• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
Display Search Bar

The Paleo Running Momma

Run Fast, Eat Clean, Live Messy!

  • Browse Recipes
  • By Course
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Dips, Dressings and Sauces
    • Lunch & Dinner
    • Sweet Treats
    • Veggies & Sides
  • By Dessert
    • Breads & Muffins
    • Brownies & Bars
    • Cakes & Cupcakes
    • Chocolate
    • Cookies
    • Crisps, Cobblers, & Crumbles
    • Fruit
    • No-Bake
    • Pies & Tarts
  • By Special Diets
    • Egg Free
    • No Added Sugar
    • Nut Free
    • Vegan
    • Whole30
  • By Ingredient
  • By Holiday/Season
    • Birthday
    • Christmas/Winter
    • Easter/Spring
    • Summer/BBQ
    • Thanksgiving/Fall
  • View the Full Recipe Index

7.09.18

Kale Chicken Caesar Salad {Paleo, Whole30}

Whole 30 No Added Sugar

This Paleo and Whole30 Kale Chicken Caesar Salad is an easy, healthy lunch or dinner packed with so much flavor!  Grilled chicken is tossed with avocado, toasted pine nuts, chopped kale, and a creamy homemade dairy-free caesar dressing for a deliciously savory salad that you’ll want to make again and again.

This Paleo and Whole30 Kale Chicken Caesar Salad is an easy, healthy lunch or dinner packed with so much flavor!  Grilled chicken is tossed with avocado, toasted pine nuts, chopped kale, and a creamy homemade dairy-free caesar dressing for a deliciously savory salad that you'll want to make again and again.

I’m completely into kale salads at the moment, perhaps you’ve noticed.  It’s funny, because as much as I LOVE kale, can’t get enough of it, and go through it embarrassingly quickly, I didn’t start making salads with it until very recently.

I guess my love for crispy, sauteed kale with bacon, sweet potatoes and eggs made it tough for me to envision it really any other way.

And, I guess before I realized how easy it was to massage kale, I was intimidated by its raw texture.  Spoiler alert – just a few minutes of massaging your kale turns it from hard and crunchy to softer, almost as if you actually did saute it.  Who knew?

This Paleo and Whole30 Kale Chicken Caesar Salad is an easy, healthy lunch or dinner packed with so much flavor!  Grilled chicken is tossed with avocado, toasted pine nuts, chopped kale, and a creamy homemade dairy-free caesar dressing for a deliciously savory salad that you'll want to make again and again.

Anyway, I’d been wanting to make a Caesar salad for awhile, specifically a delicious dairy free caesar dressing.  Quite the challenge, if you consider how cheesy your typical Caesar salad is.

But, I’m not sure there’s anyone who doesn’t love a classic grilled chicken Caesar salad.  Even kids love it, at least in my experience!  And picky husbands – in fact, it’s the only green salad I’ve ever witnessed my own picky husband order at a restaurant.

Okay, maybe there was a wedge salad in there at some point, yes, I’m pretty sure.  But still, chicken Caesar salad is high up there on everyone’s favorite salads list.  At least among the people who have a favorite salads list, of course.

This Paleo and Whole30 Kale Chicken Caesar Salad is an easy, healthy lunch or dinner packed with so much flavor!  Grilled chicken is tossed with avocado, toasted pine nuts, chopped kale, and a creamy homemade dairy-free caesar dressing for a deliciously savory salad that you'll want to make again and again.

More about this salad now though!  I was thoughtful about what add-ins I used here, because keeping it Whole30 as well as paleo means we’re not recreating croutons here.

Instead of croutons though (because I’m sorta over croutons at this point), I decided to top my salad with loads of toasted pine nuts and some diced avocado.  Toasted pine nuts are just another things I’ve been seriously into lately – they’re sooo tasty!

This Paleo and Whole30 Kale Chicken Caesar Salad is an easy, healthy lunch or dinner packed with so much flavor!  Grilled chicken is tossed with avocado, toasted pine nuts, chopped kale, and a creamy homemade dairy-free caesar dressing for a deliciously savory salad that you'll want to make again and again.

