What dressing does Chick-fil-A use on the kale crunch salad?

Chick-fil-A uses an apple cider and Dijon mustard vinaigrette on its kale crunch salad. The flavor is tangy, slightly sweet, and perfectly balanced. Our copycat version replicates this with pantry ingredients like olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and maple syrup.

What’s in the kale crunch side?

The original kale crunch side from Chick-fil-A includes curly kale, green cabbage, toasted almonds, and that signature apple cider Dijon vinaigrette. It’s a simple but satisfying blend of crunchy, tangy, and savory.

What does Chick-fil-A put in their salad?

Beyond the kale crunch side, Chick-fil-A salads vary. They often include mixed greens, grape tomatoes, cheeses, nuts, and proteins like grilled chicken or nuggets—always paired with one of their unique dressings.

How long does Chick-fil-A kale salad last in the fridge?

If stored properly, a homemade Kale Crunch Salad Chick-Fil-A Copycat can last 2–3 days in the fridge once dressed. Without dressing, it stays fresh for up to 5 days.

Which salad dressing is the healthiest at Chick-Fil-A?

The Light Balsamic Vinaigrette and Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette (used in the kale crunch) are considered the healthiest options at Chick-Fil-A. They’re lower in sugar and calories than creamy dressings.

What to put in kale salad?

Aside from kale, great additions include shredded cabbage, toasted nuts or seeds, cranberries, apples, carrots, goat cheese, or even avocado. The dressing is key—vinaigrettes work best for massaged kale.

Kale Crunch Salad Chick-Fil-A Copycat – The Best Easy Recipe (2025)

Name: Kale Crunch Salad Chick-Fil-A Copycat
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 bunch curly kale, de-stemmed and chopped; 1 cup shredded green cabbage; 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted; 1/4 cup olive oil; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 2 tsp Dijon mustard; 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional for sweetness); Sea salt, to taste; Black pepper, to taste

Description

A fresh, crunchy, and tangy copycat of Chick-fil-A’s kale crunch side! Made with kale, cabbage, almonds, and a homemade apple cider Dijon vinaigrette, this easy salad is perfect for lunch, meal prep, or a healthy side.

Ingredients

Scale

1 bunch curly kale, de-stemmed and chopped
1 cup shredded green cabbage
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp maple syrup (optional for sweetness)
Sea salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Wash, dry, and chop the kale. Remove stems for a tender texture.
Place kale in a bowl and massage with a small drizzle of olive oil for 2–3 minutes until softened.
In a jar, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Shake until well blended.
Toss the kale and cabbage in a large mixing bowl with the dressing.
Sprinkle toasted almonds on top just before serving.
Optional: Add dried cranberries, grilled chicken, or your favorite salad toppings.

Notes

Massage kale to improve flavor and digestibility.
Add grilled chicken for a full meal.
Store dressing separately to keep salad crisp.
Almonds should be added just before serving to retain crunch.
Vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes (for toasting almonds)
Category: Salad
Method: Tossed / No-cook (except almond toasting)
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Kale Crunch Salad Chick-Fil-A Copycat, kale salad, Chick-fil-A copycat, apple cider vinaigrette, kale crunch recipe, healthy kale salad