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Waldorf salad is a timeless classic with fresh, crunchy ingredients. Tender chicken, tart apples, crisp celery and toasted walnuts come together in a tangy yogurt-based dressing for a salad that will have your taste buds dancing. Each component provides a unique combination of flavor and texture in every bite! It’s also the perfect Waldorf salad recipe for anyone looking for a lighter, mayonnaise-free option.

Table of contents
- Why You’ll Love This Yoghurt Waldorf Salad
- Ingredients for a Waldorf salad
- How to make Waldorf salad with chicken
- Tips for the best Waldorf salad recipe
- Popular replacements and additions
- What to serve with Waldorf apple salad
- How to store Waldorf lettuce
- frequently asked Questions
- More salad recipes:
- Waldorf Salad Recipe
This Waldorf Apple Salad is a well-known classic from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. Characterized by savory and sweet notes, it is usually served in a sandwich or on a leaf of greens. Over time, the Waldorf salad has become a popular choice for both casual and formal occasions, and with good reason. This salad has it all!
Why You’ll Love This Yoghurt Waldorf Salad
- Creamy without mayonnaise. Traditional Waldorf salad calls for mayonnaise, but we spiced things up a bit in this recipe. Instead, Greek yogurt takes center stage to create the perfectly creamy and healthy dressing.
- Quick and easy to prepare. This Waldorf salad is a no-fuss recipe. Just chop, mix and serve! It’s perfect for busy weekdays when you need a quick and filling meal.
- Balanced meal in one bowl. With protein from chicken and Greek yogurt, fiber from fruit, and healthy fats from walnuts, this salad has all the nutrients you need for a balanced meal. It’s healthy and filling!
- Customizable to taste. The best thing about this Waldorf salad is its adaptability. You can customize the ingredients to your liking, creating your very own salad!
Ingredients for a Waldorf salad
- Cooked Chicken Breast: This is the main source of protein in lettuce, making it filling and filling. It also adds a nice savory flavor to balance the sweetness of the fruit.
- Celery: Crunchy and refreshing celery gives the salad a wonderful crunch and a subtle touch of earthiness.
- Red grapes: Juicy red grapes add a touch of sweetness and a pleasant contrast of flavor and texture that balances the overall flavor of the salad.
- walnuts: Chopped walnuts give the salad a delicious crunch and nutty flavor. It also adds a complexity of flavor and texture, contrasting nicely with the softer ingredients.
- Green apple: A classic Waldorf salad isn’t complete without the refreshing acidity that a green apple brings. It’s crisp, flavorful and vibrant, perfectly balancing the sweetness of the grapes.
- Green lettuce: This is used primarily for serving and creates a wonderfully vibrant background that ties the creamy salad together.
- Dressing: A creamy Greek yogurt dressing with lemon zest, juice, and salt and pepper completes this salad recipe. Learn how to peel a lemon without bitterness.

How to make Waldorf salad with chicken
- In a large bowl, add yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt and pepper.
- Stir until everything is smooth and well mixed.
- Add diced chicken, celery, green apple, grapes and walnuts to the salad dressing.
- Fold in the ingredients for the Waldorf salad until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.

Tips for the best Waldorf salad recipe
- Use your favorite method of cooking chicken breasts. Oven baked chicken breasts and air fryers both work. Forgot to thaw the chicken? No problem – learn how to cook frozen chicken.
- Chill the salad before serving. Place the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will help the flavors blend together and provide better overall flavor and texture.
- Start with dry ingredients. Wash your fresh ingredients and dry them well to ensure there is no excess moisture.
- Consider different serving options. Serve on a bed of lettuce as suggested in this post, or have fun with it! You can put your Waldorf apple salad in salad wraps, make sandwiches or even serve it in individual glasses for an elegant and unique presentation.
Popular replacements and additions
- Roast the walnuts. For a deeper depth of flavor, toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant and golden brown. This really enhances the nutty flavor and takes this salad to the next level.
- Add a unique, shredded touch to the salad. The classic Waldorf salad features diced ingredients but has a different visual appeal — try shredded chicken, julienne apples, thin strips of celery, and grapes quartered lengthways.
- Swap grapes for raisins. This provides a nice toughness and a different texture than grapes. Raisins absorb the dressing well, absorbing the creamy and tangy flavors, making them a delicious addition to this salad.
- Try other nuts. Feel free to substitute toasted almonds, pecans, or pistachios for walnuts for a unique twist and taste.
- add cheese. A little diced cheddar cheese adds wonderful creaminess and a touch of savory flavor. You can also garnish it with freshly grated parmesan or feta cheese for the finishing touch.
What to serve with Waldorf apple salad

How to store Waldorf lettuce
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How long does Waldorf lettuce keep in the fridge?
If stored correctly, the avWaldorf salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. It’s important to note that the grapes and apples will begin to release natural juices, so the overall texture of the salad will change over time. Stir briefly and enjoy.
frequently asked Questions
Yes! You can make this salad and dressing up to 2 days ahead and store separately in the fridge. To serve, mix the salad ingredients with the yoghurt dressing and enjoy!
Absolutely! Choose lettuce with a large surface area that can withstand the lettuce’s moisture. Other great options include butter lettuce (Bibb lettuce), romaine lettuce, and red leaf lettuce.
Yes, this salad can be made vegan. Omit the chicken altogether, or substitute vegetarian protein alternatives like oven-baked tofu or chickpeas. Use non-dairy yogurt or vegan-friendly mayonnaise instead of Greek yogurt to make the dressing.
Surely! This would be a great way to use up leftover fried chicken. Cut it into cubes as best you can and mix with the other ingredients for the Waldorf salad.

Whether you’re looking for a refreshing salad for summer gatherings, a tasty addition to your everyday meals, or a nostalgic taste of culinary history, Waldorf Salad is a timeless choice you won’t regret! It’s quick, easy, and the recipe is easy to customize to suit your preferences. So next time you’re in the mood for something light but fulfilling, give this Waldorf Salad Recipe a try. You might just find your new favorite dish. Enjoy!
More salad recipes:
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In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken, celery, grapes, walnuts and apple and fold in until evenly coated.
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Serve on a bed of green leaf lettuce.
Tips:
- Before serving, chill the salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
- Use your favorite method to cook chicken breasts or use leftover roasted chicken.
Calories: 380kcal, Carbohydrates: 21G, Protein: 29G, Fat: 22G, Saturated Fatty Acids: 3G, Polyunsaturated fat: 14G, Monounsaturated fatty acids: 3G, trans fats: 0.003G, Cholesterol: 61mg, Sodium: 209mg, Potassium: 507mg, Fiber: 4G, Sugar: 13G, Vitamin A: 82IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 82mg, Iron: 2mg
The nutritional information given is an estimate. It depends on the cooking method and the ingredients used.