I do realize the avocado and pine nuts aren’t exactly what you’d expect for a chicken Caesar salad, but then again I guess the kale part isn’t either, so I won’t be apologizing after all.

Anyhow, there’s just something about the flavor combo in this particular salad that made me swoon.  The combination of the toasted pine nuts, grilled chicken and creamy avocado along with the dressing will have all of you swooning over this salad along with me!

This Paleo and Whole30 Kale Chicken Caesar Salad is an easy, healthy lunch or dinner packed with so much flavor!  Grilled chicken is tossed with avocado, toasted pine nuts, chopped kale, and a creamy homemade dairy-free caesar dressing for a deliciously savory salad that you'll want to make again and again.

Now the dressing itself is pretty incredible, and I am super picky about my homemade dressings!  We start with easy homemade mayo (or a paleo friendly store-bought mayo) mixed with lemon juice, coconut aminos, garlic, salt and pepper.  It’s just as simple as it sounds!

Yes, the coconut aminos/lemon combo had me very skeptical but trust me – this all works out so deliciously in the end!  For the absolute best flavor, I really recommend making my homemade mayo recipe as the base for the dressing if you can!

From start to finish, this salad is ready in under 20 minutes and makes a perfect weeknight dinner or lunch to go!  I hope you’re ready to begin because I’m now officially starving and craving this salad – let’s begin!

Kale Chicken Caesar Salad {Paleo, Whole30}

This Paleo and Whole30 Kale Chicken Caesar Salad is an easy, healthy lunch or dinner packed with so much flavor!  Grilled chicken is tossed with avocado, toasted pine nuts, chopped kale, and a creamy homemade dairy-free caesar dressing for a deliciously savory salad that you'll want to make again and again. This Paleo and Whole30 Kale Chicken Caesar Salad is an easy, healthy lunch or dinner packed with so much flavor!  Grilled chicken is tossed with avocado, toasted pine nuts, chopped kale, and a creamy homemade dairy-free caesar dressing for a deliciously savory salad that you'll want to make again and again.

Kale Chicken Caesar Salad {Paleo, Whole30}

This Paleo and Whole30 Kale Chicken Caesar Salad is an easy, healthy lunch or dinner packed with so much flavor!  Grilled chicken is tossed with avocado, toasted pine nuts, chopped kale, and a creamy homemade dairy-free caesar dressing for a deliciously savory salad that you'll want to make again and again.

Author: Michele
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Paleo, Whole30
Servings: 5
Print this Recipe
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review
5 from 8 votes

Ingredients

Caesar Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup homemade mayo or paleo store-bought mayo
  • 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tsp coconut aminos
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tsp spicy brown mustard
  • 1/8-1/4 tsp sea salt or to taste
  • 1/8-1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste

Salad:

  • 5 cups kale
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil plus large pinch sea salt
  • 3/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1 tsp olive oil or coconut oil plus large pinch sea salt
  • 1 boneless skinless chicken breast
  • sea salt and black pepper
  • 1/2 large avocado or 1 small, diced

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dressing first: whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl and chill until ready to serve
  2. Brush your grill, grill pan or cast iron skillet with oil and heat to medium/med-hi (adjust as needed)

  3. Sprinkle chicken breast on both sides with sea salt and pepper, then grill 6-7 mins on each side depending on thickness, until juices run clear and inside is no longer pink. Set aside covered in aluminum foil while you toss the pine nuts.
  4. Place a small cast iron skillet over med heat and add tsp oil, the add the pine nuts and sprinkle with salt. Cook, stirring for about 1 minute or until golden brown - be sure to adjust the heat if necessary so they don’t burn.
  5. To massage the kale, place it in a large bowl and drizzle with the 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. knead the kale with your hands as if kneading bread dough for about 2-3 mins or until desired texture is achieved.

Assemble the Salad:

  1. Place massaged kale in a serving bowl snd toss with chopped avocado and toasted pine nuts. Slice the chicken breast and arrange on salad, then toss or top with caesar dressing right before serving - use as much or as little as you want as per preference.
  2. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

*Nutrition is calculated for 5 servings using all of the dressing (which is more than you need) so using less will alter the calories/fat significantly.   

