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Waldorf Chicken Pasta Salad

A delicious combination of tender chicken, crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and creamy dressing tossed with pasta.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Picnic, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Chicken Ingredients
  • 2 cups rotini pasta or your favorite pasta
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, diced leftover roast chicken works great
Fruits and Veggies
  • 1 cup apples, diced try Granny Smith for a tart kick
  • 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped for some crunch
Nuts
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped or substitute with pecans
Dressing Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise Greek yogurt can be a lighter alternative
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice to brighten up the flavors
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish (Optional)
  • fresh herbs like parsley for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Begin by cooking the rotini pasta according to package instructions, making sure to salt the water for added flavor. Drain and let it cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the diced chicken, apples, walnuts, celery, and cooled pasta.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
  4. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, then let it chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes so the flavors can meld.
  6. Serve cold or at room temperature, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

Feel free to add your own spin to this salad, such as substituting chicken with turkey or adding dried cranberries.