If you have ever picked up a side from Chick-fil-A, the Kale Crunch Salad is one of those surprisingly memorable options. This fresh salad combines chopped kale and crisp cabbage with a sweet-and-tangy maple vinaigrette and crunchy almonds. It delivers a lighter, healthier option that still feels satisfying and full of flavor. It comes together quickly and makes a perfect side dish or simple meal when topped with grilled chicken.

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A crunchy salad with kale, cabbage, and almonds.

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What makes the Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad the perfect lighter side?

These days, everyone wants to eat a little bit healthier. However, finding recipes that cut calories without sacrificing flavor isn’t all that easy. Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad may be the answer. The mix of chopped kale and shredded green cabbage balances slightly bitter flavors with sweeter ones, and the salad dressing, made with a touch of maple syrup, makes this recipe irresistible. Serve the salad as an easy starter or side. Try adding grilled chicken for a refreshing meal.

Kale Crunch Salad ingredients and their roles in the recipe

For the Chick-fil-A Kale Salad dressing, you’ll need:

Apple cider vinegar – offers a bright, fruity tang that pairs well with the EVOO’s richness and the maple syrup’s sweetness.
Maple syrup – naturally sweetens the Chick-fil-A Kale Salad dressing. It also introduces a unique flavor that sugar can’t replicate.
Dijon mustard – contributes a small tang and a bit of sharpness while acting as an emulsifier to help prevent the dressing from splitting.
Salt – enhances the taste of all the other ingredients in the recipe.
Ground black pepper – adds a mild warmth and complexity to the dressing.
White wine vinegar – the sharper, more intense tang than apple cider vinegar. The two different vinegars create a complex acidity.
Extra-virgin olive oil – provides the richness of the salad dressing. EVOO has a slight floral flavor and helps balance the tang of the apple cider and white wine vinegars.

To finish the copycat Chick-fil-A Kale Salad, you’ll need:

Curly Kale – has a natural bitterness that complements the sweet and tangy Chick-fil-A Kale Salad dressing, and is a powerhouse when it comes to nutrition.
Green cabbage, thinly sliced – adds sweetness and a satisfying crunch.
Roasted, salted almonds, chopped – top the salad with a nutty and salty satisfying crunch.

Kale, cabbage, almonds, oil, vinegar, mustard, and seasonings.

How to make this Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad recipe

To prepare the Chick-fil-A Kale Salad Dressing;

Combine the apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and white wine vinegar in either a mixing bowl or a blender jar. If you are using a mixing bowl, form a dish towel into a ring and place the bowl on top to keep it from moving.
As you slowly pour in the extra-virgin olive oil, whisk well until the dressing becomes smooth and thickens slightly. If you are using a blender, start at low speed to prevent splashing, then increase to medium as you add more EVOO. Blend for about 15 to 30 seconds, until you reach your desired consistency. Do not over-blend, or the dressing can become bitter.
Pour the dressing into an airtight container and chill it until you are ready to assemble the salad.

To prepare the greens for the copycat Chick-fil-A Kale Salad:

Wash the kale, then dry it well with paper towels.
Cut out the stems and chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Set the chopped kale aside for later.
Remove any wilted or brown leaves from the head of cabbage. Rinse off the head and pat dry.
Use a sharp knife to carefully cut the cabbage head in half through the core. Then, cut each half through the core. Remove the core.
Slice the cabbage into thin strips as you would for coleslaw.
Rinse the cut cabbage and dry well.
Set the cut cabbage aside, keeping it separate from the kale.

To assemble the Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad:

Add a tablespoon of dressing to the kale and massage it into the greens. Squeeze the leaves until they become brighter and softer, then transfer to the serving bowl.
Add the reserved cut cabbage to the serving bowl and toss well with the remaining dressing.
Top with chopped almonds right before serving.

Making a vinaigrette dressing and salad with kale, cabbage, and almonds.

What to serve with copycat Chick-fil-A Kale Salad

Why not make Chick-fil-A night a tradition at your home? The following three recipes will help you recreate the restaurant experience in your own kitchen:

Chick-fil-A’s Spicy Deluxe Chicken Sandwich – Spice lovers have found their new favorite sandwich. The Spicy Deluxe Chicken Sandwich delivers mild heat, a bit of tang, and plenty of flavor. The chicken is marinated in milk, hot sauce, and pickle before being coated and dipped in hot oil. The patty is served on a brioche bun with lettuce, sliced tomatoes, a slice of cheese, and pickle slices.

Carrot and Raisin Salad – This refreshing salad combines shredded carrots, cubed pineapple, and raisins in a creamy dressing. The crunch of the carrots and the sweetness of the fruit give this salad a summer vibe even in the middle of winter. It’s great as a side dish, or try topping a pulled pork sandwich with it instead of coleslaw.

Copycat Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap – Wraps are in, and this one is delicious, filled with grilled chicken, crispy lettuce, two kinds of cheese, and a dollop of avocado-ranch-lime dressing. But what makes this recipe stand out is the flaxweed flatbread that adds just a touch of nuttiness to the sandwich.

A kale, cabbage, and almond salad in a large bowl.

Storage instructions for this Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad recipe

It is best to throw away any salad that you serve. But you can save any extra unserved salad in the fridge. It’s best to keep the dressing separate from the greens to prevent them from getting too soft.

Refrigerator Storage: Store dressing and salad separately in airtight containers. Greens last 1 to 2 days once chopped. Dressing lasts up to 3 days.
Reheating Method: Not required. Toss and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Freezer Storage: Not recommended, as fresh greens do not freeze well.

A chopped kale, cabbage, and almond salad.

More Chick-fil-A copycat recipes

Find lots of easy salad recipes and the best copycat Chick-fil-A recipes right here on CopyKat!

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