Can we just get something out of the way straight out of the gate? I am a notorious kale hater. I’m pretty sure I’ve written multiple times about how I feel like eating kale is like eating weeds out of my flowerbeds. Not that I’ve actually ever eaten weeds, but IΒ imagine that’s what eating weeds is like. Remember back in the 1980s when salads weren’t a whole lot more complicated than some iceberg lettuce and ranch dressing? And kale (and an orange slice) was a garnish at Sizzler that you weren’t supposed to eat but you did anyway and then you cried? Now it’s food? No. I’ve tried. It still makes me cry (on the inside.)
Well, awhile back, Chick-Fil-A added a Superfood Salad to their menu and although it involved kale, I was intrigued. So while I felt kind of dumb ordering the “superfood salad” as a side, I did it and guess who doesn’tΒ always hate kale? Me. In fact, in some cases, I’ve discovered that I rather enjoy it (especially when those cases involve this to-die-for maple-cider vinaigrette.) I made a few tweaks–I can rarely find broccolini (and let’s face it, the Chick-Fil-A salad is a little skimpy on the broccolini, probably because they can rarely find it as well) and when I can, I would have to consider sellingΒ a child to finance Operation Broccolini 2016. So I just decided to opt for regular broccoli and will just substitute broccolini if I can ever find it for a price below that which a small European country sells for. I also am not a fan of walnuts, so I used sunflower seeds, and when I had this for dinner the other night, I added a sprinkling of feta to my serving to add a little protein. Also, if you’re not digging (or can’t find) tart dried cherries, dried cranberries will always work.
make the dressing
To make the dressing, you’re going to need real maple syrup, apple cider vinegar (look for the murky stuff with “the mother,” like Bragg), kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, Creole or mild coarse grain mustard (Walmart’s Great Value brand has a really amazing mustard–it’s just in a squeeze bottle and says “Coarse Mustard.” Go figure…), and extra virgin olive oil (I used our garlic olive oil, and bacon oil would be amazing, too, kind of like Sara’s dressing here; I just had a hard time coming to terms with using 1/2 cup of the precious bacon olive oil all at once.)
In the jar of your blender, combine the vinegar, onion, mustard, salt, pepper, and maple syrup. Blend until smooth. With the blender running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Set aside.
making the salad
Now. One of the keys I discovered to not hating kale was to massage it. Just…put the clean kale in a big bowl and grab it with your hands and just scrunch it up until it’s a little less…weedy. It’s kinda weird, I’m not gonna lie, and your husband might walk in and say, “Hey, Kate, what are you doing?” and you’ll just say, “Oh, I’m just massaging this kale,” and he’ll kind of back out of the room like he just walked in on you watchingΒ Teen Mom again. But really, it helps break down the toughness and helps it hold onto the dressing a little better.
After you’ve massaged your kale…
toss it into a large serving bowl. Make sure your broccoli is broken into very small bite-sized pieces…
Then add that to the kale. Add 6 ounces of cherries (or dried cranberries…it’ll be 1 heaping cup of cherries)…
and 1/3 cup of shelled sunflower seeds. You’re gonna have to use your imagination for that part because I just got so excited that I used up all my sunflower seeds and forgot to take a picture. DrizzleΒ about 3/4 of the dressing onto the salad
and toss to coat evenly. Add more dressing if desired. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Copycat Chick Fil A Superfood Salad
- Prep Time: 15
- Total Time: 15
Description
Fresh broccoli and kale is tossed with tart dried cherries and sunflower seeds and then drizzled in a maple cider vinaigrette to make a quick copycat of Chick-Fil-A’s superfood salad that everyone will love (even if they hate kale!)
Ingredients
Maple-Cider Vinaigrette
- 1/3 cup cider vinegar (if you can, use something murky like Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar)
- 1 green onion, trimmed about 1” on top and the “hairy” root end on the bottom
- 1 teaspoon Creole or mild coarse grain mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- A few cracks of fresh black pepper
- 2/3 cup real maple syrup
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (I use our garlic olive oil)
SALAD
- 4 cups broccoli broken into small pieces
- 8–10 cups (about 8 ounces) kale, massaged
- 6 ounces tart dry cherries or Craisins
- 1/3 cup salted, shelled sunflower seeds
Instructions
- In the jar of your blender, combine the vinegar, onion, mustard, salt, pepper, and maple syrup. Blend until smooth. With the blender running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Set aside.
- In a very large bowl, combine the broccoli, kale, cherries, and sunflower seeds. Drizzle about 3/4 of the dressing onto the salad and toss to coat evenly. Add more dressing if desired. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Notes
- If you’d like to add a little extra flavor or protein, try crumbling a little feta or mild goat cheese right before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
Hi there! I am a long time follower, but I don’t think I have ever commented before..until now. This salad is UNBELIEVABLE!!! I am eating it as we speak and I think I could eat the entire bowl! I have never had the original, and don’t think it could be any better than this! Delicious!!! Thank you soo much!!
Yaaaaay!!! I’m so impressed that you had everything to make it and so glad that you love it!!
I have the same thoughts on Kale… I have tried it cooked completely, cooked crisp, raw, with garlic, with other spices, in smoothies, etc. and I just cannot bring myself to like it… I almost always replace it with spinach. I really want to try the salad, but I cannot get past the kale!!!
I would try replacing it with spinach. π
Do you mean you can refrigerate if you don’t eat it all, or you should refrigerate before eating it the first time?
Yes, just refrigerate any leftovers. π
Yum! I’ve been wanting to try this salad! I’ll have to make it at home soon!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
The kale massage… you guys are my favorite. Thank you for the food and the morning giggles.
The way you feel about kale is how I feel about quinoa. I KNOW it’s some amazing food that is SO good for me…but I just hate it! I hate the texture. I’ve tried to like it but I just can’t.
Yay! I have been waiting for this. I love their salad but I think it’s a little pricey. The large isn’t very big.
that salad is so darn good…. I am getting some today! thank you for posting your version!!!!!
Thank you! I am really liking the Chick Fil A Super Salad too…and no I don’t like kale either…haha. Thank you for this recipe…I will be making this often and soon.
This post was hilarious! I hadn’t been a fan of kale either until I tried the chick-fil-a salad myself. Looking forward to massaging some kale for myself at home-thanks! π
Thank you!