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+ servings
wooden bowl of chicken salad on a bed of butter lettuce with a blue striped napkin and a wooden bowl of pecans
Servings: 4 Servings

Waldorf Chicken Salad

4.34 from 24 votes
Light and refreshing healthy Waldorf Chicken Salad with crunchy celery, crisp apples, sweet grapes and crunchy pecans makes for an amazing protein-forward lunch or dinner!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Additional Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts poached
  • 1 large apple cored and chopped*
  • 1 cup red seedless grapes halved
  • 3/4 cup celery finely chopped
  • ¼ cup raw pecans or walnuts
  • cup mayonnaise**
  • cup plain Greek Yogurt
  • 3/4 tsp sea salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

Poach the Chicken:

  • Bring a pot of water to a full boil and season liberally with sea salt.
  • Once the water is boiling, carefully place the chicken inside the pot and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove the pot from the heat, cover it with a lid, and allow the chicken to sit in the hot water for 15 to 20 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
    poached chicken breasts in a pot of water
  • To verify the chicken is cooked through, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breasts. 
  • Transfer the chicken breasts to an airtight container and refrigerate until they are completely chilled.

Make the Chicken Salad:

  • Once the chicken has cooled, chop the chicken into bite-sized chunks. Transfer the cooked chopped chicken to a large mixing bowl, along with the apple, grapes, celery, and pecans. 
    Chicken, apples, pecans, grapes, and celery in a mixing bowl.
  • Add the mayonnaise and Greek yogurt and stir well until everything is well coated in the creamy dressing.
    Ingredients for chicken salad in a red mixing bowl
  • Sprinkle sea salt and black pepper over the chicken salad, mix well, and taste before adding any more. Serve the Waldorf chicken salad over a bed of greens or make lettuce wraps using butter lettuce or greens of choice.
    horizontal wooden bowl of chicken salad with a golden spoon and a blue napkin.

Notes

*I use gala apples or fugi apples, but any of your favorite types of apples will work, such as granny smith apples.
**Avocado oil mayonnaise is my preference, but any brand will work.
Store any leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving (of 4), Calories: 371kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 21g, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 12g
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken waldorf salad, creamy chicken salad, healthy chicken salad recipe, healthy Waldorf chicken salad, waldorf chicken salad
Author: Julia