 

Nutrition

Calories: 422kcal
Fat: 39g
Saturated fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 23mg
Sodium: 322mg
Potassium: 630mg
Carbohydrates: 11g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 1g
Protein: 11g
Vitamin A: 6735%
Vitamin C: 83.8%
Calcium: 108%
Iron: 2.3%

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @PaleoRunningMomma on Instagram and hashtag it #PaleoRunningMomma

Shop Products and Ingredients:

Want More Whole30 Salad Recipes?  Try One of These!

Spinach Bacon Strawberry and Chicken Salad

Chicken BLT Salad with Peppercorn Ranch 

Shrimp Cobb Salad with Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette

Chicken Cobb Salad with Buffalo Ranch

Cherry Berry Kale Salad

Note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Paleo Running Momma!

You Might Also Like...

  • Deviled Avocado Egg Salad {Paleo & Whole30}
  • Spicy Grilled Chicken Drumsticks {Paleo, Whole30}
  • Crispy Chicken Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing {Paleo, Whole30 Option}
Previous Post
Next Post

About Michele

More than a little into running and paleo recipes (yoga now too!) but I'm not here to rain on your grains (or anything else) so come along for the ride! I do a little too much of everything (except cleaning), and I enjoy laughing at myself. As long as I'm the one making the jokes, that is. Just kidding. So bring me your angst, your appetite and your frying pan and climb aboard!

Reader Interactions

Reader Reviews & Comments

  1. AT says

    July 12, 2018 at 9:13 pm

    5 stars
    I made this tonight for my vegetable-hesitant boyfriend and he LOVED IT. He’s been talking about it ever since we finished dinner. Thanks for another fantastic recipe – you’re my go-to for all things delicious.

    Reply
  2. Kelly Mahan says

    July 13, 2018 at 2:03 pm

    5 stars
    Kale by itself is so boring, but I love every single recipe with it. Can’t wait to try this one as well.

    Reply
  3. Erin says

    July 14, 2018 at 7:01 pm

    I typically despise both salads and kale, but this is awesome. Simple to make and delicious. I would eat this out of a shoe if I had to.

    Reply
  4. Erin says

    July 14, 2018 at 7:34 pm

    5 stars
    🙂

    Reply
  5. Jackie says

    October 21, 2018 at 3:05 pm

    5 stars
    This was seriously so delicious and the best part was it was so easy to make!

    Reply
  6. Majesty says

    January 4, 2019 at 10:31 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! Dressing is super quick to make and has really good flavor. I subbed baby power greens mix for the kale as that’s what I had. Didn’t need to massage or precoat to soften, so will avoid that in future.

    Reply
  7. shelly says

    January 25, 2019 at 1:24 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my Gosh! This was fantastic!!! Even my “must have a starch with every meal” husband loved it! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Michele says

      January 25, 2019 at 3:49 pm

      Oh that’s so awesome to hear, happy you enjoyed!

      Reply
  8. nate says

    April 24, 2019 at 12:42 pm

    5 stars
    Just finished this for lunch and I am so impressed. Another winner. Your recipes truly are some of the best Paleo recipes out there.

    Reply
    • Michele says

      April 29, 2019 at 4:01 pm

      I’m thrilled you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  9. Sara says

    July 8, 2019 at 11:25 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely delish!! One recipe makes four servings – perfect for my weekly lunches. This dish keeps me full, satisfied and humming until dinner. It makes the goal of adhering to Whole 30 easy and achievable. Enjoy!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Chicken Pesto Paleo Pizza {GF, DF} | The Paleo Running Momma says:
    July 12, 2018 at 5:00 am

    […]  I happen to currently be in a little pine nut honeymoon phase or something (have you seen my kale Caesar salad?) and I just had to use them for this […]

    Reply
  2. Chicken Pesto Paleo Pizza GF, DF – Kulinerz.asia | Tips & Tutorial Resep Masakan & Kue Nusantara Indonesia – Asia says:
    July 12, 2018 at 5:05 am

