Copycat Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad Recipe

This low-carb version of the popular Chick-fil-A kale salad recipe (also known as the Kale Crunch Salad) is delightful and so easy to make at home. With fresh kale and cabbage tossed in a delicious salad dressing made with extra virgin olive oil and apple cider vinegar, you'll agree- this copycat recipe is better than the original.

why you'll love this recipe

Fresh meets flavor in this superfood salad that's ready in 15 minutes!

My Chick fil A kale salad recipe is a copycat version of the popular Kale Crunch salad, a simple side dish made with a fresh mix of curly kale, green cabbage and a Dijon mustard vinaigrette. Topped with roasted almonds, the kale crunch salad lives up to its name- there's plenty of crunch in every bite.

My copycat recipe features most of the same main ingredients as the original Chick fil A kale salad recipe, but with a few small changes.

Here's why you'll love it:

• it's fresh and flavorful with the perfect amount of crunch
• you can prepare it in 15 minutes
• with no added sugar, it's low-carb, keto friendly and gluten-free
• it's a delicious, nutrient-dense salad for any occasion

ingredients for kale crunch salad

While the original Kale Crunch Salad calls for roasted almonds and shredded Napa cabbage, I like to swap in shredded Brussels sprouts instead.

They hold up just as well so go with whichever one you prefer (or whichever one is already sitting in your crisper drawer. 😉 ).

To make this copycat Chick-fil-A kale salad, you will need:

• curly kale, de-ribbed and chopped small (you can also use Lacinato kale)
• green cabbage or Brussels sprouts, shredded (if using Brussels sprouts, remove the tough core)
• slivered almonds
• coconut oil
• radishes or jicama, julienned or chopped small
• Parmesan (optional)
• apple cider vinegar
• extra virgin olive oil
• liquid monk fruit (or sweetener of choice)
• lemon juice and lemon zest
• shallot, minced
• sea salt and black pepper
• Dijon mustard

kale crunch salad recipe

This salad is a breeze to make! The best part about this kale crunch salad recipe? It works well as a superfood side salad or as a full meal, topped with sliced chicken breasts or grilled salmon.

For the full recipe with all the details, view the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

How to make a copycat Chick fil a kale salad:

1. Toast the almonds. Melt the coconut oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add the slivered almonds and toast them in the pan until they turn golden brown. Remove from heat and transfer the almonds to a small bowl to cool.
2. Make the vinaigrette. Add all of the dressing ingredients to a mason jar (or similar). Place the lid on the jar and give it a good shake to combine.
3. Massage the kale. In a large bowl, toss the kale with half of the dressing and massage it for about three minutes.
4. Build the salad. Mix in the shredded cabbage and radishes. Add more vinaigrette as needed and top the salad with the toasted almonds and parmesan cheese.

• 

• 

• 

tips for the best results

• If you're making this salad in advance, hold off on adding the dressing until right before you plan to serve it.

• If you anticipate having leftover salad, I recommend adding the extra dressing and toasted almonds onto each individual serving otherwise the almonds will soften.

• Since curly kale and cabbage (or Brussels sprouts) are both hardier greens, leftovers will keep well for a day with the dressing on it and for up to four days without the dressing added. Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Any excess salad dressing will keep for up to one week.

substitutions

The great thing about this recipe is that it's easy to adapt. Here are a few ingredient swaps and additions that also taste great:

• Sweetener - To keep this low-carb and sugar-free, I like to use a liquid monk fruit sweetener, just a few drops, sweetened to taste. I've also sweetened the vinaigrette with my keto simple syrup and liquid allulose. Other liquid sweetener options include agave nectar or even maple syrup if you're okay with a paleo maple vinaigrette and don't necessarily need it to be sugar-free. Make sure to sweeten the vinaigrette to your personal taste preference.

• Roasted almonds - I like toasted slivered almonds but you can also skip that step and chop up salted and roasted almonds from the grocery store. Other swaps in place of crunchy almonds include toasted pecans, walnuts, pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or sunflower seeds.

• Fruit add-ins - If you'd like to substitute the radish (or jicama) with a fruit, pear or apple cubes are a great swap. They will increase the sugar/carb count of the salad but I think a little bit can still fall into the "low-carb" category.

frequently asked questions

With a sweet-tart vinaigrette, crisp greens and crunchy toasted almonds, this is the perfect salad for your lunch, dinner or meal plan needs. Enjoy!

you might also love...

• Keto steak salad with dijon balsamic dressing, a yummy mix of fresh greens and vibrant veggies paired with slices of tender ribeye. Top all of that deliciousness with chopped bacon, blue cheese crumbles and a creamy Dijon balsamic dressing.
• This Brussels sprouts and kale salad with a maple bacon vinaigrette makes a lovely special occasion salad that is full of flavor! Shredded Brussels sprouts, roasted fennel, kale, bacon and juicy pomegranate arils are a dreamy combination. And it's all drizzled with a sugar-free maple bacon vinaigrette.
• Cajun shrimp kale caesar salad is a popular one on the blog, and for good reason. Juicy, Cajun-seasoned shrimp are the star of this dish. The homemade spicy Caesar dressing is creamy, packed with flavor, and a salad dressing with a slight kick!