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kale and quinoa salad

Kale and Quinoa Salad with Chicken

This restaurant-inspired kale and quinoa salad combines grilled chicken, mango, green apple, herbs, and spiced pecans — all tossed in a bright honey lime vinaigrette. It’s fresh, satisfying, and perfect for meal prep.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American, Restaurant-Inspired
Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 10 oz baby kale about 8 packed cups, lightly chopped
  • ½ cup dry quinoa 1½ cups cooked and cooled
  • 3 cups cooked grilled chicken sliced or shredded (or about 1 small rotisserie chicken)
  • ¼ cup fresh mint finely sliced
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • ¼ cup sliced green onion
  • 1 medium mango diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 small green apple thinly sliced or julienned (about 1 cup)
  • ¼ cup chopped dates 3–4 Medjool
  • ½ cup spiced pecans coarsely chopped
For the Dressing

Method
 

  1. Cook the quinoa according to package directions. Fluff and cool completely.
  2. Whisk or shake the Honey Lime Vinaigrette until emulsified.
  3. Add kale to a large bowl with about ½ cup of the vinaigrette. Massage gently for 1–2 minutes to soften.
  4. Add quinoa, mint, cilantro, and green onion. Toss to coat and let sit for 5–10 minutes to absorb flavor.
  5. Fold in chicken, mango, apple, dates, and pecans.
  6. Drizzle remaining ¼ cup vinaigrette over the top, toss gently, and serve immediately.

Video

Notes

  • Dressing Ratio: ¾ cup total dressing provides perfect coverage without making the salad soggy.
  • Meal Prep Tip: Toss kale and quinoa with dressing first — add fruit and nuts later to keep crisp.
  • Storage: Keeps up to 4 days in the fridge; add extra vinaigrette before serving leftovers if needed.
  • Substitutions: Swap chicken for shrimp, salmon, or tofu. Use berries or oranges instead of mango.
  • Pro Tip: Kale softens best when massaged with dressing and allowed to rest briefly before adding toppings.
  • Alternate Dressings: Try a store-bought citrus vinaigrette, poppy seed dressing, or light balsamic vinaigrette if you don’t have honey lime vinaigrette on hand.