Brilliant Homemade Chick fil a Kale Salad Recipe (Easy & Tasty!)

Do you ever get that longing for the wonderfully crisp and satisfying Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad, imagining how marvellous it would be to prepare it yourself? Maybe you’re on the hunt for a wholesome side that’s bursting with taste, or perhaps you’re a fan of recreating famous dishes that are every bit as good as the original. We understand completely! That distinctive blend of soft kale, crunchy toasted nuts, and a vibrant lemon dressing is certainly a winner.

If so, you’ve come to the right place! We’re genuinely excited to present our superb, simple-to-make take on this much-loved salad. Our comprehensive instructions will guide you through crafting this lovely dish, allowing you to enjoy that cherished Chick-fil-A experience at home. It’s more straightforward than you might imagine, and we’re confident you’ll find it equally scrumptious!

Why We Love This Chick-fil-A Kale Salad Recipe

We’ve fallen head over heels for this particular salad for numerous reasons, and we’re quite certain you will too. It’s not merely a salad; it’s an exuberant, tasty, and remarkably adaptable creation.

• It’s Wonderfully Wholesome: Kale stands out as a nutritional champion, brimming with vitamins A, K, and C, alongside beneficial antioxidants. This salad offers a delightful method to incorporate more greens into your diet.
• Remarkably Easy to Prepare: Even with its sophisticated flavour, this recipe requires only a handful of essential components and clear-cut instructions. Ideal for a speedy lunch or a nutritious accompaniment.
• Full of Flavour and Crunch: The blend of subtly sharp kale, the satisfying texture of toasted almonds, and the zesty, bright lemon vinaigrette produces a delightful medley of tastes and sensations that we find utterly irresistible.
• Adaptable to Your Liking: Although our goal is to emulate the original, this recipe also serves as an excellent foundation for your own kitchen experiments. We’ll offer some suggestions further down!
• Excellent for Meal Prepping: The elements can be readied in advance and put together just prior to serving, which makes it a fantastic choice for hectic weekdays.

Understanding the Key Ingredients for Our Chick-fil-A Kale Salad Recipe

For us to truly perfect this recipe, it’s beneficial to appreciate the function of each primary ingredient. The charm of this salad is rooted in its straightforward nature and the excellence of its components.

The Star: Kale

Naturally, kale is the centrepiece of this creation. We suggest opting for curly kale because its sturdy leaves cope well with the dressing and offer a delightful texture. Lacinato kale (sometimes called Tuscan or dinosaur kale) is another option, although its leaves are a bit smoother. The secret lies in its proper preparation: rinsing, drying meticulously, removing the tough stalks, and then cutting it into manageable portions. And please remember the vital step of massaging the kale – we’ll elaborate on its significance shortly!

The Crunch Factor: Roasted Nuts

The genuine Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad includes roasted almonds, lending a lovely nutty taste and a pleasing crunch. For authenticity, our recipe also uses almonds – either slivered or coarsely chopped. A light toasting significantly boosts their flavour. Should you have a nut allergy or fancy a change, toasted sunflower seeds or pepitas (pumpkin seeds) are viable alternatives, though they will impart a different flavour.

The Delicious Dressing

It’s the dressing that harmonises all the elements. We use a straightforward lemon vinaigrette that is wonderfully zesty and tasty. The essential ingredients include:

• Olive Oil: We recommend a good quality extra virgin olive oil to achieve the finest taste.
• Lemon Juice: For that lively citrus note, freshly squeezed is invariably superior.
• Maple Syrup (or Honey): This imparts a hint of sweetness, balancing the lemon’s sharpness and the kale’s slight bitterness. Chick-fil-A incorporates maple syrup into their dressing.
• Dijon Mustard: This serves as an emulsifier, aiding the oil and lemon juice in blending, while also contributing a delicate, zesty depth.
• Salt and Pepper: These are crucial for seasoning and enhancing all the inherent flavours.

Our Step-by-Step Chick fil a Kale Salad Recipe

Right then, let’s move on to the most enjoyable bit – assembling the salad! We’ve detailed the process in simple stages to help you create the perfect dish.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• For the Salad:
  • 1 large bunch of fresh curly kale (approximately 200-250g), with tough stems discarded and leaves finely chopped
  • 50g (around 1/2 cup) slivered or coarsely chopped almonds
• For the Lemon Maple Vinaigrette:
  • 60ml (1/4 cup) extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon of pure maple syrup (or runny honey if you prefer)
  • 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt (or adjusted to your preference)
  • 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper (or adjusted to your preference)
• Optional extras: A little finely shredded red cabbage for a splash of colour, or a dash of Parmesan cheese for an added savoury note.

