If you love salads that are crunchy, tasty, and super satisfying, then you’re going to love this one! I partnered with Fresh Express to create something fresh, easy, and full of bold flavors. Using their Sweet Kale Chopped Salad Kit, I made this Crispy Quinoa Sweet Kale Salad, and let me tell you it’s officially a favorite at my house!
The sweet and tangy poppyseed dressing mixes perfectly with juicy rotisserie chicken, creamy feta, pickled onions, and crispy quinoa. It’s colorful, hearty, and great for lunch, dinner, or meal prep. Plus, it only takes a few steps to throw together. Let’s make it!
Method
Cook the Quinoa
Crave worthy salads start by cooking your quinoa according to the instructions on the package. I usually rinse it first to remove any bitterness, then simmer it in water until all the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is nice and fluffy. Once it’s done, spread it out a bit or fluff it with a fork and let it cool completely. This step is super important if you want your quinoa to crisp up properly in the oven later.
Crisp It Up
Now it’s time to make the quinoa extra special by crisping it in the oven! Preheat your oven to 375°F. Once your quinoa is fully cooled, spread it out evenly on a baking sheet. Crave worthy salads I like to line the sheet with parchment paper to make cleanup easy, but that’s totally optional. Drizzle the quinoa with olive oil and sprinkle it with a pinch of sea salt. Then, give it a gentle toss so it’s coated evenly. Pop the tray in the oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. Make sure to stir the quinoa halfway through so it crisps up evenly and doesn’t burn in spots. Once it’s golden and crunchy, remove it from the oven and let it cool again. This crispy quinoa adds the perfect crunch to the salad!
Assemble the Salad
While the quinoa is cooling, grab a large mixing bowl and open both Fresh Express Sweet Kale Chopped Salad Kits. Pour the contents greens, shredded broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, and chicory right into the bowl. Don’t forget the included toppings, like the dried cranberries and roasted pumpkin seeds.
Add the Extras
Now it’s time to build some serious flavor. Add your chopped rotisserie chicken to the bowl, followed by the crumbled feta cheese and tangy pickled onions. Once the crispy quinoa is fully cooled, add that in too. It should be light, crunchy, and golden brown. Everything is coming together now!
Dress It Up
Finally, open both packets of the poppyseed dressing from the salad kits and pour them over the top. Using tongs or a big fork, gently toss everything together. Make sure every bite gets a little bit of that creamy, sweet, and tangy dressing it brings all the ingredients together beautifully.
Serve and Enjoy
Once everything is coated and combined, the salad is ready to go! Serve it up right away while the quinoa is still crispy and the greens are fresh. Every bite should have a little crunch, a little creaminess, and a whole lot of flavor.
Necessary Tools
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper (optional, for easy cleanup)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Fork or tongs for tossing
- Oven
Crave-Worthy Salads: My Crispy Quinoa Sweet Kale Salad
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings15
minutes25
minutes40
minutesIngredients
2 bags Fresh Express Sweet Kale Chopped Salad Kits
1 cup rotisserie chicken, chopped
3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
3/4 cup pickled onions
1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
2 teaspoons olive oil
Pinch of sea salt
Directions
- Cook the Quinoa: Follow the instructions on the package. Once it’s fluffy and tender, let it cool down a bit.
- Crisp it Up: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spread the cooked quinoa on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden and crispy. Stir once or twice while baking for even crispiness. Let it cool.
- Assemble the Salad: Open the two salad kits and pour everything into a large bowl (greens, toppings, everything!).
- Add the Extras: Toss in your chopped rotisserie chicken, feta, pickled onions, and the crispy quinoa. Don’t forget the dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds from the kits!
- Dress It Up: Pour in both packets of the included poppyseed dressing and give everything a good toss. Make sure it’s coated evenly.
Notes
- Make sure the quinoa is cooled before baking or it may steam instead of crisp.
- Stir the quinoa halfway through baking to avoid burnt spots.
- Toss the salad just before serving so the crunchy parts don’t get soggy.
- Use a big enough bowl to mix everything this salad has a lot going on!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve it on its own for a filling lunch.
- Add a side of garlic toast or pita chips for extra crunch.
- Make it into wraps by rolling it in a tortilla for easy on-the-go lunches.
- Perfect for meal prep just keep the crispy quinoa separate until you’re ready to eat!
Fun Fact
Did you know quinoa isn’t a grain? It’s actually a seed! But it cooks and eats like a grain, which makes it perfect for salads like this.
Conclusion
This Crave-Worthy Crispy Quinoa Sweet Kale Salad is proof that salads don’t have to be boring! With help from Fresh Express, you can throw together a restaurant-worthy salad in under an hour and everyone will be asking for seconds. The mix of textures and flavors is just right, and it’s so easy to make your own version by swapping in your favorite salad kit or toppings. So go ahead Express Yourself in the kitchen and try this one out. I promise you’ll crave it again and again.