    […]  I happen to currently be in a little pine nut honeymoon phase or something (have you seen my kale Caesar salad?) and I just had to use them for this […]

    Reply
  3. Chicken Pesto Paleo Pizza {GF, DF} | Good Cookery says:
    July 12, 2018 at 5:59 am

    […]  I happen to currently be in a little pine nut honeymoon phase or something (have you seen my kale Caesar salad?) and I just had to use them for this […]

    Reply
  4. 16 Tasty Dinners You Can Make Your Family After Work | cupbord says:
    July 27, 2018 at 9:41 am

    […] paleorunningmomma.com […]

    Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Hi! I’m so happy you stopped by! My name is Michele and I’m a Paleo eater and recipe creator, runner, mom of 3, and the gal behind Paleo Running Momma! Over here you’ll find real-food, clean eating family favorites that you’ll be excited to share with your loved ones. I hope you stay awhile, eat, savor, and enjoy!

Read More

Free Recipes

Subscribe to email updates for new recipes delivered to your inbox!

Footer

Weeknight Ideas

M
Get the Recipe
One-Skillet Teriyaki Meatballs {Paleo, Whole30}
These easy one-skillet teriyaki meatballs are perfect for weeknights.
T
Get the Recipe
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken {Paleo, Whole30}
Packed with flavor and perfect over a sweet potato or greens!
W
Get the Recipe
Glazed Sheet Pan Chicken with Butternut Squash and Apples {Paleo, Whole30}
The perfect no-fuss, one-pan paleo and Whole30 dinner.
TH
Get the Recipe
“Breaded” Paleo Chicken Cutlets {Whole30}
Quick, simple, and perfect to make ahead of time!
F
Get the Recipe
Loaded Taco Sweet Potato Sliders {Paleo, Whole30}
Packed with flavor and perfect over a sweet potato or greens!

New Recipes

Delivered to your inbox!

Sign Me Up!
Instagram post 2193841794694245345_1125853061 Perfectly chewy paleo + vegan snickerdoodles - one of my absolute favorite cookies!  Packed with cinnamon, fun to bake and easy - tap the link in my profile to get to the recipe or find the swipe up link in my stories 🍪🎄❄️
#paleobaking #paleotreats #christmascookies #snickerdoodles #healthybaking #holidaybaking

https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/thick-chewy-paleo-vegan-snickerdoodles/
Instagram post 2192958971715046604_1125853061 I hope you’re baking this weekend!! Grain free and paleo SPRITZ COOKIES 🎄❄️are easier to make than you might think! 
Buttery sweet, simple, and tons of fun to decorate for the holidays.  Tap the link in my profile to get to the recipe or find the swipe up link in my stories 😄

https://
www.paleorunningmomma.com/spritz-cookies-paleo-gluten-free/
#paleobaking #paleotreats #cleantreats #christmascookies #healthycookies #healthybaking #holidaybaking
Instagram post 2192247082001395291_1125853061 Gingerbread season’s in full swing with a fudgy paleo gingerbread chocolate chip skillet cookie (or 2!) 🎄🍪
—

This skillet cookie is out-of-this-world delicious 🙌 Made with coconut flour and almond butter for the perfect dense, chewy texture, spiced just right and sweetened with coconut sugar and molasses. —

Coconut vanilla ice cream and dairy-free salted caramel to top makes this dessert perfectly decadent for the holidays or anytime!  Tap the link in my profile to get to the recipe or find the swipe up link in my stories 👍

https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/paleo-gingerbread-skillet-cookie/
#paleobaking #gingerbread #skilletcookie #cleantreats #healthybaking #paleotreats
Instagram post 2191507801167608352_1125853061 December is about to be full of treats!  Not really sorry for the Christmas cookie overload that’s about to happen 🍪🎄
—

