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This Spicy Kale Salad Will Actually Keep You Full & Satiated

Author:

Alex Snodgrass

September 29, 2024

Recipe Developer & Founder of The Defined Dish

By Alex Snodgrass

Recipe Developer & Founder of The Defined Dish

Alex Snodgrass is a recipe developer, health enthusiast, and founder of the popular blog and social media outlet The Defined Dish. Her first two books, The Defined Dish and The Comfortable Kitchen, were instant New York Times bestsellers. Her recipes use better-for-you ingredients and are known for being simple, easy, and full of flavor.

Image by Kristen Kilpatrick

September 29, 2024

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This delicious and nutritious kale salad is filled with so many delightful flavors! The creamy dressing comes together quickly by simply blending goat cheese with a store-bought harissa and a few additional ingredients. The result is out-of-this-world flavor.

The dressing is then tossed with kale, apples, golden raisins, and crunchy pumpkin seeds and topped off with warm chicken that is sautéed with curry powder and cumin. All the flavors marry together so beautifully for the perfect salad!

This is a great meal-prep-friendly lunch—simply store the components in separate containers until you're ready to serve.

Curried Chicken & Kale Salad With Creamy Harissa Dressing

Makes: 4 servings

Total time: 30 minutes

Dietary: Gluten-free, grain-free

Ingredients

For the creamy harissa dressing

¼ cup crumbled goat cheese
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons spicy or mild harissa sauce (I use Mina brand)
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
1 teaspoon champagne vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the chicken

1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into ½-inch cubes
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (about ½ lemon)

For the salad

8 cups deribbed and finely chopped lacinato kale (about 2 bunches)
2 cups baby arugula
1 medium Honeycrisp apple, cored and cut into 2-inch-long thin matchsticks
¼ cup golden raisins
½ cup salted roasted pumpkin seeds
¼ cup roughly chopped fresh dill FOR SERVING
⅓ cup crumbled goat cheese
¼ cup roughly chopped fresh dill

Directions

Make the creamy harissa dressing: In a blender or using an immersion blender in a wide-mouth jar, combine the dressing ingredients. Blend until the dressing is completely smooth. Set aside while you assemble the rest of the salad. This keeps in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
Cook the chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chicken to the skillet and season with the salt, pepper, curry powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cumin. Toss to combine and cook, tossing occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes. During the last minute of cooking, add the lemon juice to deglaze the pan. Toss to combine until each piece is evenly coated with lemon and spices. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the kale, arugula, apple, raisins, pumpkin seeds, and dill. Pour a few tablespoons of the dressing onto the salad and toss until the kale is evenly coated and slightly wilted, 1 to 2 minutes.
Divide the salad among four bowls, then evenly distribute the warm cooked chicken over it. Finish with the goat cheese crumbles, a drizzle of extra dressing, and the dill.