Eat Your Greens: A Kale and Quinoa Salad You'll Crave

There is a restaurant in Louisville that had a version of this salad and I LOVED it. I always said I was going to healthify it and make it at home but I just never did. Lately I’ve been feeling a little restaurant home sick in Florida and missing some of our fav dishes and places to go out to eat so I decided to give it a try and…

YOU GUYS…it’s SO good!! It made my heart and my belly happy!! I tried really hard to lighten this one up too and even at that it’s not low calorie, which isn’t necessarily the goal, but it is high protein AND had 10g of fiber (whaaat?!?!)! 

To keep salads from being heavy calorie bombs you just gotta watch your additions like cheese, nuts, seeds, and most of all, DRESSING!!! Measure it all out. I will be creating a homemade dressing for this recipe eventually but so many of you asked for the recipe I thought I better not gate keep and share it!

This recipe is super easy, you basically just throw everything together. It requires some food processor and chopping work (which I find therapeutic). I would definitely recommend making enough for a few meals to make it worth your time and then you’ll have everything done and can throw it together in a minute or two. 

I hope you love it like I do! 

INGREDIENTS:

• 2.5-3 oz shredded kale (Use the food processor for small pieces-trust me, it’s worth this step)

• 3/4oz Crumbled feta cheese

• 3oz diced green apple

• 2oz thinly sliced red onion (optional)

• 20g chopped dates (or you can use reduced sugar craisins)

• 3oz diced cooked chicken

• 3oz cooked and cooled quinoa 

• 10g toasted pepitas, sunflower seeds, or sliced almond

• S+P to taste

Dressing of choice: 2-4T Make sure you measure that shit out because this is where you can pack on the calories. This salad has the best crunchy texture and sweet flavors so I went with a light poppyseed dressing that only added about 20 calories! 

Add all ingredients to a BIG ol salad bowl and mix together (or my fav-just throw in a big meal prep container, put on the lid, and shake it all up then enjoy!! 

Nutrition: 466kcal 32P/53C (10 fiber!)/15F

*Need more protein? Add another ounce or two of chicken for just a few more calories!