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
- 1/2 cup walnuts toasted
- 2 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 1/2 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.
Thanks for this! I LOVE that there is no mayo!
Congratulations!
Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Enjoy your week and your new Red Plate!
Miz Helen
I served this at a lunch get-together, and everyone enjoyed it! It’s easy to prepare and beautiful on the plate. Thank you!
I’m so glad you liked it!
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!
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?!
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…
Dear Pam, I love a hearty salad like this….sounds absolutely perfect!! xo, Catherine
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.
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.