Delicious Grilled Chicken Waldorf Salad with Zesty White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Discover an exquisite twist on a classic! This easy Grilled Chicken Waldorf Salad recipe delivers a symphony of fruity, sweet, savory, and utterly delicious flavors. Elevated with a homemade white balsamic vinaigrette dressing, it offers the perfect balance of zest and freshness. Whether served as a delightful main course for two or a vibrant side salad, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, with or without the chicken.
There’s something truly special about a gourmet salad that captivates both the eyes and the palate. Beyond its visual appeal, it’s the meticulous blend of sweet and savory elements, coupled with a perfectly crafted homemade dressing, that makes every bite an experience to savor. This Grilled Chicken Waldorf Salad epitomizes that gourmet ideal, transforming a familiar favorite into an unforgettable culinary delight.
While rooted in the beloved traditions of a classic Waldorf Salad, this recipe introduces an exciting and modern twist. You’ll find the comforting staples like crisp apples, sweet grapes, crunchy celery, and earthy walnuts, but we’ve ventured further. We’ve incorporated succulent pears, salty prosciutto, tender grilled chicken, and tangy blue cheese to create layers of complex flavors. The base is a delightful medley of three different types of lettuce, enhanced by the unexpected crunch of fresh broccoli florets. And instead of the traditional heavy mayonnaise-based dressing, this version is lightly adorned with a bright and tangy white balsamic vinaigrette, giving it a sophisticated and lighter profile. This inspired recipe comes from my talented friend, Haley, whose culinary intuition for combining ingredients is truly exceptional.
Perfectly Portioned: Dinner for Two?
Adjusting to cooking for fewer people can be a challenge, especially for those of us who are used to preparing meals for a larger household. As newly minted “empty nesters” this past fall, my husband and I have been navigating the art of cooking for two. While our youngest children are just an hour away at college and visit frequently, weeknights often feel like a culinary retraining session. It’s surprisingly difficult to scale down recipes! (Let’s just say we’ve been enjoying more meals out, and have become experts at tomato soup and grilled cheese, or delicious grilled turkey Havarti sandwiches!)
This salad quickly became a favorite because it’s packed with wholesome ingredients and is substantial enough to be a satisfying main course. No more “salad for dinner?!” comments from the hubby! This recipe yields two generous servings, ideal for a cozy dinner for two. Alternatively, it can easily be divided into smaller, elegant side salads when the kids are home, and I get to cook for eight people again, just like old times!
Why This Modern Waldorf Salad with Vinaigrette is a Must-Try
- Rich in Protein & Satisfying: This Waldorf salad isn’t just a side dish; it’s a complete meal. Featuring tender grilled chicken, carefully marinated in a classic brine for maximum juiciness and flavor, it’s an excellent source of lean protein. Additionally, crispy prosciutto and hearty walnuts contribute extra protein and a delightful texture, ensuring this salad is incredibly filling and satisfying for any meal of the day.
- Remarkably Versatile: One of the best aspects of this recipe is its adaptability. While delicious with chicken and prosciutto, it’s equally delightful when prepared meatless. Simply omit these ingredients for a vibrant vegetarian option. We frequently enjoy it both ways, making it a flexible choice for various dietary preferences or meal planning.
- Ideal for Intimate Dinners: Are you looking to prepare a well-rounded and delicious lunch or dinner specifically for two? This salad is perfectly balanced with fresh, wholesome ingredients, making it an ideal choice for a main course that’s both gourmet and satisfying, without excessive leftovers.
- Exceptional Side Dish: Beyond its role as a main, this colorful and flavorful salad makes an outstanding side dish. It complements a wide array of meals, from pasta and casseroles to fish and chicken. The star, of course, is the vibrant homemade white balsamic vinaigrette, which ties all the fresh components together beautifully, elevating any plate.
- Effortlessly Easy Preparation: Salads are celebrated for their simplicity, and this Waldorf salad is no exception. Once the chicken has undergone its brief brining period, the assembly is astonishingly quick—it comes together in mere minutes! Just a bit of chopping fresh produce and thoughtful assembly are all it takes to create this impressive dish.
