Waldorf Salad Recipe with the BEST Dressing!

This Waldorf Salad is my fresh, flavor-packed take on the classic American favorite that I CRAVE! It’s made heartier with chicken, lighter with a tangy dressing that combines mayonnaise and Greek yogurt, and more flavorful with fresh herbs for the perfect balance of sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy!

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top view of waldorf salad in a large white serving bowl

What is Waldorf Salad?

Waldorf Salad is a classic American salad with a surprisingly long history. It was first created in the late 19th century at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City (now the Waldorf Astoria), and quickly became a signature dish associated with the hotel. The original version was notably simple, built around apples, celery, and walnuts tossed in a creamy dressing. Over the years, the classic Waldorf Salad has evolved into countless variations, with additions such as grapes, chicken, and different nuts and dressings.

Today, Waldorf Salad remains a popular American favorite because its combination of crisp, fresh ingredients and creamy dressing makes it equally at home as a side dish, light lunch, or centerpiece for brunches, showers, and holiday gatherings.

Why This Waldorf Salad Recipe Works

I make this Chicken Waldorf Salad and my Jennifer Aniston Salad recipe the most for meal prep! Both my husband and I crave this salad! Here are a few reasons why you’ll love it too:

The BEST Dressing! I adapted the dressing from my popular Broccoli Salad that boasts herbs for complexity and a touch of red wine vinegar and sugar for dimension.
The dressing is creamy without being heavy. Mayonnaise provides classic Waldorf richness while Greek yogurt adds tang and lightens the dressing.
Chicken turns it into a complete meal. Using rotisserie chicken makes this recipe especially easy while adding substantial protein and flavor.
Two apples create better flavor and texture. A sweet apple such as Fuji or Honeycrisp provides juicy sweetness, while tart Granny Smith apples add brightness and keep the salad from tasting overly sweet.
Perfectly balanced proportions: Every ingredient is carefully proportioned so no single flavor or texture dominates, creating the ideal balance of sweet, savory, creamy, tangy, juicy, and crunchy in every bite.

top up close view of recipe for waldorf salad served in bibb lettuce

Waldorf Salad Ingredients

Let’s take a closer look at some key ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

For the Salad

Chicken: Use 1½ cups diced cooked chicken. Rotisserie chicken is my favorite shortcut, but leftover grilled or roasted chicken works beautifully.
Apples: Use one sweet, crisp apple such as Fuji or Honeycrisp plus one Granny Smith apple. Choose firm, crisp apples that hold their shape.
Red grapes: Halved red grapes add juicy sweetness and a pop of color.
Walnuts: Toasted and roughly chopped for rich, buttery crunch.
Celery: Diced celery adds the classic Waldorf crunch and a fresh, slightly savory flavor.

For the Waldorf Salad Dressing

Mayonnaise: Provides the creamy base and classic Waldorf flavor. Please don’t use Cool Whip.
Greek yogurt: Adds tang and makes the dressing lighter without sacrificing creaminess. Nonfat works great.
Red wine vinegar: Balances the sweetness and keeps the dressing bright.
Sugar: A small amount enhances the natural sweetness of the apples and grapes.
Parsley, chives, and dill: Add fresh herb flavor.

top view of waldorf salad ingredients: chicken, grapes, celery, apples, walnuts, mayonnaise, yogurt, parsley, dill, sugar, red wine vinegar

How to Make Waldorf Salad

Let’s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

Step 1: Make the dressing. Whisk together the ingredients in a small bowl.

showing how to make waldorf salad by whisking the dressing ingredients together of mayonnaise, yogurt, sugar, red wine vinegar, parsley, dill

Step 2: Prepare the salad ingredients. Add the diced chicken, chopped apples, halved grapes, toasted nuts, and diced celery to a large bowl.

showing how to make waldorf salad by adding the grapes, celery, chicken, apples, and walnuts to a bowl

Step 3. Add the dressing. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.

showing how to make waldorf salad by tossing it with the dressing

Tips for the Best Waldorf Salad

Keep the chicken bite-size: Dice the chicken into small, uniform pieces so it blends evenly throughout the salad.
Make it creamier: Add a dollop of mayonnaise, yogurt, or both after dressing if you prefer a creamier salad.
Taste before serving: Apples and grapes vary in sweetness, so taste the finished salad and adjust with a little more sugar for sweetness or red wine vinegar for tang.
Let it chill: Give the salad 30 minutes in the refrigerator before serving if possible. This allows the flavors to meld while keeping the fruit and vegetables crisp.

