Kale Greek Salad
This kale Greek salad is packed with nutrients and tons of flavor — the perfect option for a workday lunch!
I absolutely love Greek salads, and I think you will love this variation too! I know kale is one of those things that people either really love or really hate, but when it’s massaged right, it’s a tender bed of greens for your salad toppings, and has tons of nutritional benefits too!
MASSAGE YOUR KALE
Taking the (minimal) time to massage your kale makes the biggest difference! I’m not the biggest fan of raw kale either, but when its tender I absolutely love it. Here is the very simple way to get the best out of your kale:
Add kale to a large bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper (optional: lemon)
Massage kale with hands for ~3 minutes. Yes your hands will get messy, and yes it is 100% worth it!
INGREDIENTS:
Kale is extremely nutrient dense, providing an excellent source of Vitamin A, K, C, B6, manganese, calcium, copper, magnesium, and potassium. It contains antioxidants and a variety of nutrition benefits.
Olive oil is used in this recipe to massage the kale, breaking it down into a more tender version of itself. It is high in monounsaturated fats and has been linked to being beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Chicken breast used in this recipe is lemon chicken, but any chicken variety of choice works. Chicken breast is a great high protein source that is also low in fat. Tip from Paige: keep a rotisserie chicken in your fridge during the week to easily shred and throw into salads and other dishes for a quick protein source!
Cucumber, red bell pepper, and pickled red onions are extra veggies I threw into this salad to go along with the Greek theme. These provide a ton of extra vitamins and minerals, along with extra fiber. This part of the salad can be totally customizable to your preference and what you have on hand — all veggies are good veggies!
Feta cheese to me is an absolutely essential piece in making a great Greek salad. Feta is a good source of calcium and protein, and tends to be lower in fat than most other cheeses.
Tzatziki is a dip/ sauce of Greek origin primarily containing Greek yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, salt, and olive oil. And it is absolutely delicious! For this recipe, I either use classic tzatziki or avocado tzatziki (found at Trader Joe’s) depending on what I have on hand!
INSTRUCTIONS:
Massage kale (see instructions above)
Add ingredients to a bowl and enjoy!
Kale Greek Salad
Ingredients
- 2-3 cups kale
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 3 oz. lemon chicken
- 1 cup sliced cucumber
- 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup pickled red onions
- 1/4 cup feta cheese
- 2 tbsp. tzatziki
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add kale to a bowl with 2 tbsp. olive oil, salt, and pepper
- Massage kale with hands for ~3 mintues
- Add ingredients to a bowl and enjoy!
Hi! I’m Paige,
a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who has made it my mission to simplify nutrition and help individuals achieve a healthy and balanced relationship with food, without restriction.
Here you’ll find everything from, nutrition tips, recipes, and realistic nutrition advice.
Check out more recent recipes here
