Crispy Chicken Kale Salad (Printable)

Golden crispy chicken paired with fresh kale, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy maple-Dijon dressing for a satisfying main dish.

# What You'll 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

# Directions:

01 - Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create 4 thin cutlets of even 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 - Coat each chicken piece in flour, shake off excess, dip in egg, then coat thoroughly in panko mixture ensuring full coverage.
04 - Heat 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F. Fry chicken cutlets 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate and rest 5 minutes. Slice into strips.
05 - Whisk together olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified.
06 - Place kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with half the dressing and massage kale for 1 to 2 minutes to soften and release flavors. Add tomatoes, red onion, nuts, and Parmesan if using.
07 - Toss salad gently with remaining dressing. Top with crispy chicken strips and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The chicken stays incredibly crunchy on the outside while the kale gets tender and almost sweet after a quick massage with dressing.
  • It feels indulgent but is actually balanced, with enough protein and greens to keep you full for hours.
  • You can prep the components ahead and assemble right before serving, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
  • The maple Dijon dressing is so good you will want to drizzle it on everything.
02 -
  • Do not skip massaging the kale, it transforms the texture from tough and bitter to silky and mild.
  • Let the chicken rest after frying or all the juices will run out the second you slice it.
  • Make sure your oil is hot enough before adding the chicken or the breading will absorb too much oil and turn greasy instead of crispy.
03 -
  • Press the panko into the chicken firmly with your palms so it really adheres and does not fall off during frying.
  • Add a pinch of cayenne to the breading if you like a little heat, it pairs beautifully with the sweet maple dressing.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches 165 degrees internally so you know it is perfectly cooked without cutting into it.
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