If you love Chick-fil-A’s Kale Crunch Salad, you’re in for a treat! I’ve made a copycat recipe that’s just as tasty. This salad stands out at Chick-fil-A. It’s a mix of curly kale, green cabbage, and crispy roasted almonds. It’s simple to make at home and packed with flavor. The salad uses just 3 ingredients and has a homemade apple cider dijon mustard dressing. This version is as good as Chick-fil-A’s and perfect for a quick, healthy meal.
Key Takeaways:
- Recreate the crave-worthy Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad at home with this copycat recipe.
- Made with curly kale, green cabbage, and roasted almonds, it’s a refreshing and flavorful superfood salad.
- The homemade apple cider dijon mustard dressing adds a tangy and sweet flavor to the salad.
- Customize the recipe with additional toppings and proteins for a personalized touch.
- Enjoy the salad as a side or make it a complete meal by adding grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp.
Ingredients and Substitutions for Chick Fil A Kale Salad
Making a Chick Fil A Kale Salad at home is simple. You only need a few important items. For a tasty and healthy salad, you’ll need:
- 8 cups of curly kale
- 2 cups of thinly sliced green cabbage
- 1/3 cup of chopped roasted almonds
You can make the salad your own by adding what you like. Here are some great ideas for extras and swaps:
| Additions | Substitutions |
|---|---|
| Grilled chicken | Quinoa |
| Dried sour cherries | Different nuts or seeds |
| Crumbled cheese | Fresh fruit |
| Avocado | Olives and cherry tomatoes |
Feel free to be creative with what you put in your salad. Whether you want more protein, crunch, or sweetness, you can change this Chick Fil A Kale Salad to match your taste.
Dressing for Chick Fil A Kale Salad
The dressing for the Chick Fil A Kale Salad mixes olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup or honey, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Gives a smooth, rich texture and boosts flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar: Brings a tangy, fresh taste, balancing the syrup’s sweetness.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a zesty kick and earthy tones.
- Maple syrup (or honey): Adds natural sweetness, softening the kale’s bitterness.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: These seasonings enhance and balance the flavor.
Just whisk these ingredients to make the dressing. This mix creates a tangy, sweet dressing that enhances the salad’s fresh kale and cabbage.
Pro Tip: For creamier dressing, blend the ingredients in a food processor or blender.
Massaging the Dressing into the Leaves
Drizzle the dressing on kale leaves. Then, massage the dressing in with your hands for a few minutes. This softens the kale, making it tender and tastier.
Massaging helps flavors soak into the leaves, boosting the salad’s taste. Don’t miss this step!
Adding Sliced Cabbage and Tossing Everything
Add thinly sliced green cabbage next. Then, pour the rest of the dressing on. Toss it all together with tongs or your hands. This coats everything evenly.
Kale, cabbage, and dressing mix creates a tasty flavor blend. The dressing’s tangy, sweet taste matches well with the kale’s earthiness and the cabbage’s crunch.
Storage and Shelf Life of Chick Fil A Kale Salad
After you make and enjoy your Chick Fil A Kale Salad, you might wonder about storing leftovers. Proper storage is crucial for keeping the salad tasty and fresh.
To keep the salad, put it in an airtight container. This stops air from getting in, which could make the greens wilt and lose moisture. The container also keeps other foods’ smells in your fridge from changing the salad’s taste.
When stored right in the fridge, this salad can last 3-5 days. The greens might wilt a bit, but it’ll still taste great. Just mix the salad well before you eat it to spread the dressing around.
Over time, the salad might not be as crisp because of the dressing’s moisture. But this doesn’t ruin the taste or health benefits. Just stir it up and enjoy.
By using these tips, you can have the Chick Fil A Kale Salad again without losing its goodness. Now, you can enjoy this tasty salad anytime you want!
Nutrition Facts of Chick Fil A Kale Salad
Are you searching for a tasty and healthy fast-food choice? The Chick Fil A Kale Salad is perfect. This superfood salad combines kale, cabbage, and almonds for a nutritious meal. Chick-fil-A’s website states the Kale Crunch Salad has about 170 calories per serving. It also has 12 grams of fat, 13 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fiber. This includes 1.5g of saturated fat.
Kale and cabbage give this salad tons of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Kale is rich in vitamin K and C. Cabbage adds vitamin B6 and folate to the mix. Almonds bring a crunchy texture and healthy fats to the salad.