Equipment

• A large salad bowl
• A sharp knife
• A chopping board
• A small bowl, or a jar with a secure lid (for preparing the dressing)
• A whisk
• A baking sheet (should you choose to toast the nuts)

Instructions

1. 
   

   Ready the Kale:
   Begin by meticulously rinsing your kale leaves beneath cool, flowing water. Ensure they are completely dry, using a salad spinner or clean tea towels – this step is vital for the dressing to adhere properly. Detach the hard central stalks from every leaf. This can be achieved by creasing the leaf in half lengthwise along the stalk and cutting the stalk off, or by simply pulling the leafy sections away. Pile the de-stalked leaves and cut them into small, manageable pieces. Transfer the prepared kale to your large salad bowl.

   
   
2. 
   

   Massage the Kale (Our Top Tip!):
   It may seem a little unusual, but massaging the kale is absolutely key to achieving a tender and tasty salad. Drizzle approximately one teaspoon of olive oil onto the chopped kale (or use a very small amount of your ready-made dressing). Next, with clean hands, softly rub and press the kale for about 2-3 minutes. You will observe it becoming softer, reducing slightly in bulk, and taking on a brighter green hue. This action helps to soften the robust cellulose, rendering it less sharp and more enjoyable to consume.

   
   
3. 
   

   Toast the Almonds (Optional, yet Highly Advised):
   Should your almonds not be pre-toasted, this can be done swiftly. Arrange them in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in an oven preheated to 175°C (350°F) for 5-7 minutes, or until they are a pale gold colour and aromatic. Monitor them carefully, as they can scorch easily! As an alternative, you can toast them in a dry frying pan over a medium heat for several minutes, stirring often. Allow them to cool down fully.

   
   
4. 
   

   Prepare the Lemon Maple Vinaigrette:
   In your small bowl or jar, mix together the extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk energetically until the vinaigrette is thoroughly blended and has a slightly thicker consistency. If you’re using a jar, just fasten the lid tightly and shake vigorously. Sample the dressing and tweak the seasoning if needed – perhaps you’d like a bit more lemon, a touch more sweetness, or an extra pinch of salt.

   
   
5. 
   

   Mix and Present:
   Drizzle roughly two-thirds of your prepared vinaigrette over the massaged kale within the salad bowl. Mix thoroughly so that each kale piece is lightly dressed. Introduce the toasted almonds. Give it another gentle toss. Should the salad appear a little under-dressed, add more vinaigrette according to your preference. Serve straight away to enjoy the optimal crunch and taste.

   
   

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Kale Crunch Salad Recipe

We’re keen for your homemade kale crunch salad recipe to be a resounding success! Here are some additional hints and tips we’ve gathered:

• Never Omit the Massage: We truly cannot overemphasise this point. Massaging kale turns it from somewhat tough and sharp to delightfully tender and palatable.
• Thoroughly Dried Kale is Crucial: Make certain your kale is completely dry prior to adding the vinaigrette. Damp kale leads to a diluted dressing and a salad that lacks full flavour.
• Sample and Fine-tune the Dressing: Individual tastes vary. Don’t hesitate to alter the amount of lemon (for zest), maple syrup (for sweetness), or salt in the vinaigrette to match your own liking.
• Planning for Advance Preparation: Various elements can be readied beforehand. Wash, chop, and massage the kale. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. The vinaigrette can be made and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. ” Ensure you shake it well before use”. Toast the nuts and keep them at room temperature in an airtight container. Mix everything together just before you plan to serve.
• Make It Your Own:
  • Introduce a little finely shredded red cabbage or carrot for added vibrancy and texture.
  • A scattering of dried cranberries or cherries can contribute a delightful sweet-and-sour note.
  • If you’re not aiming for a vegetarian dish, grilled chicken pieces or chickpeas can transform it into a more filling meal.
  • A small amount of crumbled feta or goat’s cheese can also be a tasty enhancement, provided you’re not aiming for an exact replica of the Chick-fil-A salad.
• Storing Your Salad: Once the vinaigrette has been added, the salad is ideally consumed within a couple of hours. Any leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator, though the kale will continue to soften, and the nuts might become less crunchy.

After savouring this wholesome salad, if you’re in the mood for another straightforward and gratifying recipe, we highly recommend our traditional Banana Bread. It’s a wonderfully comforting bake that never fails to please.