Understanding the Waldorf Salad: Traditional vs. Our Modern Take
At its heart, a traditional Waldorf salad is a symphony of crisp, fresh ingredients: typically, a harmonious blend of grapes, crunchy nuts, crisp apples, crisp celery, and delicate lettuce, all gently coated in a creamy, often sweetened dressing, commonly made with mayonnaise or yogurt and a touch of sugar. It’s a timeless classic beloved for its refreshing texture and straightforward flavor profile.
Our rendition, however, takes this beloved classic and infuses it with additional dimensions of flavor and texture, creating a truly unique culinary experience that’s both savory and sweet. Imagine the familiar foundation of a Waldorf, but with an added burst of fruity sweetness from pears, a savory depth from prosciutto and grilled chicken, and the delightful tang of blue cheese. We’ve replaced the heavy, sweetened dressing with a light and zesty white balsamic vinaigrette, which brightens every component without overpowering it. This isn’t just a salad; it’s an elevated, flavorful twist on a classic, and we are confident you will absolutely adore this version!
Essential Salad Ingredients
Gathering fresh, high-quality ingredients is key to the success of this salad. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
Salt: Crucial for the chicken brine, which ensures the poultry remains incredibly moist and flavorful. Remember that different kosher salts can vary in their salinity, so adjust as needed.
Water: Five cups of water provide the perfect base for the brine, maintaining the ideal salt-to-water ratio for tender chicken.
Apple: Any crisp, flavorful apple will do! Varieties like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith add a wonderful sweetness and crunch. Choose your favorite to complement the other fruit.
Grapes: Halved red grapes infuse the salad with bursts of sweet, juicy fruitiness, contributing a delightful natural sweetness and vibrant color.
Pear: Fresh, tender pears introduce an additional layer of delicate, fresh fruit flavor. Anjou or Bartlett varieties are excellent choices; ensure they are ripe and exhibit a lovely yellow hue for optimal taste and texture.
Celery: Finely chopped fresh celery is indispensable for providing that signature crispy crunch and refreshing, slightly peppery flavor that contrasts beautifully with the fruit.
Broccoli: Chopped into small florets, broccoli adds a fantastic textural element and a boost of healthy greens, making the salad even more nutrient-dense and interesting.
Lettuce: We elevate the greens by using a dynamic combination of bib and romaine lettuce. Bib lettuce offers a buttery, tender texture, while romaine provides a crisp bite, creating a delightful textural contrast and fresh flavor profile.
Radicchio: This distinctive red leafy vegetable, similar to cabbage, offers a pleasant bitterness and a subtle spicy kick. It adds visual appeal and a bold flavor dimension, commonly featured in sophisticated Italian cuisine. It can also be grilled or roasted for other applications, but here, it’s served fresh for maximum zest.
Flavorful Toppings for Enhanced Taste and Texture
These toppings are carefully selected to add depth, crunch, and a gourmet touch to your Waldorf salad:
Walnuts: Toasting the walnuts beforehand is a simple step that intensifies their nutty flavor and enhances their crunch. If walnuts aren’t your preference, toasted pecans or almonds make excellent substitutes, offering similar delightful textures.
Blue Cheese: Crumbled blue cheese introduces a wonderfully pungent and tangy element that perfectly balances the sweetness of the fruits and the richness of the chicken. For a milder, creamy alternative, goat cheese crumbles also work exceptionally well.
Chicken: The star protein of our salad. You’ll need two chicken breasts (or a mix of breasts and thighs) which will be brined for ultimate moisture and then perfectly grilled, sliced, and added to the salad.
Prosciutto: Crispy, savory prosciutto slices add an incredible depth of flavor and a delightful textural contrast. Cooking it until it’s perfectly crisp ensures each bite offers that irresistible sweet and savory combination that makes this salad truly special.
Crafting the Zesty White Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
The homemade vinaigrette is what truly brings this salad to life, offering a light, bright, and tangy counterpoint to the rich ingredients:
Olive Oil: A high-quality olive oil forms the silky, robust base of our vinaigrette. Its rich flavor provides a fantastic foundation. Choose your favorite extra virgin olive oil for the best results.
