Inspired by the classic Waldorf salad this Brown Rice Chicken Waldorf Salad makes a healthy light lunch or dinner.
Chicken Waldorf Salad
The other day I was looking for something to do with some leftover rotisserie chicken. My grocery store always has them on sale on Fridays and I grab one because that is grocery shopping day. We usually eat the legs, thighs and wings that night and then the next day I try and figure out something to do with the breasts. Last week, I showed you a Barbecue Chicken, Bacon, and Cilantro Pizza. While that pizza was great, I was in the mood for something a little lighter. Actually I was in the mood for a Waldorf salad. A Waldorf salad is typically made of apples, celery, and walnuts with a mayo dressing served on a bed of lettuce.
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Chicken would give the salad more of a main dish feel and a grain would take it even further. I wanted to use spelt because I love it's chewiness, but I was out, so brown rice it was. Then to lighten it a little more I subbed a simple lemon juice vinaigrette instead of the mayo. This would have come together even quicker if I hadn't chosen brown rice, so if you are looking for something quicker, either regular rice, or already cooked brown rice, or even quinoa or couscous would do.
This made a terrific light lunch and there were plenty of leftovers for the next day's lunch. I didn't have any fresh parsley, but that would have probably been a good addition too.
Chicken Waldorf Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups brown rice cookded
- 2 apples cored and diced
- 3 stalks celery sliced
- 3 cups breast meat from a rotisserie chicken, diced
- ½ cup walnuts toasted
- 2 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Combine the rice, apples, celery, chicken, and walnuts in a large bowl. Place the lemon juice and olive oil in a lidded jar and shake to emulsify. Pour over the salad, season with salt and pepper and toss to coat evenly.
caren gittleman says
Thanks for this! I LOVE that there is no mayo!
Miz Helen says
Congratulations!
Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Enjoy your week and your new Red Plate!
Miz Helen
Juan says
I served this at a lunch get-together, and everyone enjoyed it! It's easy to prepare and beautiful on the plate. Thank you!
Pam Greer says
I'm so glad you liked it!
April J Harris says
Love that you used rice in your Waldorf Salad - it looks gorgeous! Sharing. Thank you for bringing this lovely recipe to the Hearth and Soul Hop, Pam!
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
I love Waldorf salad, great idea to add chicken, this sounds wonderful and so easy to make using a rotisserie chicken! Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend?!
Louise says
So that's why I have never find rotisserie chicken. You're the one scoffing it up!!!
This salad is a great way to revisit Waldorf Salad, Pam. It's a classic for a reason and with the chicken and brown rice, now brought into the 21st century!
Thanks for sharing, Pam...
Catherine says
Dear Pam, I love a hearty salad like this....sounds absolutely perfect!! xo, Catherine
Marjie says
Looks like a great meal! I'd chop up the walnuts to distribute the flavor, mostly because I don't like large chunks of nuts in my food.
Jackie Copeland says
Love using rotisserie chicken in so many recipes - such a delicious time-saver. I think we've been shopping at the same store - been swinging by there on Fridays myself.