This easy Chicken Waldorf Pasta Salad combines juicy rotisserie chicken, rotini pasta, crisp celery, almonds for crunch, and sweet grapes for a flavorful, texture-packed dish. It's perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or a healthy picnic salad everyone will love.

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Your New Favorite Pasta Salad

This salad is truly the best of both worlds. It takes the timeless flavors of a classic Waldorf salad and gives it a hearty twist with tender rotini pasta. Every bite is creamy, crunchy, and packed with texture, all mingling together in one delicious bowl.

The best part? It comes together in no time with the help of rotisserie chicken, so there's no need to cook anything extra. Just a few simple ingredients and a five-ingredient dressing---mix, toss, and enjoy. This Chicken Waldorf Pasta Salad is even better the next day, making it perfect for grab-and-go lunches, meal prep, or stealing the spotlight at your next potluck.

Key Ingredients

See the full list of ingredients with measurements in the recipe card below.

Pasta- This can be any medium shape pasta. We happen to enjoy rotini in pasta salads.
Cooked chicken- A rotisserie is convenient or use leftover chicken.
Grapes- Red or green, or if you prefer apples for sweetness.
Celery offers a nice crunch.
Dried cranberries are optional but have a subtle tart flavor that offers flavor balance.
Almonds- Or use your favorite seeds or nuts.
Dressing- Mayo, Plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper.

Ingredients displayed for Waldorf chicken pasta salad. Rotini pasta, cooked chicken, sliced almonds, green grapes, celery, green onions, dried cranberries, lemon, mayo, Greek yogurt, honey, parsley, salt and pepper.

Waldorf Salad History

The original Waldorf Salad dates back to the late 1800s and was first created at the famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Originally, it was a simple mix of crisp apples, celery, and mayonnaise. No nuts or chicken in sight! Over the years, the recipe evolved to include grapes, walnuts, and chicken in some recipes. Today, it's a classic favorite known for its refreshing balance of creamy, crisp, and fruity flavors. This pasta version gives it a hearty modern upgrade.

Easy To Make In Under 30-Minutes

Note: This can be made in under 30-minutes assuming you already have cooked chicken on hand.

Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Drain and rinse.
Assemble the salad ingredients in a bowl.
Make the dressing by combining together in a bowl until creamy.
Combine the salad ingredients with the dressing. Enjoy right away or store for later.

Ang's Helpful Tips

Don't overcook the pasta: Only cook the pasta until al dente so it holds it shape when assembling the salad. It will continue to soften.
Make It Lighter: Swap mayo for all Greek yogurt. The dressing will have a tangier flavor so you might need to adjust the sweetness and seasonings.
Add More Fresh Herbs: We use parsley but basil, tarragon, or mint would be a nice touch.
Meal Prep Friendly: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It makes a great grab-and-go lunch!
If The Pasta Salad Is Dry: The pasta absorbs a lot of the dressing when leftover. Stir in a splash of milk or a little extra mayo or yogurt to revive the creaminess.