Crispy Chicken Kale Salad (Printable Version)

Golden crispy chicken paired with massaged kale, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy maple-Dijon dressing for a hearty, satisfying meal.

# 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 fresh 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

# How-To 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, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
03 - Dredge chicken pieces in flour, dip in 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. Fry chicken cutlets 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and rest for 5 minutes. Slice into strips.
05 - Whisk together olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
06 - Place kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with half the dressing and massage for 1 to 2 minutes to soften. Add tomatoes, red onion, nuts, and Parmesan if using. Toss gently with remaining dressing.
07 - Top salad with crispy chicken strips and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The chicken stays so crispy that even leftovers hold up better than you'd expect.
  • Massaging the kale transforms it from tough and bitter to silky and almost sweet.
  • The maple-Dijon dressing is the kind you'll start putting on everything in your fridge.
  • It feels indulgent enough for guests but comes together on a weeknight without much fuss.
02 -
  • Don't skip massaging the kale, it's the difference between a salad you tolerate and one you actually crave.
  • Let the oil get hot enough before adding the chicken or the coating will absorb too much oil and turn greasy instead of crispy.
  • Rest the fried chicken for a few minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute and the coating stays intact.
03 -
  • Press the panko firmly onto the chicken so it doesn't fall off in the oil, a good coating makes all the difference.
  • If your dressing breaks or looks separated, add a tiny splash of warm water and whisk hard until it comes back together.
  • Slice the chicken right before serving so the steam doesn't make the coating lose its crunch.
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