Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad copycat — the famous kale crunch! Kale and cabbage, crunchy roasted almonds, and a delicious apple cider and dijon mustard dressing.

Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad copycat in a bowl tossed together and ready to be served.

Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad

I’m obsessed with the Chick-Fil-A Kale Crunch Salad! It’s fresh, crunchy, and bursting with flavor. I grab one whenever I can and love it so much that I made a copycat version to enjoy at home.

The kale and cabbage give the perfect crunch, and the almonds add a nice sweetness. The dressing? Ultra tangy and totally delicious!

It’s easy to make and nutritious. I prep the ingredients ahead and assemble the salad fresh each day. Now, I can enjoy my favorite salad anytime, right at home!

All the three ingredients including cabbage, kale, and almonds prepped out for easy assembly.

Ingredients

  • Kale: Remove ribs and chop into small pieces for the perfect texture.
  • Green Cabbage: Slice thinly for even crunch in every bite. If you’re in a hurry, grab angel hair coleslaw.
  • Almonds: Roughly chop or pulse a few times in a food processor. Use plain dry-roasted nuts if you’re watching sugar intake.

Ingredients In Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad Dressing

  • Olive Oil: Use good quality for the best flavor.
  • Honey: Balances the tanginess of the vinegar.
  • Dijon Mustard: Adds a slight kick and depth to the dressing.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: The key to the tangy flavor.
  • Salt & Pepper: Brings out and balances all the flavors.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle, savory flavor.

All the ingredients in this Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad set out ready to be assembled.

How To Make Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad

  • Mix Dressing: Combine dressing ingredients in a mason jar, seal, and shake well.
  • Prepare Salad Base: Place chopped kale and sliced cabbage in a large bowl.
  • Massage Kale: Add 1 tablespoon of dressing, scrunch kale for 15 seconds, and let sit for 10 minutes.
  • Add Crunch: Add chopped almonds and more dressing to taste.
  • Combine: Mix well, adjust, and enjoy!

Tip: Double the dressing recipe and store it for quick salads throughout the week.

What To Serve With Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad

The greens being mixed together in a large bowl for this recipe.

Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad Variation Ideas

  • Add Fruit: Toss in some dried cranberries or apple slices for touch of sweetness.
  • Extra Crunch: Sprinkle some sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for more crunch.
  • Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing for a bit of heat.
  • Lemon Zest: Add a bit of lemon zest to the dressing for a bright flavor.
  • Add Cheese: Sprinkle with feta, goat cheese, or Parmesan for extra flavor.

The tossed together and ready to serve Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad in a bowl.

Storage

Storage Tips

  • Kale and Cabbage: Combine and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
  • Almonds: Keep in a separate airtight container at room temp.
  • Dressing: Refrigerate in a sealed jar.
  • Assemble Fresh: Combine Chick-Fil-A kale salad ingredients right before eating.

More Restaurant Copycats:

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Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad

Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad combines kale and cabbage with crunchy roasted almonds, all tossed in a tasty apple cider and Dijon-style mustard dressing.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Kale Marinating Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

  • Large bowl

Ingredients 
 

  • 5 cups thinly sliced kale
  • 1-1/2 cup thinly sliced green cabbage or shredded
  • 1/3 cup roughly chopped honey roasted almonds see note 1

Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions 

  • Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a wide-mouth mason jar. Seal and shake well to combine. If honey settles, stir and shake again.
  • Cut out the thick ribs from each piece of kale then finely chop. Place the finely chopped kale and cabbage in a large salad bowl. Mix in 1 tablespoon of the prepared dressing, scrunching firmly with both hands for about 15 seconds to soften the kale and infuse it with flavor. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
  • Add almonds and more dressing to preference. Taste, adjust, and enjoy!

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: I love these honey roasted almonds, but use dry-roasted almonds instead if you're watching sugar intake.
Storage: This salad is best when assembled daily. Store the kale and cabbage, almonds, and dressing in separate containers in the fridge and assemble before eating each day.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 15.2g | Protein: 3.8g | Fat: 13.2g | Sodium: 227.5mg | Fiber: 3.1g | Sugar: 10.8g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

 

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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