If you're a fan of Chick-fil-A's Kale Crunch Salad, get ready for a treat! I've created the perfect copycat recipe that captures all the deliciousness of this simple and flavorful salad.
Navigating the menu at fast food restaurants for healthy options can be quite a challenge. The kale crunch side salad at Chick-fil-A however, is a refreshing departure from the usual fast-food fare.
Packed with curly kale, green cabbage, and crunchy roasted almonds tossed with a flavorful dressing, this delicious kale crunch salad is a superfood sensation that's easy to make and bursting with flavor. If you're trying to make an effort to eat a little better or just want to try something new, this salad is the perfect option to go with your chicken nuggets.
Once I tried this simple salad, I knew I had to try to recreate it at home. Made with just 3 simple good-for-you ingredients and a homemade apple cider dijon mustard dressing, this copycat Chick-fil-A kale crunch salad rivals the original.
Make a few small changes based on your personal preferences, and you'll have a delicious superfood salad that's perfect as a side dish or even as a satisfying main dish. It's a great option anytime you need a quick, healthy, and flavorful meal.
Try this crave-worthy Chick-fil-A kale crunch salad recipe and experience this fast-food favorite made right in your own kitchen!
Looking for more copycat recipes? Try my Chipotle corn salsa or Sweetgreen harvest bowl.
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Why You'll Love This Dish
- Superfood Goodness: Packed with nutrient-rich curly kale, green cabbage, and almonds, this delicious salad is a superfood sensation! Read my post all about the nutritional benefits of kale.
- Simple and Fresh: A simple recipe made with straightforward ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store.
- Homemade Flavor: Recreate the unmistakable taste of Chick-fil-A's kale crunch salad in the comfort of your kitchen.
- Customizable: Adjust the ingredients based on your personal preferences.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Prepare this salad in advance and store it for quick and healthy meals on the go.
Doctor's Tips
- It's easy to make homemade salad dressing! Plus, homemade dressing is healthier, fresher, and better tasting than store-bought dressing.
- When you make your own salad dressing, you have complete control over the ingredients you use. You can choose high-quality oils, such as olive oil or avocado oil, which provide beneficial unsaturated fats. You can also avoid additives, preservatives, excessive sodium, and artificial flavors or sweeteners commonly found in store-bought dressings.
Ingredients
Ingredient notes and substitutions. See recipe card at the end of the post for full recipe details.
- Fresh kale- Chick-fil-A uses curly kale in their salad; you can also use baby kale or Tuscan (lacinato) kale if you prefer.
- Cabbage-Chick-fil-A uses green cabbage but you can substitute Napa cabbage
- Almonds- I use roasted, salted whole almonds and chop them up to get them as close to the original; you can use sliced or slivered almonds
- Olive oil- the dressing has healthy fats from extra virgin olive oil
- Apple cider vinegar- adds the perfect amount of acidity to the vinaigrette
- Dijon mustard- acts as an emulsifier to hold the vinaigrette together
- Maple syrup- pure maple syrup adds the perfect amount of sweetness to balance out the vinegar; you can substitute honey
How To Make Copycat Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad Step-By-Step
See recipe card at the end of the post for full recipe details.
- Step 1- Wash and dry the kale. Remove the kale leaves from the stems and chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the cabbage.
- Step 2- In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, kosher salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Step 3- Place the kale in a large bowl and pour one or two tablespoons of the vinaigrette on top. Massage the dressing into the kale for 3-5 minutes. This will soften the leaves and make them more tender.
- Step 4- Add the cabbage and the rest of the vinaigrette to the bowl. Toss to combine everything well. Sprinkle the almonds on top of the salad. Your Chick-fil-A-inspired kale crunch salad is now ready to be enjoyed!
Chef's Tips
- The beauty of this copycat kale salad recipe is how customizable it is. You can add different ingredients to make it your own. See "Recipe Variations" section below for some ideas.
- Chick-fil-A's apple cider and dijon mustard vinaigrette recipe is sweeter than mine but I find 2 tablespoons of maple syrup to be the perfect amount. You can adjust the sweetness to taste.
- Turn this tasty side dish into a main dish by pairing it with a protein like grilled chicken or fish.
Recipe Variations
Feel free to get creative and tailor this Chick-fil-A kale crunch salad with your favorite ingredients. Here are a few ideas:
- Top your salad with grilled chicken, salmon or shrimp for a protein boost and turn this side salad into a meal.
- Mix in quinoa, farro or other healthy whole grain to transform it into a heartier dish. Or try my tasty kale and quinoa salad.
- Toss in some dried sour cherries or cranberries for a hint of sweetness.
- Experiment with different nuts (like walnuts or pecans) or seeds like sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds) for varied crunch.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta or goat cheese on top for a savory and creamy touch. Shredded cheese like cheddar would work well too.
- Incorporate fresh fruit into the salad like diced apple or pear.
- Slice up creamy avocado to add richness and a dose of healthy fats.
- Throw in some olives and cherry tomatoes for a Mediterranean twist.
Recipe FAQs
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
According to Chick-fil-A's website, their kale crunch salad features "a blend of curly kale and green cabbage tossed with an Apple Cider and Dijon Mustard vinaigrette, all topped off with salted, crunchy roasted almonds."
According to the nutrition facts listed on Chick-fil-A's website, the salad totals around 170 calories, 12 grams of fat (1.5g saturated fat), 13 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fiber.
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Recipe
Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad (Copycat Recipe)
Ingredients
Salad:
- 8 cups curly kale (1 bunch)
- 2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
- â…“ cup salted, roasted almonds, chopped
Apple Cider Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette:
- â…“ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (can substitute honey)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- â…› teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Wash and dry the kale. Remove the kale leaves from the stems and chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the cabbage.
- In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, kosher salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Place the kale in a large bowl and pour one or two tablespoons of the vinaigrette on top. Massage the dressing into the kale for 3-5 minutes. This will soften the leaves and make them more tender.
- Add the cabbage and the rest of the vinaigrette to the bowl. Toss to combine everything well. Sprinkle the almonds on top of the salad. Your Chick-fil-A-inspired kale crunch salad is now ready to be enjoyed!
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