Introduction

This Waldorf Chicken Pasta Salad is a fresh and creamy dish perfect for warm days or casual gatherings. Combining tender chicken, crisp celery, sweet grapes, and crunchy almonds with a rich mayonnaise dressing creates a delightful mix of textures and flavors.

A white bowl with a raised flower pattern is filled with a layered pasta salad. The bottom layer is light yellow bow-tie pasta with a smooth texture, mixed evenly with shredded white chicken. Scattered in the pasta are small green celery pieces and halved deep red grapes adding a fresh look. Light brown toasted almond slices are mixed in, adding crunch and detail. The entire dish is lightly speckled with black pepper. The bowl sits on a round wooden board with almonds and grapes in the blurry background on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
16 oz bow tie pasta
1 cup diced celery
3-4 green onions, chopped
2 cups real mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon coarse ground pepper
1 teaspoon dried parsley
2 cups red seedless grapes, halved
1 cup sliced almonds

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the chicken breasts in a large pot of salted water until fully cooked. Drain, let cool, then chop or shred the chicken.
Step 2: Cook the bow tie pasta until al dente, being careful not to overcook. Drain and set aside.
Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the chopped chicken, diced celery, and chopped green onions.
Step 4: Whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, coarse ground pepper, and dried parsley to make the dressing. Pour this over the chicken mixture and stir until evenly coated.
Step 5: Fold in the halved grapes, cooked pasta, and sliced almonds, mixing gently to distribute all ingredients evenly. Add extra cracked pepper on top if desired, then serve.

Tips & Variations

For a lighter version, substitute half of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
Toast the almonds briefly for extra crunch and a deeper flavor.
Add chopped apples for a classic Waldorf twist and additional sweetness.
Use rotisserie chicken to save time without sacrificing flavor.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir gently before serving again. This salad is best served chilled and can be enjoyed as a make-ahead meal. Avoid freezing as it may affect the texture of the mayonnaise and fresh ingredients.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with a colorful pasta salad is shown close up on a white marbled surface. The salad has three main layers: the base layer is light yellow bowtie pasta with a smooth texture, mixed with diced pale green celery pieces. On top of the pasta, there is shredded white chicken seasoned with small black pepper specks, giving it a slightly speckled look. Scattered throughout the salad are whole dark red grapes providing a smooth and glossy contrast. Thinly sliced, light brown toasted almonds add a crunchy texture on top. A woman's hand is holding a fork that is lifting some pasta, chicken, a grape, and celery pieces from the bowl. In the blurry background, some greenery and additional grapes are visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, any short pasta like penne, rotini, or shells will work well in this salad. Just cook until al dente and drain thoroughly.

Is it necessary to peel the grapes?

Peeling the grapes is not necessary. Halving seedless grapes ensures they mix evenly without overwhelming the salad with skin texture.

Waldorf Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 87 reviews

This Waldorf Chicken Pasta Salad is a refreshing and satisfying dish combining tender chicken, crisp celery, sweet red grapes, and crunchy almonds, all tossed in a creamy lemon-mayo dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a light lunch, this pasta salad offers a delightful contrast of textures and flavors inspired by the classic Waldorf salad with a hearty pasta twist.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Method: Boiling
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Pasta

16 oz bow tie pasta

Vegetables & Fruits

1 cup diced celery
3–4 green onions, chopped
2 cups red seedless grapes, halved

Dressing

2 cups real mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon coarse ground pepper
1 teaspoon dried parsley

Nuts

1 cup sliced almonds

Instructions

Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large pot filled with salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until the chicken is fully cooked through, about 12-15 minutes depending on size. Remove from water, drain, and allow to cool. Once cool, chop or shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Prepare the Pasta: While the chicken is cooling, cook the bow tie pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Avoid overcooking to maintain pasta texture. Drain the pasta and set aside to cool.
Combine Vegetables and Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped chicken, diced celery, and chopped green onions. This forms the hearty base of the salad.
Make the Dressing: In a separate container, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, coarse ground pepper, and dried parsley until smooth and creamy. Pour this dressing over the chicken and vegetable mixture, stirring thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
Finish the Salad: Gently fold in the halved red grapes, cooked pasta, and sliced almonds into the bowl. Mix carefully to distribute all components evenly without crushing the grapes. For extra flavor, top with additional cracked pepper if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente to avoid mushiness in the salad.
For extra crunch, toast the sliced almonds lightly before adding.
This salad can be made a few hours ahead and refrigerated to allow flavors to meld.
May substitute mayonnaise with a lighter dressing or yogurt for a lower-fat option.
Adjust lemon juice and pepper to taste for preferred acidity and spice level.

Keywords: Waldorf Chicken Pasta Salad, chicken pasta salad, bow tie pasta salad, creamy chicken salad, summer salad, picnic recipes