Name: Kale and Chicken Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 Servings
Cuisine: American

Balancing Bowls Verified

January 28, 2026

This chicken and kale salad hits the sweet spot between hearty and fresh. With protein-packed chicken, fiber-rich chickpeas, chewy apricots, and creamy goat cheese, it's a balanced bowl that proves kale salads can win over even the skeptics. The charred lemon brings a unique depth of flavor that makes this salad stand out.

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Kale and Chicken Salad

Balancing Bowls Verified

Ingredients

WarningMilk and 4 other allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Heat olive oil in skillet. Season chicken breasts with half the spices and cook with lemon halves cut-side down. Scatter chickpeas with remaining spices. Cook chicken 7 minutes per side, until 165°F. Toss chickpeas occasionally until golden. Remove and rest chicken.

Massage kale with lemon juice until softened.

Whisk dressing ingredients in a small bowl or jar.

Toss kale with onion, apricots, seeds, and chickpeas. Add half the dressing.

Top with sliced chicken and goat cheese. Squeeze charred lemon over salad before serving.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Massage Your Kale 💪
Massage raw kale with a little olive oil and lemon juice for 2-3 minutes to break down tough fibers and make it more tender and palatable.
Charred Lemon Magic 🍋
Before juicing the lemon, briefly char it on a hot skillet to caramelize sugars and develop a deeper, smoky-sweet flavor profile.
Chicken Seasoning Technique 🔬
Create a dry rub with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, ensuring even coverage for maximum flavor penetration.
Texture Layer Strategy 🥗
Add sunflower seeds or pepitas right before serving to maintain their crunch and prevent them from becoming soggy.
Goat Cheese Pro Tip 🧀
Let goat cheese come to room temperature before crumbling to achieve softer, more delicate cheese pieces that distribute more evenly.

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About the Cook

Balancing Bowls

I'm Nora! Balancing Bowls is the product of a slightly chaotic life, a need to make and grow things, and a love of creative cooking. If you're here because you're trying to feed your family well without losing your mind, you're in the right place.