Name: Dairy Free Kale Chicken Caesar Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 small bunches of kale, ribs removed and cut into bite sized pieces, about 8 cups; 2 teaspoons olive oil; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; Red onion, cherry tomatoes, and avocado, as desired; Homemade Whole30 Caesar dressing, or a store bought version; Dairy free parmesan “cheese” (optional); 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons avocado oil, ghee, or olive oil for cooking the chicken

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This dairy free kale chicken Caesar salad is SUCH a crave worthy meal! Made with hearty kale, perfectly seasoned chicken, a delightfully creamy homemade caesar dressing, tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and topped with a dairy free parmesan “cheese”. Just like your favorite Caesar salad, but without the dairy! Whole30, paleo, gluten free, dairy Free.

A large bowl of colorful kale chicken caesar salad with avocado, cherry tomatoes, and red onion topped with dairy free parmesan "cheese".

The best kale Caesar salad

This dairy free kale caesar salad has it all: hearty greens, an irresistible Dairy Free Caesar Dressing, and pan seared chicken. A true dream dinner! Just like your favorite Caesar salad, but without any dairy.

And dairy free or not, it’s not lacking one single thing that a good Caesar salad has. I would know, because if there’s a Caesar salad on the menu – I’m ordering it!

Why you’ll love this chicken Caesar salad

It is:

Fresh
Satisfying
Crisp
Bright + lemony
Garlicky
Easily made without anchovies
Full of savory, umami rich flavor
Filling
Keto friendly
So crave-able!!

A large bowl of colorful kale chicken caesar salad with avocado, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.

Ingredients and substitutions

This clean Caesar salad is made in a few separate parts that come together effortlessly. I’ll break everything down for you step-by-step so you can get to making yours ASAP!

You can skip the dairy free parmesan if you want, but if you’re curious I would encourage you to give it a try! It’s a super yummy dairy free replacement for parmesan cheese that’s perfect for anyone who is looking to cut back on dairy.

Here’s what you need

For the kale Caesar salad:

Kale – Any type of kale would work for this recipe – green curly kale, red kale, or lacinto (dinosaur) kale. Look for the freshest bunches you can find!
Olive oil + sea salt – Just a tiny bit of olive oil and sea salt are all it takes to massage the kale leaves. This step wilts the kale slightly so it is more easy to bite into. It also lessens some of the bitterness that can come along with hearty greens.
Cherry tomatoes, red onion, & avocado – These extra veggies are totally optional, but I love the added bite and bright flavor that they bring to this salad!
Whole30 Caesar salad dressing – Of course I’m partial to my favorite homemade Whole30 Caesar salad dressing recipe (we make it even when we’re not doing a Whole30!), but you could also use a bottled version like Tessamae’s or Primal Kitchen.
Dairy free parmesan “cheese” – This simple recipe for dairy free / vegan parm is a yummy boost of added savory flavor to this Caesar salad, but totally optional.

For the seasoned chicken breast:

2 large chicken breasts – You could cook as much or as little chicken as you’d like for this salad, but 2 large chicken breasts is about the right amount for 4 servings.
Garlic powder + salt + pepper – My go to seasoning blend for chicken that pairs perfectly with this salad.
Avocado oil, Ghee, or olive oil – For cooking the chicken.

Can you make this kale Caesar with another protein besides chicken?

Yep! Absolutely.

This kale Caesar can be made with shrimp, salmon, or even crispy chickpeas for a vegetarian option.

How to make

Now that you know all the ingredients you need to make this Caesar, let’s move on to HOW to make it! It’s made in two main parts, but I promise they don’t take long and this tasty salad will be ready before you know it!

Here’s the step-by-step

Prepare the dairy free Caesar salad dressing and set aside. If using a store bought variety, skip this step.
Make the kale salad. Add cut kale to a large bowl and drizzle with 2 teaspoons olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Using your hands, massage kale until softened slightly – for about 30 seconds to a minute. Drizzle kale with 1/2 cup Caesar dressing and use tongs or clean hands to toss until thoroughly coated. Add more dressing if desired. Add red onion, cherry tomatoes, and avocado if using and toss again to combine. Move to the refrigerator to keep chilled while you cook the chicken.
Cook the chicken. Season chicken breasts evenly with garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Heat avocado oil in a large cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot and oil shimmers, add chicken breasts and cook, undisturbed, for 6-7 minutes, until they are golden brown and lift easily from the pan. Turn and cook another 6-7 minutes, until cooked through. Transfer chicken to a cutting board to rest for several minutes.
Serve and enjoy! Divide salad between 4 bowls. Dice the cooked chicken and add to the top of the salad. Finish with a generous sprinkle of dairy free parmesan if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Why you should massage kale for salad

Massaging kale for salad might sound a little *extra*, but I promise you it is THE difference between a kale salad that is just “meh”, and a kale salad that will knock your socks off and have you running back for more. The process gently softens the leaves and takes away some of the overpowering bitterness that can sometimes accompany fresh kale.

How do you massage kale for Caesar salad? It’s actually super easy. All you need to do is add your washed and cut kale to a large bowl, and drizzle it with a little olive oil and a bit of salt. Using your hands, massage kale until shiny and softened slightly – about 30 seconds to a minute.

You can massage it more or less, depending on your preference of how much bite you want it to have.

How to season and cook chicken for kale Caesar salad

For this kale caesar recipe the chicken breasts are seasoned with a super basic blend of garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This simple trifecta is my favorite easy way to season chicken – it’s always a hit!

After seasoning the chicken all you need to do is cook for approximately 6 minutes per side in a skillet, until golden brown and releases easily from the pan!

If you want to go the oven route instead of cooking the chicken on the stove top you could also use the chicken from this oven baked chicken recipe.

A single serving of Kale Chicken Caesar Salad on a small ceramic speckled plate, on a light colored cream background.

How long will this kale Caesar keep in the refrigerator

One of the best things about this salad is that it will keep in the refrigerator for leftovers the next day, even after the salad is dressed. Since kale is heartier than romaine lettuce, it won’t wilt the same way tender greens would. This makes it perfect for lunch leftovers the next day!

If you plan to store leftovers for more than a day, I would suggest prepping all of the components but waiting to dress the salad until shortly before serving.

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