Vinegar: A blend of white balsamic and regular white vinegar delivers a wonderfully tangy and bright flavor profile to the dressing. This combination ensures a vibrant acidity that cuts through the richness of the other ingredients.
Honey: Just a touch of honey is added to perfectly balance the acidity of the vinegars. It rounds out the flavors, preventing the dressing from being overly sweet or too sharp, creating a harmonious blend.
Shallots: Fresh, minced shallots contribute a delicate, aromatic fragrance and a nuanced flavor reminiscent of garlic, but with a milder, sweeter edge. They are essential for a gourmet dressing.
Mayonnaise: A small amount of mayonnaise is incorporated to give the vinaigrette a subtle creaminess, allowing it to beautifully coat every leaf and ingredient of the salad without being heavy.
Lemon: Fresh lemon juice and a hint of lemon zest are crucial for brightening the entire dressing, adding a burst of citrusy freshness that makes all the flavors shine.
Salt and Pepper: These fundamental seasonings are added to taste, allowing you to perfect the flavor profile of your vinaigrette. Adjust as needed for your personal preference.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Assemble This Gourmet Salad
Creating this Grilled Chicken Waldorf Salad is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Follow these easy steps to bring this flavorful dish to life. For precise measurements, be sure to refer to the comprehensive recipe card located at the bottom of this page.
Step 1: Brine the Chicken for Ultimate Tenderness
Begin by preparing your chicken. Place the raw chicken breasts (or a combination of breasts and thighs) into a salt and water brine. This essential step infuses the chicken with moisture and flavor, ensuring it cooks up incredibly tender and juicy. Use a resealable bag or a large, covered container. Once submerged, place it in the refrigerator and allow it to brine overnight for best results. This long soak is key to preventing dry chicken.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Zesty Vinaigrette Dressing
While the chicken brines, prepare the star of the dressing. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the white balsamic vinegar, honey, minced shallots, mayonnaise, white vinegar, fresh lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk these ingredients vigorously until well combined. Then, gradually and slowly stream in the olive oil while continuously whisking. This emulsification process creates a smooth, harmonious dressing. Once thoroughly mixed, cover the bowl and refrigerate the vinaigrette until you’re ready to dress the salad.
Step 3: Toast Walnuts and Crisp Prosciutto
Next, prepare your crunchy and savory toppings. In a skillet, gently toast the walnuts over medium heat until they become fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn them. In the same skillet (or a separate one), cook the prosciutto until it is wonderfully crispy. This adds a fantastic textural contrast and a rich, salty flavor to the salad. Once done, remove both from the pan and set them aside to cool slightly.
Step 4: Grill the Brined Chicken to Perfection
Now it’s time to cook the chicken. Remove the brined chicken breasts from the refrigerator and pat them dry. Grill the chicken over medium-high heat until its internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which you can accurately check with a reliable meat thermometer. Once cooked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing it into bite-sized pieces. Resting the chicken helps to redistribute the juices, keeping it extra tender.
Step 5: Combine the Fresh Greens and Fruits
In a large, spacious salad bowl, gently toss together the bib lettuce, romaine lettuce, and radicchio until they are evenly distributed. Then, add in the cubed apples, halved red grapes, delicate pear slices, crisp chopped celery, and vibrant broccoli florets. Give the salad another gentle toss to ensure all the fresh fruits and vegetables are beautifully mixed throughout the greens.
Step 6: Dress, Top, and Serve for Immediate Enjoyment
Finally, it’s time to bring everything together. Pour the prepared white balsamic vinaigrette over the mixed salad ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly until every component is lightly coated in the dressing. Divide the dressed salad onto individual plates or a large serving platter. Garnish generously with the toasted walnuts, crumbled blue cheese, crispy prosciutto, and the sliced grilled chicken. Serve this magnificent salad immediately to fully appreciate its fresh textures and vibrant flavors. Enjoy every delightful bite!
Love This Recipe? Be Sure to Pin It for Later!
Don’t let this incredible recipe slip away! Save this delicious Grilled Chicken Waldorf Salad for your next culinary adventure. It’s truly a versatile dish, perfectly suited for a leisurely brunch, a refreshing lunch, or an elegant dinner. Pin it now and have a fantastic meal idea ready whenever you need it!
