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Crunchy greens are tossed in an apple cider vinaigrette before being topped with roasted almonds to make this copycat recipe for Chick-fil-A’s Kale Crunch Salad.

The salad is almost ridiculously simple with just 4 basic ingredients, but they meld together beautifully when tossed in that mouthwateringly tangy, not-too-sweet, dressing.

When a friend first recommended that I try Chick-fil-A’s kale salad, I’ll be honest, and admit I didn’t race to try it. I’ve tried a few kale salads and they rarely wow me. (The exception to that kale salad aversion is our beloved Sweet Kale Salad. I still make it often!)

I’m very happy to tell you that this very simple kale crunch salad? It delivers an abundance of flavor and crunch!

I knew I needed a recipe for it asap, so that I could make it whenever I was craving it. As you know, we’re Chick-fil-A fans, so when I can’t get my chicken sandwich on the weekend, it’s time to make it at home.

The same goes for the sadly discontinued coleslaw too! Now that we can make it whenever we want, all is well in our chicken-craving house.

This is a terrific make-ahead option for lunches because the crunchy greens don’t tend to wilt or change much after resting overnight in the fridge. If you aren’t a huge fan of kale, this works beautifully with more cabbage and less kale.

I typically add a bit of carrot to the salad as well, both for contrasting colors and a bit of sweetness. I usually add extra cabbage for the crunch it provides. I like a lot of texture in my salads, so the cabbage and the almonds do a great job of delivering that.

Kale Crunch Salad

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:

Dressing Ingredients

apple cider vinegar
olive oil
honey or maple syrup
Dijon mustard
shallot or yellow onion
fresh Italian parsley
salt and pepper
fresh lemon juice

pouring dressing over kale in metal bowl

Salad Ingredients

kale
green cabbage
carrot OPTIONAL
whole roasted almonds

For this salad, you’ll want to use whole almonds that are both roasted and salted. If you happen to have unsalted almonds on hand, you’ll likely need to sprinkle a bit of salt on the salad to add that balance.

Kale Crunch Salad Recipe

To make the dressing, combine the vinegar, olive oil, honey or maple syrup, mustard, onion and parsley in the blender. Puree for a minute or two until completely smooth. Add the salt and pepper, and pulse to combine.

Taste the dressing and adjust the salt and pepper as desired. Add lemon juice to brighten the dressing, if desired.

Chick fil A Kale Crunch Salad

To make the salad, place the kale in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with about 3 tablespoons of the dressing. Use your hands to massage the dressing into the kale for a few minutes, to soften it.

Seriously, my friends, do NOT skip massaging the kale. I know, I know, if you’re new to kale salads it sounds completely ridiculous, but it works to break down the tough, fibrous pieces and create a perfectly chewable, softer kale salad.

Add the cabbage and carrots, if desired, to the bowl and toss well to coat. Scatter almonds over the salad and add additional dressing to taste. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Want a few more crunchy salad options? Crisp broccoli florets mingle with savory bites of smoky bacon, tangy cheddar cheese, and zesty red onion in this cheesy broccoli salad.

The allure of bacon dances with the subtle crunch of fresh cauliflower and sweet, chewy cranberries in this bacon lover’s cauliflower salad.