Whether you’re looking for easy lunches, a quick low carb meal, or you’re into meal prep, this Macro Friendly Waldorf Chicken Salad will quickly become your favorite way to satisfy hunger.

This delicious chicken salad harnesses the efficiency of canned chicken, without sacrificing the creamy texture we all love in traditional chicken salad recipes. The great recipe I’m sharing with you today is lean and offers that perfect balance of sweet and crunchy too.  

But what makes it macro friendly?

When a food item is considered macro-friendly, it generally means it is composed in a way that helps you meet your macronutrient needs in a balanced and healthful manner. Macronutrients, commonly referred to as macros, are the nutrients required by the body in large amounts, which include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Being “macro-friendly” could indicate that the food:

• Has a balanced amount of carbs, proteins, and fats.
• Is versatile and can be easily incorporated into different dietary regimens without overly skewing the balance of macronutrients.
• Is calorie-dense and provides nutritional benefit without excessive sugars or unhealthy fats.
• Can be portioned effectively to meet individual macro tracking goals, often relevant for those tracking their intake for body composition goals, such as fitness enthusiasts and athletes.

This recipe in particular is macro friendly because it is easy to modify the recipe ingredients to meet your macro goals whether you are following a low carb or regular macro day.

A macro-friendly food helps you nail your specific dietary targets based on your personal goals, whether that be weight loss, muscle gain, or maintenance of general health.

Macros

This recipe makes one large serving. It’s a lot of food. I like to have most for lunch and finish the rest as an afternoon snack. I serve with seed crackers, romaine leaves, celery, carrots or on Ezekiel bread!

Calories: 474 kcal

Carbohydrates: 22g

Protein: 36g

Fat: 29g

Fiber: 3g

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Ingredients:

• Canned chicken breast
• Crunchy celery
• Walnuts (toasted for the best flavor)
• Mayonnaise (light mayonnaise for a low-calorie option)
• Dijon mustard
• Fresh dill (or other fresh herbs for an aromatic twist)
• Green or red grapes
• Green apple
• Lemon juice, optional (for some zesty flair)
• Onion powder and garlic powder, optional (to spice things up)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Quickly drain the canned chicken breast. I find the Costco brand offers great quality, perfect as the main ingredient for this recipe.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken with 1.5 Tbsp of light mayonnaise, 1 tsp dijon mustard, 1/2 ounce of crushed toasted walnuts, 1/2 cup halved red grapes, and 1/2 cup of chopped crunchy celery, 1/4 cup chopped apple for that classic flavor profile.

Preparing Your Salad

When you’re finished mixing up this easy chicken salad recipe, store it in an airtight container in your fridge. It’s a super easy way to dig into a macro friendly meal throughout the week, especially if you’re looking to reach your macro goals on a low carb day. Serve this salad as lettuce wraps, which is not only a great option for a gluten-free dish but also keeps it low carb and fresh. 

And if you’re counting macros, here’s a healthy salad recipe tip for you: before digging in, measure the total gram weight of your serving to stay on track. If you’ve served yourself a 100g portion, simply enter 100 as the serving size when logging your meal.

The Best Things About This Chicken Salad

• Versatility: You can enjoy it on a bed of lettuce, stuffed in avocado halves, or as a filling for bell peppers.
• Convenience: It’s the perfect make-ahead lunch to enjoy throughout the week.
• Customization: Feel free to add hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, green onions, and fresh parsley to add more flavors and textures.
• Ease: If you want to use freshly poached chicken breast:  With the paddle attachment on your stand mixer, shredding chicken becomes effortless, giving you the creamy texture without much fuss.
• Nail Fat Macros:  If you follow the FASTer Way to Fat Loss you may notice, there are some days that fat macros may be difficult to reach.  This recipe will help you get there!
• Family Friendly: While it will help you reach your goals- your family will probably like it too! Check out this post for how to prepare macro friendly foods they all will love.

Above all, the best way to discover this great recipe is to try it yourself! Enjoy the process of mixing and matching, maybe even adding a bit of tangy buffalo sauce if you’re looking for that kick. 

Bonus: Looking for an easy chicken salad recipe that feels gourmet? Add a hint of poppy seeds and apple cider vinegar to the mix and experience a new take on a beloved classic!

Nutrition, flavor, and satisfaction – it’s all here in this Macro Friendly Waldorf Chicken Salad. Enjoy and happy healthy eating!

About Me

I’m Melanie.

I’m a chef, registered dietitian, foodie, wife and mom.
If you’re looking for quick and healthy meal inspiration that supports your health goals while feeding the rest of your family (including the kiddoes) well, then you’ve come to the right place!

I had 4 people ask me about the Sleepy Girl Mocktail within 5 days so I thought I should offer my two cents as a registered dietitian. This recipe has been making its rounds on social media, thanks to wellness influencer Gracie Norton and her popular TikTok video. It even had Good Morning America talking about it’s sleep-inducing properties! But what makes this viral drink potentially the perfect beverage to have before you go to bed? Lets break down how the beverage can improve sleep quality and add some zhuzh to your bedtime routine.  

Interested in a lower calorie version? Jump to the bottom for my version that is about half the calories of the original.