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 170 |
| Fat | 12g |
| – Saturated Fat | 1.5g |
| Carbohydrates | 13g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Fiber | 4g |
The Chick Fil A Kale Salad has well-balanced nutrition, making it a fulfilling choice. You can enjoy it as a snack or a main meal. It’s a tasty and healthy pick any time.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Chick Fil A Kale Salad
To make the Chick Fil A Kale Salad, begin by cleaning the kale. Pat the kale dry after washing. Next, remove the stems and chop the leaves into small pieces. Also, thinly slice the cabbage.
Mix the dressing in a small bowl or mason jar. Pour some of the dressing over the kale. Then, massage the kale with your hands for a few minutes. This makes the kale tender and full of flavor.
Now, add the sliced cabbage and the remaining dressing to the kale. Toss it all together so everything is evenly coated. The mix of kale and cabbage offers a crunchy texture. The dressing brings a tangy sweetness that enhances the greens.
Next, top with chopped almonds. These almonds add a nice crunch and nutty taste to the salad.
Your Chick Fil A Kale Salad is ready to enjoy. It can be a side or a main dish. Try it with your favorite protein or by itself for a light meal.
The image shows the bright and flavorful Chick Fil A Kale Salad. Its fresh ingredients and lovely presentation make it great for any meal or event.
Serving Suggestions for Chick Fil A Kale Salad
The Chick Fil A Kale Salad can be enjoyed in many ways. It works great as a light side or a hearty main course. Here are tips to make this salad taste even better:
1. Add Protein:
For a full meal, add protein to the Chick Fil A Kale Salad. Try grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp. These add taste and nutrition, making the salad more filling.
2. Mix in Healthy Grains:
To make the salad more substantial, add some grains. Quinoa, brown rice, or farro are perfect. They boost the salad’s fiber and nutrient content.
3. Customize with Toppings:
Make your Chick Fil A Kale Salad your own with favorite toppings. Try cheese, fruits, avocado, or olives. It’s fun to experiment with different combinations.
“The Chick Fil A Kale Salad is a canvas for your culinary creativity. Feel free to mix and match ingredients, exploring various flavor combinations to suit your taste buds.” – The Foodie Physician
4. Enjoy Anytime:
This salad is great any time of the day. It’s suitable for lunch, dinner, or as a snack. It’s versatile and always satisfying.
These suggestions are just the beginning. Be creative and try different mixes to make the salad uniquely yours. Enjoy the fresh tastes and have a nourishing meal.
| Chick Fil A Kale Salad | Nutrition Facts |
|---|---|
| Calories | 170 |
| Fat | 12g (1.5g saturated fat) |
| Carbohydrates | 13g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Fiber | 4g |
More Tasty Recipes by The Foodie Physician
Did you like the Chick Fil A Kale Salad recipe? Check out The Foodie Physician’s website for more. Sonali Ruder offers a lot of healthy, tasty recipes. You can find something new to try at thefoodiephysician.com.
Looking for new meal ideas? The Foodie Physician’s site is full of them. You’ll find salads, soups, mains, and desserts. There’s something for every taste and occasion.
Explore their recipe collection. You will find many dishes, whether you’re into vegetarian food or meat. Dr. Ruder focuses on yummy, fresh, and healthy eating.
The Foodie Physician makes meals that are good for you and look great. They use nice photos and clear instructions. You can make their dishes for daily meals or special times. They help new and experienced cooks.
Expand Your Culinary Horizons
Find tasty recipes at The Foodie Physician’s website, like:
1. Avocado Caprese Salad
Enjoy a fresh Avocado Caprese Salad. It’s got avocados, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Dress it with balsamic glaze for extra taste.
2. Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken
Try this zesty Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken. It’s marinated in lemon and garlic for a juicy taste. Perfect with vegetables or salad.
3. Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart
This Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart is rich and yummy. It has a shortbread crust and chocolate ganache. The raspberries add a tartness.
Visit The Foodie Physician for more recipes. You’ll find great ideas for any meal. Each dish will delight your taste buds.
Conclusion
Now, you can make the famous Chick Fil A Kale Salad at home. It has curly kale, green cabbage, and roasted almonds. You’ll love the tangy apple cider Dijon mustard dressing. It’s perfect as a quick side or a main dish.
Making this salad is easy and lets you add what you like. Try adding grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp. Or mix in quinoa or other grains to fill you up more. You can play with different toppings too.
Why not try making this delicious Chick Fil A Kale Salad today? Impress everyone with its fresh taste and healthy ingredients. No more fast-food cravings. Make this tasty salad anytime you want, right at home.
