Chicken Waldorf Salad is a refreshing and hearty twist on the classic Waldorf salad, originally created at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City in the late 1800s. This version incorporates tender chicken, crisp apples, celery, raisins, and walnuts, dressed in a creamy salad dressing, usually mayo-based, and served over a bed of spinach with shredded carrots for added color and crunch. It's a beloved recipe for potlucks, light lunches, or wholesome dinners due to its mix of textures and sweet-savory balance.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken (cubed, cooked)
- ½ cup apple (chopped )
- ½ cup celery (chopped )
- 2 tbsp raisins
- ¼ cup walnuts (chopped )
- ¼ cup salad dressing (mayonnaise or light mayo)
- spinach (fresh, for serving)
- carrots (shredded, for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Ingredients
- Chop the apple, celery, and cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Measure out raisins, walnuts, and salad dressing.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
- In a large bowl, mix together the chicken, apple, celery, raisins, and walnuts.
- Add the salad dressing and gently stir until evenly coated.
Step 3: Serve
- Serve on a bed of fresh spinach.
- Top with shredded carrots for garnish.
Tips
- Add grapes instead of raisins for a more classic Waldorf flavor.
- Swap mayonnaise-style salad dressing with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Add chopped pecans in place of walnuts for extra crunch.
- Mix in a splash of lemon juice to prevent apple browning.
- Serve inside lettuce cups for a low-carb option.
- Add diced celery leaves for extra aroma.
- Chill for 30 minutes before serving for better flavor melding.
- Use rotisserie chicken for added convenience.
- Add a sprinkle of cinnamon for a lightly sweet, vintage twist.
Nutrition
Calories: 305kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 20gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 2.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 350mgPotassium: 430mgFiber: 2.5gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg
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