Kale Crunch Salad Chick-fil-A recipe
An easy Kale Crunch Salad Chick-fil-A recipe with curly kale, green cabbage, almonds, and apple Dijon vinaigrette for a fresh side dish.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Small bowl or jar (for dressing)
- Whisk or fork
- Measuring cups and spoons.
- Salad tongs or clean hands (my favorite tool)
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 4 cups curly kale finely chopped (stems removed)
- 2 cups green cabbage very thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup roasted salted almonds roughly chopped
For the Apple Dijon Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup if you prefer
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prep the kale
- Remove the thick stems and chop the leaves finely. This matters—big chunks won’t soften properly.
- Massage the kale (don’t skip this!)
- Place the kale in a large bowl, add a tiny pinch of salt, and gently massage it with your hands for about 1–2 minutes. The leaves will darken and soften. This step makes kale actually enjoyable.
Add the cabbage
- Toss in the thinly sliced cabbage and mix gently.
Make the dressing
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and slightly thick.
Dress the salad
- Pour the dressing over the greens and toss well so everything is lightly coated.
Finish with almonds
- Add chopped roasted almonds just before serving to keep them crunchy.
Taste and adjust
- Add more salt, pepper, or a drizzle of honey if needed.