Chick-fil-A-Style Kale Crunch Salad

Inspired by the flavors of Chick-fil-A's kale crunch and massaged kale apple almond salads, this recipe captures their best qualities in a clean, whole-food version without seed oils, refined sugars, or artificial additives.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup organic baby kale, torn into small pieces
  • 1 medium Fuji apple, cored and chopped
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Clean swaps

How we upgrade the restaurant version with better ingredients.

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Reorder the shelf-stable staples for this recipe.

What you'll need

  • Salad spinner — Dries greens so dressing clings instead of pooling at the bottom.
  • Mandoline slicer — Uniform thin slices of fennel, cucumber, and radish in seconds.
  • Large wood salad bowl — Season it — oil from dressings builds flavor in the wood over time.

Instructions

  1. Combine torn kale and chopped apple in a large mixing bowl.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, olive oil, honey, and molasses. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Pour the dressing over the kale and apple mixture, massaging it gently until well coated and slightly wilted.
  4. Add diced red bell pepper to the salad and toss to combine.
  5. Sprinkle lightly toasted sliced almonds on top of the salad just before serving for texture.
  6. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold or room temperature.

FAQ

How long does this Chick-fil-A-Style Kale Crunch Salad keep?

This salad keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It is best when served slightly chilled.

Can I use a different apple variety?

Yes, you can use any firm apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp; they work well and add their own unique flavor profile.

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