Nutritional Insights

Although we are unable to offer precise nutritional figures without laboratory testing, we can confidently state that this salad is an excellent source of nourishment. Kale is celebrated for its abundant Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, manganese, and antioxidants. For further details on kale’s advantages, you can consult reputable sources such as the health benefits of kale guide on BBC Good Food. Almonds provide beneficial fats, protein, and dietary fibre. The lemon vinaigrette, featuring olive oil, supplies monounsaturated fats. By managing the quantity of dressing and any added sweeteners, you can readily adapt this salad to suit a balanced diet.

Watch and Learn: Making the Chick-fil-A Kale Salad

At times, a visual demonstration can be incredibly instructive. We’ve sourced a useful video that shows the preparation of a similar kale crunch salad. Observing the process step-by-step can be particularly beneficial, especially if you learn best by watching. The following video from ‘The Recipe Critic’ provides an excellent illustration:

We believe that viewing a brief tutorial can often resolve any minor uncertainties you might have and give you an extra bit of assurance before you begin to cook!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about our Chick-fil-A Kale Salad Recipe

We’ve compiled answers to some frequent queries you may have regarding the preparation of this delightful salad:

Which type of kale is most suitable for this salad?

Our preference is for curly kale, as its frilled leaves capture the dressing effectively and offer a pleasing texture. Lacinato (also known as Tuscan or dinosaur) kale is also suitable, but do make sure it is chopped finely.

Is it possible to prepare this salad as a vegan dish?

Indeed! Our recipe, as presented, is inherently vegan, assuming you opt for maple syrup (rather than honey) for the vinaigrette.

What is the refrigerated shelf life of this salad?

Massaged kale, without dressing, can be kept for 2-3 days in an airtight container. The vinaigrette itself can last for up to one week. After mixing, the salad is ideally consumed within a few hours to retain maximum crunch, although it can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours (it will simply be less crisp).

What accompaniments work well with this kale salad?

It serves as a superb side dish for grilled chicken, fish, or steak, and even complements a substantial sandwich beautifully. Furthermore, it pairs nicely with soups or can be featured in a more extensive salad selection.

Does this recipe replicate the Chick-fil-A kale crunch salad exactly?

This is our own interpretation, crafted to closely mirror the much-loved kale crunch salad recipe available at Chick-fil-A. Our efforts have concentrated on achieving that characteristic taste and texture with ingredients that are easy to find.

Is it alright to use pre-cut kale?

Certainly, using pre-cut kale from a packet can save you some preparation time. Just check that it’s fresh, and be sure to rinse and dry it thoroughly. Depending on how it’s cut, you may still wish to chop it a little more finely, and remember, massaging it is still important!

May I substitute a different variety of nut?

Of course! Although almonds are the traditional choice, toasted pecans, walnuts, or even sunflower seeds (for a nut-free alternative) would also be quite tasty, though they will subtly alter the flavour profile.

Beyond the Salad: What to Serve It With

This adaptable chick fil a kale salad recipe is more than a mere side; it can take centre stage or serve as the ideal partner to a variety of meals. We particularly enjoy pairing it with:

• Grilled or roasted chicken
• Pan-seared salmon or other white fish like cod
• Substantial bean burgers or lentil rissoles
• As a refreshing contrast to hearty pasta bakes
• Nestled in a wrap alongside hummus and perhaps some crumbled feta

And for a truly lovely, perhaps unexpected combination, why not conclude this wholesome, savoury salad experience with a piece of something gently sweet and nourishing? Our Banana Nut Bread with Almond Flour offers a splendid treat that harmonises wonderfully with the nutty elements of the salad.

Our Final Thoughts on This Delicious Salad

We are genuinely enthusiastic for you to experience this Chick-fil-A inspired Kale Salad recipe. It’s a straightforward, nutritious, and exceptionally flavoursome dish that allows you to recreate a well-loved restaurant classic in the comfort of your own kitchen. Its fresh, lively tastes and pleasing crunch ensure it’s a success on every occasion, be it for a swift weekday lunch, an accompaniment to your evening meal, or when entertaining.

We warmly invite you to enjoy the entire preparation, from the gentle massaging of the kale to the whisking of that zesty lemon-maple vinaigrette. It’s a fulfilling activity that culminates in a genuinely delicious and wholesome meal. So, collect your ingredients, follow our guidance, and prepare to savour what we consider to be a top-notch homemade interpretation of this celebrated salad.

Have you given our chick fil a kale salad recipe a go? We would be delighted to learn about your results! Please do share your thoughts, any personal touches you added, or your preferred serving suggestions in the comments section. Happy cooking to you!