Chicken Waldorf Salad Sandwich

This Chicken Waldorf Salad Salad Sandwich is hearty, easy to make and perfect to customize. Great for a quick lunch!

Waldorf Salad

What is a Waldorf Salad?

A Waldorf Salad was created in the famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. The original Waldorf salad consists of simply apples and celery mixed with mayonnaise. An interesting concoction I know, but one that strangely works! Since the original recipe, Waldorf salad is more commonly recognized with the addition of grapes and walnuts too. In more recent times though the recipe has really grown legs, to the point where people are throwing in more extras and chucking it all in a sandwich… Crazy people 🤪

This version has traditional roots, but I’ve adapted it into a more ‘hearty’ version and packed in more flavour. Still very simple, just a little spruced up. Follow me…

Chicken Waldorf Salad

Chicken lends itself so beautifully to a Waldorf salad and can really transform it into more of a full meal than a side salad. A chicken Waldorf salad is also the perfect way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken.

What can I add to a Waldorf salad?

Alongside chicken and the 5 classic ingredients (apple, mayo, celery, walnuts, grapes) here’s what I like to add:

• Greek Yogurt – Instead of full mayonnaise, I like a 50/50 split of mayo and yogurt. Some recipes actually use full yogurt, but I prefer the combo with mayo.
• Dijon Mustard – This adds a gentle kick of heat and really brings the salad to life.
• White Pepper – I find white pepper works better in this context. Alongside the mustard it helps to add a bit of heat.
• Lemon Juice – Cuts through the richness and really livens up the salad. It also helps prevent the apples from browning!

Make ahead Chicken Waldorf salad

I HIGHLY recommend making the salad ahead of time. It’ll really help the flavours marry together. At first it may taste a little tangy, but when the sweetness of the fruit starts exchanging with the dressing, the flavours all balance out nicely.

How long does Chicken Waldorf Salad Last?

Completely dependent on how long you’ve had the rotisserie chicken leftover for. If the chicken was made fresh on the day, the salad will comfortably last another 2-3 days tightly covered in the fridge.

Process shots: add dressing ingredients to a bowl (photo 1), stir to combine (photo 2), dice chicken (photo 3), add fillings (photo 4), pour in dressing (photo 5), stir to combine (photo 6).

Chicken Waldorf Salad Sandwich

A chicken Waldorf salad is great, but what doesn’t taste even better slapped between 2 slices of bread?!

What Bread to use?

I like a wholemeal seeded loaf with this sandwich. The seeds go beautifully with the fruits in the salad. I tend not to toast the bread, but you can if you fancy.

Can I make the sandwich ahead of time?

Your best bet is to just make the salad ahead of time, then construct the sandwich when needed. The salad is quite ‘saucy’ so you don’t want it to seep into the bread as it rests.

Process shots: lay bread on chopping board and spread with butter (photo 1), add watercress (photo 2), add chicken salad and second slice of bread (photo 3).

What to serve with Chicken Waldorf Sandwich?

• Crisp/Chip Recommendation: I love Salt and Vinegar or Ready Salted flavour with this sandwich.
• Side Recommendation: Garlic Parmesan Fries pair beautifully with this sandwich!

Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this Chicken Waldorf Sandwich shall we?!

How to make a Chicken Waldorf Salad Sandwich (Full Recipe & Video)

Chicken Waldorf Salad Sandwich

This Chicken Waldorf Salad Salad Sandwich is hearty, easy to make and perfect to customize. Great for a quick lunch! Highly recommend making the salad in advance to develop the flavours.

5 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: lunch

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings (click & slide): 5 sandwiches

Calories per serving: 532kcal

Author: Chris

Cost per serving: £2.50 / $3

Equipment

• Small Mixing Bowl
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Spatula
• Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
• Cling Film

Ingredients

Chicken Waldorf Salad

• 2 packed cups / 300g Cooked/Leftover Rotisserie Chicken, diced into small cubes
• 3/4 cup / 135g Red or Black Seedless Grapes, halved or quartered
• 2/3 cup / 80g Walnuts, chopped (see notes)
• 2 ribs of Celery, finely diced
• 1 Apple, (red, golden delicious or half of both)

Dressing

• 1/2 cup / 120g Mayo
• 1/2 cup / 120g Greek Yogurt
• 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
• 1/2 Lemon, juice only
• 1/4 tsp EACH: Salt, White Pepper (or to taste)

Sandwich

• 10 medium slices of Seeded Bread
• 2-3 lightly packed cups Watercress, or salad/leaves of choice
• Butter, as needed

Instructions

• Dressing: In a small mixing bowl combine mayo, yogurt, mustard, lemon juice and salt & pepper. Place to one side.
• Salad: In a large mixing bowl add chicken and combine with grapes, apple, celery, walnuts and dressing. Stir to combine, then cover and store in the fridge to allow the flavours to develop (as long as you have time for).
• Sandwich: Spread 1 side of all your slices of bread with butter. Top half of them with a pinch of watercress, then top with Waldorf salad. Finish with buttered bread, slice in half the enjoy!

Quick Demo

Notes

a) Walnuts - You can toast the walnuts, which will add a light smoky flavour. Just lightly toast in a dry frying pan over low-medium heat until fragrant and very slightly charred, shaking frequently. 

b) Subs and Extras - You can sub the walnuts for Pecans. Crispy bacon is always welcome, as is very finely diced red onion or spring onion. Dried cranberries also go very nicely!

c) Calories - Assuming 2 tsp butter per sandwich. Calories for one sandwich:

Nutrition Facts

Chicken Waldorf Salad Sandwich

Amount Per Serving

Calories 532 Calories from Fat 307

% Daily Value*

Fat 34.11g52%

Saturated Fat 7.464g47%

Trans Fat 0.053g

Polyunsaturated Fat 17.339g

Monounsaturated Fat 7.542g

Cholesterol 72mg24%

Sodium 731mg32%

Potassium 511mg15%

Carbohydrates 32.81g11%

Fiber 3.5g15%

Sugar 11.19g12%

Protein 26.18g52%

Vitamin A 837IU17%

Vitamin C 12.2mg15%

Calcium 143mg14%

Iron 2.49mg14%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance. Please check out my FAQ Page for more info.

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