Crispy Chicken Kale Salad (Printable Version)

Golden crispy chicken atop fresh kale with cherry tomatoes, red onion, and tangy maple-Dijon dressing. Ready in 40 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Crispy Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
09 - Vegetable oil for frying

→ Salad

10 - 8 cups kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
13 - 1/3 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, optional
14 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional

→ Maple-Dijon Dressing

15 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
16 - 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
17 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
18 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
19 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
20 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Steps:

01 - Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create 4 thin cutlets of uniform thickness.
02 - Place flour in a shallow dish. In a second dish, beat the eggs. In a third dish, combine panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
03 - Dredge each chicken piece in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in beaten egg, then coat thoroughly in panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
04 - Heat 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Fry chicken cutlets 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate and rest for 5 minutes. Slice into strips.
05 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
06 - Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with half the dressing and massage kale for 1 to 2 minutes to soften. Add halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, toasted nuts, and Parmesan cheese if using. Toss gently with remaining dressing.
07 - Top salad with crispy chicken strips and serve immediately.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • The homemade maple-Dijon dressing provides the perfect balance of sweetness and tang.
  • Massaging the kale ensures a tender, easy-to-eat salad base.
  • It is a protein-packed meal that keeps you full and satisfied.
02 -
  • Do not skip massaging the kale; this step is essential for breaking down the tough fibers and making the salad more palatable.
  • Ensure the frying oil is hot before adding the chicken to prevent the breading from becoming greasy.
  • Always check ingredient labels for allergens, as this recipe contains wheat, eggs, and optional dairy and nuts.
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