Tender shredded chicken, crisp celery, juicy red and green grapes, crunchy apples, and toasted pecans tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing. This version is extra creamy and packed with the classic Waldorf flavors shown in your picture.

 Servings

6 servings

 Time

• Prep: 20 minutes
• Cook chicken: 15–20 minutes
• Chill: 30 minutes
• Total: about 1 hour

 Ingredients

For the salad

• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
• 1½ cups red grapes, halved
• 1 cup green grapes, halved
• 1 large crisp apple, diced
• 1 cup celery, thinly sliced
• ¾ cup pecans, roughly chopped
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced — optional

🥣 Creamy dressing

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder — optional

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken

Use cooked chicken breast or thighs. Shred or chop into bite-sized pieces.

Rotisserie chicken works especially well for this recipe.

2. Toast the pecans

Place the pecans in a dry skillet over medium-low heat.

Toast for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.

Remove from the pan and let them cool completely.

3. Prepare the fruit and vegetables

Halve the grapes.

Dice the apple into small bite-sized pieces and slice the celery.

Toss the diced apple with a little of the lemon juice to help prevent browning.

4. Make the dressing

Whisk together:

• Mayonnaise
• Greek yogurt
• Remaining lemon juice
• Honey
• Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Taste and adjust the seasoning.

5. Combine

Add the chicken, grapes, apple, celery, toasted pecans, parsley, and red onion to a large bowl.

Pour the dressing over the mixture.

Gently toss until everything is evenly coated.

6. Chill

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

The chilling time allows the flavors to blend and makes the salad extra refreshing.

7. Serve

Serve chilled over lettuce leaves, in a sandwich, inside a croissant, or simply in a bowl.

For the presentation in the photo, sprinkle a few whole toasted pecans and chopped parsley over the top.

---

⭐ Tips for the Best Waldorf Salad

• Use cold cooked chicken for the best texture.
• Choose crisp apples such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Granny Smith.
• Toast the pecans for deeper flavor.
• Don’t overmix after adding the grapes and apples.
• Start with about ¾ of the dressing and add more as needed.
• Chill before serving for the best flavor.
• For extra crunch, reserve some pecans and sprinkle them over individual portions just before serving.

🌰 ALL NUT INFORMATION

Nut used

Pecans — ¾ cup

Pecans are a tree nut and are an important ingredient in this version.

Other nuts

• Walnuts: ❌ Not required
• Almonds: ❌ Not required
• Cashews: ❌ Not required
• Pistachios: ❌ Not required
• Hazelnuts: ❌ Not required
• Macadamia nuts: ❌ Not required

Peanuts

❌ No peanuts are required.

Nut-free version

For a nut-free salad, replace the pecans with:

• Sunflower seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Roasted chickpeas
• Extra celery

If preparing for someone with a serious nut allergy, check packaged ingredients for allergen and cross-contact information.

---

🔄 Easy Variations

🍏 Apple & Cranberry

Add ⅓ cup dried cranberries for extra sweetness.

🍋 Lemon Herb

Add:

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• Extra parsley
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill

🥑 Avocado Chicken Waldorf

Add ½–1 diced avocado immediately before serving.

🥛 Lighter Version

Use ¾ cup Greek yogurt + ¼ cup mayonnaise instead of equal amounts.

🌿 Sugar-Free Version

Simply omit the honey and dried fruit. The grapes and apple still provide natural sweetness.

---

❓ Q&A

Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes! Remove the skin and bones, then shred or chop the chicken.

Q: Can I use only Greek yogurt?
Yes. Replace the mayonnaise with additional plain Greek yogurt. The dressing will be lighter and slightly tangier.

Q: Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?
Absolutely. Walnuts are a classic alternative and provide a slightly stronger nutty flavor.

Q: Can I leave out the nuts?
Yes. The salad will still be delicious. Add extra celery or sunflower seeds for crunch.

Q: What apples work best?
Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, and Pink Lady are excellent choices.

Q: Can I use only red grapes?
Yes. Using a combination of red and green grapes simply gives the salad more color.

Q: Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Refrigerate it for several hours before serving. For maximum crunch, add the toasted pecans shortly before serving.

Q: How long does it keep?
Keep covered in the refrigerator and use within 3–4 days, assuming the chicken was properly refrigerated before preparation.

Q: Can I freeze it?
Freezing isn’t recommended because the creamy dressing and fresh fruit can separate and become watery after thawing.

Q: Can I make it without sugar?
Yes. Omit the honey and any dried fruit. No added sugar is necessary.

Q: Is it gluten-free?
The ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free, but check packaged ingredients if preparing for someone with celiac disease or a gluten allergy.

Q: How can I make it extra creamy?
Add another 2–3 tablespoons of Greek yogurt or mayonnaise, depending on your preferred flavor.

🥬 Serving idea

For a beautiful lunch, spoon the chilled salad onto butter lettuce or romaine leaves, then top with whole pecans, halved grapes, freshly chopped parsley, and a little cracked black pepper.