What you need to make the Sleepy Girl Mocktail

The main ingredients are : 

• pure tart cherry juice
• magnesium powder
• prebiotic soda – Olipop soda is a popular brand

Add a few ice cubes if you want it on the rocks.  

Jump to Recipe

Why does the combo work?

Tart cherries are a source of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle and promote deeper, more restful sleep. 

Magnesium plays a crucial role in the nervous system and has calming properties, making it a key ingredient for a good night’s sleep.  It helps regulate certain hormones including the stress hormone cortisol which has a positive impact for better sleep.  

While it’s not a magic potion, it does contain ingredients that have been shown to support a peaceful night’s sleep.  I think it’s clever because it’s one way to replace your evening alcoholic beverage without depriving yourself.

Melanie Marcus MA RD

Prebiotic soda provides a bubbly texture with a touch of prebiotics. It also promotes gut health and can offer relief from digestive discomforts.  

I think it’s clever because it’s one way to replace your evening alcoholic beverage without depriving yourself.  It feels a little more elevated than water and without the effects of alcohol.

Ingredients substitutions

Tart cherry juice: 

Well known for it’s melatonin content, tart cherry juice isn’t the only fruit that supports melatonin levels. Pineapple, banana, and grapes have also been observed to increase blood melatonin levels.  You can cut your tart cherry juice or replace it all together with pineapple or grape juice.  

Magnesium:  

If you’re worried about taking ta magnesium supplement, add a teaspoon or two of chia seeds.  Just 1 ounce has 95mg magnesium.  If you generally don’t tolerate magnesium well, you can try magnesium glycinate.  It is generally better tolerated and doesn’t result in upset stomach like other forms of magnesium.

Prebiotic soda: 

You can replace prebiotic soda with regular soda water. Don’t skimp on this because it needs a little fizz. If tonic water crosses your mind, remember, it will add calories, just like regular soda will. Could taste good though!

Does the type of magnesium matter?

Magnesium is available in several forms, each with different effects on the body. One of the most common forms, magnesium citrate, is  often used to treat constipation, and could lead digestive issues like diarrhea.  This happens when unabsorbed magnesium salts stimulate bowel movements by drawing water into the intestines and colon. If you want to avoid this, magnesium glycinate might be a better option since it’s more easily absorbed and as a result less likely to cause these troubles.

The average scoop of magnesium powder has about 200mg per scoop.  

That said, don’t forget that magnesium is widely available in natural food sources like nuts, beans, rice, seeds, and leafy greens. For example, chia seeds are a fantastic magnesium source, providing 111mg an impressive 26% of your daily value in just one ounce. Meanwhile, almonds and spinach are also rich in magnesium, offering nearly 20% of your daily recommended intake each. Incorporating these foods into your diet can help you reap the benefits of magnesium and avoid unwanted digestive complications that may come with certain magnesium supplements.

This drink may not be for you if:

Blood sugar is a concern

I want to start by saying that 100% juice does count as a serving of fruit.  Just 6 ounces once daily counts as a serving (not more!). That said, juice is a simple form of natural sugar and can result in increases in blood sugar if consumed without fat, fiber and protein.   

You are calorie conscious

If you are tracking macros or following a lower calorie diet, for example, consuming liquid calories and fruit juices in general may leave you with fewer calories to eat throughout the day.  One cup of tart cherry juice has 159 calories, 37g carbohydrate with 33g sugar, 1g protein, 1 g fat.  While it is packed with nutrients, liquid calories don’t register the same way in your stomach.  Plus that’s more calories than your average glass of wine or low calorie beer.  

Signs of too much magnesium

​Healthy people don’t have to worry about getting too much magnesium because excess is filtered and excreted by the kidneys.  Consult with your physician before adding this mocktail to your routine.  

That said, the the USDA established 350mg/day as a tolerable upper limit for magnesium for adults 19 years or older.  Taking more may result in abdominal cramping and diarrhea.  

Do I recommend the Sleepy Girl Mocktail?

While it’s not a magic potion, it does contain ingredients that have been shown to support a peaceful night’s sleep.  I think it’s clever because it’s one way to replace your evening alcoholic beverage without depriving yourself.  It feels a little more elevated than water and without the effects of alcohol.  If you’re already taking a magnesium supplement, this may be a combo to try.  Otherwise be sure to speak with you healthcare provider before adding a supplement to your routine.  

What other questions do you have about the sleepy girl mocktail trend? 

On a mocktail kick?

Check out this winter sangria recipe for a refreshing option. Or if you’re just into trending beverages, you won’t want to miss this blue cloud smoothie recipe. Check them out to be in the know!

Lightened up Sleepy Girl Mocktail

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Course Drinks

Servings 1

Calories 80 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 ounces Tart Cherry Juice
• 2 ounces Pineapple Juice
• 2 ounces club soda
• 1 tsp chia seed
• 1 scoop magnesium powder optional

Instructions

 

• Combine all ingredients in glass and mix well.
• Serve over ice if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 6ouncesCalories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gTrans Fat: 0.01gSodium: 18mgPotassium: 188mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

About Me

I’m Melanie.

I’m a chef, registered dietitian, foodie, wife and mom.
If you’re looking for quick and healthy meal inspiration that supports your health goals while feeding the rest of your family (including the kiddoes) well, then you’ve come to the right place!