New-style Chicken Waldorf Salad

New-style Chicken Waldorf Salad Recipe from Belgium

Region / culture: Belgium | Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 18 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

This New-style Chicken Waldorf Salad is a modern twist on the classic Waldorf salad, featuring tender chicken strips, crisp celery, sweet apples, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. It's a refreshing and satisfying dish that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner.

History

The original Waldorf salad was created in the late 1800s at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. It was made with only apples, celery, and mayonnaise. Over the years, variations of the salad have been created, adding ingredients like chicken, nuts, and grapes. This new-style version of the salad adds a protein-packed twist with the addition of chicken strips.

Ingredients

1.25 lb (600 g) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
0.5 small onion, cut into quarters
5 whole black peppercorns
3 large ribs of celery
1 large granny smith apple
1 tbsp (15 ml) of fresh lemon juice
2 large heads of belgian endive, leaves separated
2 tbsp (30 ml) of olive oil
1.5 tbsp (22.5 ml) of white wine vinegar
0.5 tbsp (12.5 ml) of balsamic vinegar
1 small shallot, minced
0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) of dijon mustard
freshly ground pepper

How to prepare

In a large nonstick skillet, combine the chicken, onion, peppercorns, and enough cold water to cover.
Bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the chicken has cooked through, for about 15 to 18 minutes.
Drain and discard the onion and peppercorns.
Cut the chicken breasts crosswise into strips about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.
Set them aside.
Remove and discard any strips from the celery.
Cut each rib into thirds and julienne them.
Set them aside.
Quarter and core the apple, but do not peel it.
Thinly slice each quarter and place them in a large bowl.
Sprinkle them with lemon juice and set them aside.
Julienne the endive leaves.
Add them to the apple, along with the chicken strips and celery.
In a small glass measuring cup, whisk together the olive oil, vinegars, shallot, and mustard.
Drizzle the mixture over the chicken mixture.
Toss it well and arrange it on a large serving platter.
Sprinkle it with pepper to taste.
Serve it immediately.

Variations

Add toasted walnuts or pecans for added crunch.
Substitute the chicken with turkey or tofu for a vegetarian option.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to cook the chicken just until it is cooked through to avoid drying it out.

- Julienne the celery and endive for a more elegant presentation.

- The vinaigrette dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Serving Suggestions

This salad can be served on its own as a light meal or paired with a side of crusty bread or crackers.

Cooking Techniques

Simmer the chicken in water to keep it moist and tender.

- Whisk the vinaigrette dressing to emulsify it and ensure it coats the salad evenly.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use red or green grapes instead of apples for a different flavor profile.

- Substitute honey mustard for Dijon mustard for a sweeter dressing.

Make Ahead Tips

The vinaigrette dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. The salad ingredients can also be prepped in advance and assembled just before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange the salad on a bed of lettuce or spinach for a more colorful presentation. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives.

Pairing Recommendations

This salad pairs well with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light beer like a pilsner.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Do not freeze. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Calories: 250 per serving

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates: 15g per serving

Fats

Total Fat: 12g per serving

Saturated Fat: 2g per serving

Proteins

Protein: 25g per serving

Vitamins and minerals

This salad is a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and potassium.

Alergens

This recipe contains mustard.

Summary

This New-style Chicken Waldorf Salad is a balanced meal with a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It is also packed with essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

This New-style Chicken Waldorf Salad is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for a light meal or side dish. With its combination of tender chicken, crisp celery, sweet apples, and tangy vinaigrette dressing, it's sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Enjoy!

How did I get this recipe?

I recall the feeling of curiosity that overcame me when I found this recipe for New-style Chicken Waldorf Salad. It was a warm summer day, the sun shining brightly through the kitchen window as I rummaged through my old recipe box. As I sifted through the yellowed index cards and tattered scraps of paper, my eyes landed on a faded piece of parchment tucked away in the back of the box. The words "New-style Chicken Waldorf Salad" were scrawled across the top in elegant cursive handwriting.

I had heard of the classic Waldorf Salad before, with its crisp apples, crunchy celery, and sweet grapes tossed in a creamy dressing. But this new-style version caught my eye with its addition of tender chicken, toasted walnuts, and tangy cranberries. It was a modern twist on a timeless recipe, and I knew I had to give it a try.

As I read through the ingredients and instructions, memories flooded back to me of all the recipes I had collected over the years. Some were passed down from my own mother, while others were shared by friends and neighbors. Each one held a special place in my heart, a reminder of the joy and comfort that cooking brought to my life.

I remembered the first time I made my grandmother's famous meatloaf, the aroma of onions and garlic wafting through the kitchen as it baked in the oven. I recalled the laughter and chatter that filled the room as my children helped me make batches of chocolate chip cookies to share with their friends. And I thought back to the quiet moments spent alone in the kitchen, experimenting with new flavors and techniques, pushing myself to learn and grow as a cook.

But this recipe for New-style Chicken Waldorf Salad felt different somehow. It was a challenge, a departure from the familiar dishes I had mastered over the years. As I read through the list of ingredients – cooked chicken, crisp apples, crunchy celery, toasted walnuts, tangy cranberries, and a creamy dressing made with mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, and lemon juice – I felt a sense of anticipation building inside me. This salad had the potential to be something truly special, a dish that would delight and surprise all who tasted it.

I set to work gathering the ingredients, chopping the apples and celery, toasting the walnuts, and shredding the leftover roast chicken I had in the fridge. As I mixed together the creamy dressing, the tangy aroma of lemon and honey filled the air, mingling with the sweet scent of apples and cranberries. I tossed everything together in a large mixing bowl, the colors and textures blending harmoniously as I gently folded the ingredients together.

I took a small taste, savoring the flavors on my tongue. The crunch of the apples and celery contrasted beautifully with the tender chicken, while the walnuts added a rich, nutty flavor to each bite. The cranberries burst with tart sweetness, balancing out the creamy dressing perfectly. It was a symphony of flavors and textures, a dish that was as delicious as it was beautiful.

I served the New-style Chicken Waldorf Salad to my family that evening, watching with delight as their eyes widened with each forkful they took. The flavors were unlike anything they had tasted before, a perfect balance of sweet and savory, creamy and crunchy. They praised me for my creativity and skill, but I knew that the real credit belonged to the recipe itself, a hidden gem waiting to be discovered in my old recipe box.

As we sat around the table, sharing stories and laughter, I felt a sense of pride and satisfaction wash over me. Cooking had always been more than just a way to feed my family – it was a way to connect with them, to create memories and traditions that would last a lifetime. And this recipe for New-style Chicken Waldorf Salad was just another chapter in the story of my culinary journey, a testament to the joy and fulfillment that cooking brought to my life.

As the last of the salad disappeared from our plates, I made a mental note to add this recipe to my collection of favorites, a reminder of the day I discovered something new and exciting in my old recipe box. And as I leaned back in my chair, surrounded by the people I loved, I knew that there would always be more recipes to try, more flavors to explore, and more memories to create in the kitchen. And I couldn't wait to see where my culinary adventures would take me next.