Sweet Spring Kale Salad with Honey Orange Vinaigrette
I have been LOVING salads lately. Who am I kidding? I always love salads. It doesn’t matter what time of year. One thing I do try to do is make the salad match the season, and today’s salad was screaming spring! Fresh oranges, garlic, sea salt, creamy goat cheese, crunchy greens, and the most delicious flavors marinated right into the kale.
This salad took no time at all to throw together, is super customizable, and tastes even better after it sits for a bit. I had it for days in a row and never got tired of it. I think you’re going to love this one too!
Lately, I’ve been going to the grocery store daily, and it’s getting a little ridiculous, so I’ve decided to start making meals we can enjoy for a few nights in a row. Salads have been perfect for that lately. And soon, my garden will start producing, which means even more fresh garden recipes coming!
What I love about this salad is how easy it is to bulk up and customize. You can keep it simple and enjoy it as is, or add pasta, extra veggies, and your favorite protein to make it heartier and stretch even further throughout the week. We added chicken and pasta to ours, and it turned into the perfect filling lunch and dinner combo for a few days straight!
Sweet Kale Salad with Honey Orange Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Kale Salad
- 4 Large Pan seared chicken breast, sliced
- 6 ounces Stemless organic kale
- 6 ounces Crunchy loose leaf lettuce
- 5 Cups Cold cooked pasta
- 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes, sliced
- 2 Large Avocados, sliced
- 1 Cup Crumbled goat cheese
- 1/2 Cup Dried cranberries
- 1/2 Cup Candied pecans & walnuts
Honey Orange Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- Salt, Black pepper & Garlic powder to taste
Instructions
- Cook and slice the chicken breast and allow it to cool slightly.
- Add the kale, lettuce, cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, avocado, goat cheese, dried cranberries, candied nuts, and chicken to a large salad bowl.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, honey, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until combined. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well until evenly coated. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
Don’t forget to use a gluten free pasta if you want to keep it gluten free!
Need the PERFECT marinated chicken recipe? You have to try mine.
More Salad Recipes You’ll Love:
Greek Chicken and Orzo Pasta Salad
Lemon Ricotta and Garlic Chicken Pasta Salad
Italian Caesar Salad With an Antipasto Twist
Best Healthy and Easy Creamy Broccoli Salad Recipe
Crisp Apple & Quinoa Salad with Walnuts, Cranberries and Goat Cheese
Asparagus Pasta Salad with Lemon Sea Salt Dressing
Brussels Sprout & Quinoa Power Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
What to Make for Dessert?
The Best Lemon Olive Oil Cake Recipe
The BEST Frosted Banana Bread Bar Recipe
The Best Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever!
Chewy Frosted Orange Ginger Molasses Cookies
Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies with Salted Caramel Buttercream
Chocolate Olive Oil Cake with Vanilla Buttercream
Oatmeal Cream Pie Cookies with Creamy Buttercream Filling
I hope you love this recipe! It’s perfect for quick and healthy meals this time of year, especially when the weather is warm and everyone wants something fresh and easy. I already know I’ll be bringing this salad to the pool all summer long!
Speaking of the pool, I’m making amazing Italian subs to pack for today’s pool day. Make sure you’re following along on Instagram to keep up with all the recipes, pool days, garden updates, and everything we’re enjoying in real time!
What do YOU enjoy during the warmer months?
