California Chicken Waldorf Salad

Waldorf salad is one of my all-time favorite combos: the crunchy apples, walnuts, celery, and lettuce are so fantastic together. I usually add roasted chicken for some protein. In this California version, I also added avocado, sunflower seeds, and red grapes.

Apples are in season now, so choose your favorite variety for your salad. Larriland Farm (in Howard County, Maryland) currently has 8 different varieties available for picking! Stayman is one of my top choices. I like a tart, crunchy, juicy apple--not too sweet, not too soft, and never mealy.

Romaine is an excellent choice for the lettuce in this salad, but you could also use spring mix, arugula, baby spinach, or your favorite greens.

Waldorf salad traditionally uses a creamy dressing. Mine is a combo of homemade mayo and yogurt in a 50/50 ratio. The tart yogurt is creamy but contains way less fat than the mayo. The dressing is refreshing and not too heavy. Add plenty of lemon juice to keep the apples from browning.

Ingredients:

1-2 TB homemade mayo (or store bought!)
1-2 TB whole milk yogurt
1 green onion, sliced
juice of 1/2 a lemon
pinch of salt and black pepper

Mix all above ingredients for the dressing in the bottom of a large salad bowl. Add:

1 small apple, chopped
10 red grapes
1 rib of celery, chopped
3 oz. roasted chicken breast, chopped
6 walnut halves, chopped

Toss above ingredients in the dressing. Add:

3 handfuls of salad greens

Toss greens with the chicken salad. Add:

1 teaspoon roasted sunflower seeds
1/2 an avocado, diced

Top with avocado and sprinkle with sunflower seeds. Eat immediately, if not sooner. ENJOY!