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So, you think you don’t like kale?

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Think again.

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Raw kale > Crispy kale!

Yeah, it’s like addicting.

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So, I made salad.

I know, that never happens around here. It’s mostly chocolate, chicken, pasta, cheese, pizza and more chocolate. Ah, that sounds way worse than it actually is.

Really I promise. We totally eat our vegetables (no, really we do!).

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You know what the best part about this salad is? Apart from it being crunchy, chewy and cheesy in all the right places, it is easy. Quick and easy. You can even skip the whole grilling process if you have some leftover chicken lying around and I mean really who does not have leftover chicken sitting in their fridge right now? It can’t be just me.

See lately……I have been so tired! Like I am honestly holding my eye lids open as I write this post. I know, glamorous isn’t it?

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Going to bed way too late and waking up WAY too early. NOT a good combo.

I have been spending so much time on my photos. Trying to improve them, reading about light (OMG, help! The light is always changing. Sometimes my photos are way too bright or way too dark) and other things. All you photography buffs out there, I envy you, I just don’t understand all this stuff! I love it, but I hate it at the same time. Pretty photos are awesome. Hours of experiments/ pulling my hair out, not so much.

So needless to say I needed a quick meal. A quick, healthy and delicious meal. The crispy kale is so good, you’ll be lucky if there is any left by the time you are ready to toss it with the rest of the salad. The couscous is fun and pairs really well with the kale. The pomegranates, those I am just addicted to.

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Crunchy Kale Salad with Coucous, Grilled Chicken and Pomegranates

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 840 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked coucous
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 pieces large bunch of kale torn from stems and torn into
  • 2 pound boneless skinless chicken breast about 1
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds arils
  • 1 avocado chopped
  • 4 ounces goat cheese crumbled
  • dressing
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon tahini
  • 1 cloves large garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper plus more to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Rub the chicken with olive oil salt and pepper. Grill for 7-8 minutes on both sides or until cooked through. Let cool five minutes and then dice into bite size pieces. Set a side and keep warm.
  • While the chicken cooks start on the kale. In a glass measuring cup or small bowl, mix all the dressing ingredients, whisk to combine and then season with salt and pepper. Taste and if needed add more salt and pepper.
  • Grease a baking sheet and spread kale on the baking sheet. To the kale add 2-3 tablespoon of the dressing (just enough to coat the kale, reserve the rest) massage the kale with the dressing and spread out evenly on the baking sheet.and roast for 10 minutes. Toss well and roast for 5-10 minutes more, until slightly crispy but not golden.
  • While kale is roasting bring the water to a boil. Once the water boils, remove from the heat and add the coucous, stir and cover for 10 minutes or until ready to use. When ready to use fluff with a fork.
  • Once the chicken, kale, and couscous are all done combine them in a large bowl. Add the toasted pine nuts, pomegranate seeds, avocado and goat cheese. Toss to combine and then add the remaining dressing and toss one more time.
  • Serve warm.
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So, I think I need to go to sleep now!

This post was originally published on January 24, 2013
5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Just wanted you to know that your recipe is being featured to today on foodie friday. Will be pinning and tweeting it this week too. Thanks again for being part of our party.

    Reply

    1. I can not say for sure, but I think almond butter butter might work. You want something with neutral taste. You can also just leave it out since it is only a tablespoon. I would add about a tablespoon more of olive oil though.The dressing just will not be a creamy. Hope this works for you!
      Tieghan

      Reply

  4. I’m crazy about kale, couscous and goat cheese so how can this not be a winner. Tomorrow’s farmers market day and I hope there is kale cause this will be on the table tomorrow night.

    Reply

  5. Love the idea of the pomegranate seeds for little hit of sweet and crunchy too. This really has it all! I found you by way of Jam Hands – thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  7. What a great way to use kale! I absolutely love it prepared in any way (and all the vitamins in kale are just a bonus! Ha!) This looks so good, thanks for sharing! I’ll have to give the couscous a try!

    Reply

  9. I am soooooo with you on the photography challenges! … light is my blogging nemesis. LOVE the ingredients in this chicken salad (oh, and I love kale). Pinning. Thanks so much for sharing!
    Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground

    Reply

  10. I love the combination of ingredients in this salad… the pomegranate seeds sound really interesting. Pinning this.

    Reply

  12. This looks delicious! I’m allergic to pine nuts. Can they be omitted? Also, if I can’t find pomegranate seeds, can cranberries be substituted?

    Visiting from Simple Living! 🙂

    Reply

    1. The pine nuts can can be left out, I would add toasted almonds or pecans. And yes, dried cranberries would be great!

      Reply

  13. Hi Tieghan ! I saw you linked up at the Grow Your Blog link party. It looks like you have tons of recipes I’ll have to check out!! Plus, I love quinoa and kale! I am now following you on facebook and I invite you to follow me back!
    Beth @ The First Year Blog

    Reply

  14. Following from the GYB hop. Yum-O, bring on the kale. So many people have misconceptions about kale. Untill we moved next door to this wonderful Cuban couple I thought Kale was only good for decorating party trays, but my wonderful friend showed me the light. We will be trying this recipe. cheermamadrama.blogspot.com

    Reply