How to Keep Apples From Turning Brown

The red wine vinegar in the dressing helps slow browning once the apples are coated, so you don’t need to worry about them turning brown. For the best appearance, chop them last and toss them with the dressing promptly.

top view of American waldorf salad in a bowl

Can You Make Waldorf Salad Ahead of Time?

Yes! We love this Waldorf Salad as a convenient make-ahead lunch or side that you can make days ahead and refrigerate until serving. The nuts will soften over time, but still maintain some crunch. If you wish, you can keep the nuts separate and add them just before serving for the ultimate crunch.

Waldorf Salad Variations

•Make it vegetarian: Omit the chicken and serve as a classic-style Waldorf salad or add chickpeas for plant-based protein.
•Make it lighter: Replace more of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a tangier, lighter dressing.
•Change the nuts: Swap the walnuts for toasted pecans, almonds, or cashews. For a nut-free version, try toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for crunch.
•Add dried fruit: Stir in dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dates.
•Additions: Add halved strawberries, diced pear, mandarin oranges, or pomegranate arils.
•Add curry: Stir ½–1 teaspoon curry powder into the dressing for a flavorful curried chicken Waldorf salad.

How to Serve Waldorf Salad

One of the best things about this chicken Waldorf Salad is how versatile it is. Serve it:

•Over Bibb or butter lettuce: Spoon the creamy chicken salad into lettuce cups for a light, fresh meal.
•In croissants: This is one of my favorite ways to serve it! The buttery croissant is an excellent contrast to the crisp fruit and creamy filling.
•As a sandwich: Spoon into your favorite bread with crisp lettuce for an easy lunch. Also, another everyday favorite!
•Puff pastry cups: Spoon into baked puff pastry shells for an elegant brunch or shower appetizer.
•With crackers: Serve as a dip-style lunch, appetizer, or snack with sturdy crackers.
•Stuffed avocados: Spoon the salad into halved avocados for a creamy, protein-rich lunch.

What to Serve with Waldorf Salad

•Grilled proteins: Grilled chicken, salmon, steak, or pork.
•Grilled vegetables: For a summer meal, serve with grilled corn and/or grilled zucchini and a grilled protein for an easy backyard dinner.
•Soup: Tomato soup, broccoli cheese soup, creamy potato soup, etc.
•Quiche: A savory quiche, crustless quiche, or egg muffins make a lovely brunch or luncheon pairing, especially for showers and entertaining.
•Baked ham: The salty, savory flavor of baked ham pairs particularly well with the sweet apples and grapes in the salad.

HOW TO STORE Waldorf Salad Recipe

Store Waldorf Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it refrigerated and don’t leave the salad at room temperature for extended periods because of the chicken and mayonnaise-based dressing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Waldorf salad served cold?

Yes. Waldorf salad is traditionally served chilled or cold, making it an excellent make-ahead lunch or side dish.

Can you freeze Waldorf salad?

I don’t recommend freezing Waldorf salad. The mayonnaise-based dressing, apples, celery, and grapes can become watery or change texture after thawing.

Can I make Waldorf salad without mayonnaise?

Yes. Replace some or all of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or sour cream. The dressing will be lighter and tangier but still creamy.

up close of serving waldorf chicken salad recipe showing the texture with the chicken, apples, grapes, celery, and walnuts

Looking for more Chicken Salad Recipes?

Curry Chicken Salad
Avocado Chicken Salad
Chicken Caesar Salad
Grilled Chicken Salad
Chinese Chicken Salad
BBQ Chicken Salad
Greek Chicken Salad

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Total Time: 25

Prep Time: 25

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Ingredients

SALAD

1 1/2 cups chopped chicken (I like rotisserie)
1 sweet apple (fuji, Honeycrisp), unpeeled, chopped
1 Granny Smith apple, unpeeled, chopped
1 cup red grapes, halved
1 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
3/4 cup diced celery

Dressing

1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (nonfat works great)
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh parsley or 1 tsp dried
1/2 tablespoon fresh chives or ½ tsp dried
1/2 tablespoon fresh dill or ½ tsp dried
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Serving Suggestions

Sandwiches or croissants
Wraps with bibb or butter lettuce
Puff pastry cups
Dip for crackers

Instructions

Whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
Add the salad ingredients to a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to combine.
Adjust to taste with sugar for sweeter, red wine vinegar for tangier, or a scoop of yogurt or mayonnaise for creamier. Enjoy!