Simple, Healthy Waldorf Chicken Salad: The Perfect Salad This Time of Year
Looking for a healthy, delicious option for lunch or dinner? This low-calorie Waldorf chicken salad is packed with lean protein and fruit. The lightened-up honey mustard dressing adds a tangy kick without the extra calories. Each serving has 258 calories and 5 grams of fat. It's a fall/winter favorite that's sure to become your favorite!
Why You’ll Love My Simple, Healthy Waldorf Chicken Salad
A Simple, Healthy Waldorf Chicken Salad offers a delicious and nutritious option for those seeking a light and refreshing meal. Packed with fresh ingredients like apples, celery, and grapes, this salad provides a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The tangy dressing complements the sweet and crunchy elements, making it a satisfying and guilt-free choice. Whether enjoyed on its own or as a side dish, this Waldorf Chicken Salad is a perfect addition to any healthy meal plan.Ingredients for Simple, Healthy Waldorf Chicken Salad
Waldorf Chicken Salad is a classic dish that offers a delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and crunchy flavors. This recipe provides a healthier and lighter version of the traditional salad, perfect for those who are mindful of their calorie intake. Packed with fresh ingredients and essential nutrients, Waldorf Chicken Salad is a satisfying and refreshing option for a lunch or dinner.Ingredients:- Dressing:
- ½ cup light ranch dressing
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 teaspoons mustard (brown or yellow)
- Salad:
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
- 1 cup diced apple (unpeeled)
- 1 cup diced celery
- Optional: Chopped walnuts or almonds for added crunch
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, honey, and mustard to create a tangy and flavorful sauce.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, grapes, apple, and celery.
- Toss and serve: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly. Serve immediately or chill for later.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the chicken with chickpeas or tofu.
- Serve the salad on a bed of lettuce for a heartier meal.
- Add a sprinkle of chopped walnuts or almonds for extra crunch and texture.
- Experiment with different types of apples or grapes to vary the flavor profile.
- Chicken: Provides lean protein, essential for muscle repair and growth.
- Apples: Rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
- Grapes: Offer natural sweetness, antioxidants, and hydration.
- Celery: A low-calorie vegetable packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
- Ranch dressing: Provides a creamy texture and tangy flavor.
- Honey: Offers natural sweetness and potential health benefits.
- Mustard: Adds a touch of spice and helps to balance the flavors.
How to Make Simple, Healthy Waldorf Chicken Salad
Introduction:Waldorf Chicken Salad is a classic dish that offers a delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and crunchy flavors. This recipe provides a healthier and lighter version of the traditional salad, perfect for those who are mindful of their calorie intake. Packed with fresh ingredients and essential nutrients, Waldorf Chicken Salad is a satisfying and refreshing option for a lunch or dinner.Ingredients:- Dressing:
- ½ cup light ranch dressing
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 teaspoons mustard (brown or yellow)
- Salad:
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
- 1 cup diced apple (unpeeled)
- 1 cup diced celery
- Optional: Chopped walnuts or almonds for added crunch
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, honey, and mustard to create a tangy and flavorful sauce. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, grapes, apple, and celery.
- Toss and Serve: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- For a vegetarian option: Substitute the chicken with chickpeas or tofu.
- Serving suggestions: Enjoy the Waldorf Chicken Salad on its own, as a sandwich filling, or with a side of crackers or whole-grain bread.
- Variations: Experiment with different types of apples or grapes to vary the flavor profile. Add chopped walnuts or almonds for extra crunch and texture.
- Chicken: Provides a lean protein source, essential for muscle repair and growth.
- Apples: Rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, promoting digestive health and overall well-being.
- Grapes: Offer natural sweetness, antioxidants, and hydration.
- Celery: A low-calorie vegetable packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, contributing to a balanced meal.
- Ranch dressing: Provides a creamy texture and tangy flavor, while the light version used in this recipe helps to reduce calorie intake.
- Honey: Offers natural sweetness, antioxidants, and potential health benefits.
- Mustard: Adds a touch of spice and helps to balance the flavors in the salad.
Helpful Tips About this Recipe
Makes 4 servings. Each serving is about 1⅓ cups
Food Facts
The lovely Waldorf salad was first created by Oscar Tschirky, Maitre d’ at the Waldorf Hotel on Fifth Ave in New York. This magnificent hotel still exists and is called the Waldorf Astoria. The recipe is over 100 years old. The original salad was made of apples, celery, and mayonnaise. Today chopped walnuts, chicken or other fruits are sometime added. Serving Tips
This recipe makes about 5½ cups. Serve 1⅓ cups scooped on a bed of mixed greens or spinach or create chicken salad lettuce wraps. To make the lettuce wraps. Use one head of butter lettuce or romaine. Line each leaf with about ½ cup Waldorf chicken salad. Makes about 11 lettuce wraps.
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 2-Blue
WW SmartPoints 5-Green
The lovely Waldorf salad was first created by Oscar Tschirky, Maitre d’ at the Waldorf Hotel on Fifth Ave in New York. This magnificent hotel still exists and is called the Waldorf Astoria. The recipe is over 100 years old. The original salad was made of apples, celery, and mayonnaise. Today chopped walnuts, chicken or other fruits are sometime added. Serving Tips
This recipe makes about 5½ cups. Serve 1⅓ cups scooped on a bed of mixed greens or spinach or create chicken salad lettuce wraps. To make the lettuce wraps. Use one head of butter lettuce or romaine. Line each leaf with about ½ cup Waldorf chicken salad. Makes about 11 lettuce wraps.
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 2-Blue
WW SmartPoints 5-Green
| SKINNY FACTS: for 1⅓ cups serving 258 calories, 5g fat, 1g sat. fat, 91mg chol, 32g protein, 21g carbs, 2g fiber, 329g sodium, 16g sugar |
| FACTS: for Freestyle SmartPoints 51 calories, 0g sat. fat, 1g protein, 7g sugar |
Simple, Healthy Waldorf Chicken Salad: The Perfect Salad This Time of Year
Ingredients
Ingredients for Honey Mustard Dressing:
- ½ cup The BEST Skinny Ranch Dressing or store-bought light ranch dressing
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 teaspoons mustard or spicy brown mustard (not Dijon)
Ingredients for Waldorf Salad:
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped
- 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
- 1 cup apple, unpeeled and diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
Instructions
- To Make Dressing: Make the ranch dressing. In a small bowl, add ½ cup ranch dressing. Mix in honey and mustard. Refrigerate for at least ½ hour before using. Refrigerate the remaining ranch dressing for other uses. It will keep refrigerated for a few weeks.
- To Make Waldorf Salad: In a large bowl, add the chicken, grapes, apple, and celery. Pour in honey mustard dressing and toss well. Refrigerate until ready to serve. This salad will keep in the refrigerator for a few days.
- See serving tips below for ideas on how to serve this salad.
Nutrition
Serving: 1.33cupsCalories: 258kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 32gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 329mgFiber: 2gSugar: 16gBlue Smart Points: 2Green Smart Points: 5Plus Points: 6
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!