These Paleo + Vegan Almond Butter Buckeye Cookies are a dream!  No bake almond butter cookie dough balls dipped in chocolate make this holiday favorite a hit with everyone.  Tap the link in my profile to get to the recipe or find the swipe up link in my stories 😄🍫 https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/buckeye-cookies-paleo-vegan/
#paleotreats #buckeyes #veganrecipes #vegandesserts
Instagram post 2190842597765224077_1125853061 Homemade thin mints are here 🎉🍫and I can’t WAIT for you all to try them! —

These healthy homemade thin mint cookies are out of this world delicious plus easy and fun to make!  Gluten free and paleo mint chocolate sugar cookies are dipped in silky dark mint chocolate to make the best mint chocolate covered cookies that everyone will love!  Tap the link in my profile to get to the recipe or find the swipe up link in my stories 😄🎄🍪 https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/homemade-thin-mint-cookies-paleo-gluten-free/
#paleobaking #paleotreats #glutenfreebaking #thinmints #christmascookies #healthybaking #cleantreats
Instagram post 2190120435680847855_1125853061 🎁𝙃𝙐𝙂𝙀 𝙂𝙄𝙑𝙀𝘼𝙒𝘼𝙔!!
I teamed up with 4 food bloggers and we each picked a kitchen essential we love to give away this week! That means there are 5 giveaways for $1,950 worth of amazing products!
—
Each item would be a fantastic addition to your kitchen or amazing Christmas present! We will be telling you about all of these incredible products and why we love them in our stories this week.
—-
For my item I chose my go-to @staub_usa cast iron 4-Qt cocotte which has a retail value of $407. Everyone needs this pot for cozy winter soups - it’s my favorite ❤️
—
HERE’S HOW TO ENTER:
1️⃣ Make sure you’re following me (@paleorunningmomma), @everylastbite_ @thetoastedpinenut @starinfinitefood @thewholecook
2️⃣ Tag 2 friends in the comments below to win the Staub cocotte
3️⃣ Head over to the other 4 bloggers feeds to enter their giveaways too!
—
1 comment = 1 entry and you can enter each giveaway as many times as you want!
—
One winner will be picked at random for each giveaway on Sunday December 8. Contest open to US applicants only. Good Luck!!
Instagram post 2189394863057128882_1125853061 New today! (PLUS A GIVEAWAY 🎉🎉!!) I teamed up with a few of my favorite real food bloggers to bring you 6 brand new holiday dessert recipes (including my new Gingerbread Bundt Cake!) AND a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card!
—
The Giveaway:

We’re giving THREE lucky winners a $100 Amazon gift card - here’s how to enter:

1️⃣ Like this photo
2️⃣ Make sure you’re following me (@paleorunningmomma) @thewoodenskillet @maryswholelife @realsimplegood @wholesomelicious and @realfoodwithjessica
3️⃣ Tag 3 friends in the comments (one entry per comment!) and comment on the other pages for additional entries. ———
3 winners will be selected at random.  Giveaway closes to new entries Wednesday December 4 at 11:59pm EST.  Good luck! —
Tap the link in my profile to get to all the new Paleo holiday dessert recipes including my Gingerbread Bundt Cake with Cinnamon Pecan Swirl.

Note: Giveaway is not sponsored by Instagram.  Participants must be at least 18 years old and reside in the United States or Canada. 
https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/gingerbread-bundt-cake-paleo/

#healthybaking #paleobaking #gingerbread #christmascookies #paleotreats
Instagram post 2188079252658135335_1125853061 Diving straight into Christmas cookies with these vegan and paleo double chocolate peppermint ones 🎄
—

These chewy cookies have rich flavor and perfect texture - No one would ever guess they’re grain free, dairy free, egg free and vegan!  Perfect for healthy holiday baking or whenever a mint chocolate craving strikes.  Tap the link in my profile to get to the recipe or find the swipe up link in my stories 😄🍪🍫 https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/double-chocolate-mint-cookies-paleo-vegan/
#paleocookies #vegancookies #christmascookies #paleobaking #paleotreats #glutenfreebaking #healthybaking
Follow on Instagram
Back To Top
© 2019 The Paleo Running Momma
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Policies
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design. Developed by Once Coupled.