwiches with lettuce
- Crackers or pita chips
- Fresh fruit like berries, grapes, or melon, or raw veggies with dip
- Potato chips or a simple pasta salad
- A light garden or Caesar salad on the side
More Quick & Easy Chicken Recipes:
Dinner
Rotisserie Chicken Stir-Fry
Dinner
Chicken Salad Wrap
Sandwiches
Chicken Caesar Sandwich
Dinner
Rotisserie Chicken Tacos
Waldorf Chicken Salad
Video
Equipment
-
Large bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced cooked chickenrotisserie preferred (chop finely)
- 1/2 cup diced walnuts
- 1/3 cup diced celery
- 2/3 cup finely diced applesHoneycrisp preferred
- 2/3 cup quartered red grapes
- 1/3 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1-1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1-1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
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Whisk the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth.
-
Combine the chicken, apples, grapes, celery, and walnuts in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning. If you prefer it creamier, add a little more mayo or sour cream.
-
Serve immediately in sandwiches, on sliced apples, in lettuce cups, or with crackers. Enjoy.
Recipe Notes
Note 2: To prevent apples from browning, soak diced apples in 2 cups room-temperature water with 1 teaspoon salt for 5–10 minutes, then drain, rinse, and pat dry before adding.
Note 3: Serve straight from the bowl, spoon onto mini croissants with lettuce, pile on toasted bread, or enjoy with crackers, pita chips, or raw veggies.
Storage: Best the same day. If preparing ahead, keep the dressing separate and combine just before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.