The Intriguing Origins: Where Did Waldorf Salad Come From?
The famed Waldorf salad has a rich history, named after the iconic Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Its creation dates back to 1893 when it was first prepared for a charity ball hosted for St. Mary’s Hospital. The original rendition was a simpler affair, featuring a delightful combination of crisp apples, crunchy celery, and creamy mayonnaise. Over the years, walnuts and grapes became popular additions, solidifying its status as a culinary legend. This timeless classic has since circulated through countless kitchens worldwide, continually inspiring new interpretations, including our own modern twist.
Expert Tips & Clever Tricks for Your Chicken Waldorf Salad
- Optimal Storage for Leftovers: To maintain freshness and crispness, store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. For best results, it’s highly recommended to store the dressing separately from the salad greens. This prevents the greens from becoming soggy and ensures a fresh crunch with every serving.
- Alternative Chicken Cooking Methods: While grilling imparts a wonderful smoky flavor, if you don’t have a grill, or prefer another method, you can easily bake the chicken in the oven, cook it in a skillet, use an air fryer, or even an Instant Pot. This salad is also a brilliant way to utilize leftover cooked chicken or even holiday turkey, such as a delicious Smoked Turkey or Thanksgiving Turkey!
- Grape Variety Swaps: While red grapes add a beautiful color and sweetness, feel free to experiment with white (green) grapes for a slightly different flavor profile and aesthetic. Both varieties work beautifully in this salad.
- Prevent Overcooking the Chicken: The key to succulent grilled chicken is to avoid overcooking it. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches exactly 165°F (74°C) internal temperature, then remove it from the heat immediately. This guarantees tender, juicy chicken every time.
Explore More Delightful Salad Recipes
If you enjoyed this Grilled Chicken Waldorf Salad, you’re in for a treat! Here are more fantastic salad recipes to inspire your culinary adventures:
- Peach Basil Chicken Salad: A sweet and savory blend, perfect for summer.
- Cranberry Fluff Recipe with Marshmallows: A festive and delightful side.
- Easy Grape Clementine Salad: A refreshing and simple fruit salad.
- Summer Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Poppyseed Dressing: A vibrant, sweet, and tangy delight.
- Marinated Vegetables: Perfect for grilling or serving chilled.
- Easy French Vinaigrette Pasta Salad: A classic side dish with a zesty dressing.
- Green Salad with Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette: A simple yet elegant salad (like the famous one from Dante, in Omaha!).
- Pickled Beet Salad with Pears, Walnuts and Goat Cheese: A unique and sophisticated flavor combination.
Let’s get mixing and create this truly gorgeous salad! 
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Print Recipe
Grilled Chicken Waldorf Salad
Equipment
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Thermapen Mk4 Instant-read Thermometer
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Char-Broil 4-Burner Cart Style Liquid Propane Gas Grill
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Whisks for Cooking, 3 Pack Stainless Steel Whisk
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3 Piece Wooden Salad Set
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12-Piece Black Sharp Knife Set with Covers, Cutting Board and Sharpener
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
For the Chicken Brine:
- 1/4 cup salt
- 5 cups water
For the White Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 Tablespoon shallots minced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt & Pepper to taste
For the Salad:
- 1 apple cubed
- 1 cup red grapes halved
- 1 pear sliced
- 1/2 cup walnuts toasted
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbled
- 3 stalks celery chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped broccoli
- 1 small head bib lettuce
- 2 cups radicchio chopped
- 2 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 4-5 slices prosciutto cooked crispy
Instructions
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Place chicken in the brine, cover, and place in the refrigerator overnight.
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Mix up all of the vinaigrette ingredients except the olive oil with a whisk in a bowl. Slowly add in the olive oil, whisking constantly. Cover and store in the refrigerator.
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Toast the walnuts and crisp up the prosciutto in a skillet. Set aside.
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Remove chicken from the brine and grill it until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees with a meat thermometer. Slice.
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Toss the lettuces together in a large bowl. Add in fruits and veggies and toss once again.
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Add vinaigrette and toss again.
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Place dressed salad onto plates, top with cheese, toasted walnuts, crispy prosciutto, and grilled chicken.
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Serve immediately.