Kale Caesar Salad (SweetGreen Copycat) (2024)

Created On: May 20, 2021&nbsp| Modified Jan 5, 2023 by Nancylynn &nbsp| This post may contain affiliate links. &nbsp| 7 Comments&nbsp| Jump to Recipe &nbsp

This yummy Kale Caesar Salad is the perfect SweetGreen copycat recipe that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own kitchen. A fresh mix of both kale and romaine lettuce, juicy chicken, crunchy Parmesan crisps, and tangy Caesar dressing will have your mouthwatering! A delicious and healthy option for lunch or dinner!

Kale Caesar Salad

I love a good salad – especially when someone else makes it for me. Anyone else feel this way? I get super antsy with all the chopping, etc, but I never miss the chance of ordering one while I am out – and one of my new favorites is the Kale Caesar Salad from SweetGreen. It’s so simple and yet full of so many delicious flavors! No boring salads around here!

The best part of this delicious salad is I can make it for myself at home with very minimal chopping and with the help of some store bought shortcuts like my favorite Primal Kitchen dressing! Winning!

In fact, it has become one of my go to lunches and easy weeknight dinners, especially during the summer months! There’s nothing better than a fresh, crisp salad on a hot summer day. I like to keep things light when the weather heats up and I love tossing up this salad for lunch, dinner, or even as a yummy side dish for a backyard get together.

Ingredients

This copycat SweetGreen Caesar Salad is so quick and easy to make and tastes exactly like the original right at home!

• baby kale – Crisp in cold water if needed. Dry well!
• romaine lettuce – Don’t forget to wash and dry very well – I use my Oxo Salad Spinner! It works amazing and it’s Max’s favorite way to help in the kitchen!
• prepped chicken breast – Make your chicken ahead of time – I love using my Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe– or use a rotisserie chicken to save time! Looking for something meatless? You can sub chickpeas or air fryer chickpeas in this yummy salad!
• Parmesan Whisps – Or the Parmesan cheese crisps of your choosing. There are tons of brands out there – even at Aldi and Trader Joe’s! I love the crunch and flavor of these cheese crisps and no need for croutons!
• Parmesan – I like to freshly shave off the Parmesan from a block of Parmigiano-Reggiano.
• grape tomatoes – Grape tomatoes have the best sweet, yet garden fresh flavor to them.
• Primal Kitchen Caesar dressing – Or sub your own homemade Caesar dressing! I just love that I can use something in a bottle for a shortcut and Primal Kitchen is gluten and dairy free and uses clean ingredients! If you need a good homemade Caesar, try this one from my friend Stephanie at the Foodie and the Fix!
• fresh lime juice– Don’t skip! This is the game changing ingredient that separates this Kale Caesar from the others!!

How to make this easy Kale Caesar Salad

Bright, crispy, and refreshing, this salad is perfect for lunch or dinner whether you’re on the go or savoring it on the sofa!

1. First prep your ingredients:

• Shred your freshly crisped and washed kale.
• Chop up the romaine.
• Slice your grape tomatoes in half for an easier bite sized addition.
• Prep your chicken. Cube, shred, dice, slice, however you prefer your chicken.

2. Next assemble your salads. Divide the prepared ingredients into four portions.

• Divide greens into 4 bowls (about 1 1/2 cups of greens per bowl)
• Add chicken and tomatoes, dividing evenly (about 3/4 cup of diced chicken and 1/2 cup of tomatoes)
• Add 8 Parmesan Whisps into each bowl
• Divide shaved parmesan among all the bowls
• Drizzle 2 tablespoons of dressing onto each bowl over the salads.
• Finish with a squeeze of lime over each bowl. I like to also garnish with a lime wedge, that way I can add more lime later if I’m feeling extra citrusy.

3. Serve and Enjoy!

What if I can’t find Parmesan Whisps or crisps?

You can actually make your own! If you’re having trouble finding these delicious salad add-ins (or if you’re just in the mood to experiment), you can make some right in the oven. I highly recommend a silicone baking sheet to avoid sticking and burning, but a parchment paper lined baking sheet works too. All you do have to do is preheat your oven to 400 degrees, drop spoonfuls of the Parmesan onto the baking sheet (pat down), and bake for about 3-5 minutes. Let cool, and voila! You’ve got your own Parmesan crisps to add that special crunch to your salad! They make a great snack too!

How do I store the Kale Caesar Salad?

If making ahead for lunch I would leave the dressing separate until ready to eat to avoid a soggy salad. The salad itself can be stored in an airtight container in your fridge for about 2-3 days. If you opt for a meatless salad, you can store it for about 6-7 days. This salad is great for meal prepping!

Searching For More Summer Salad Inspiration? Try One Of These!

Panera Green Goddess Salad

Lemony Arugula Salad with Shrimp

Easy Gluten-free Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Cucumber Tomato Salad with Avocado + Feta

Spinach and Strawberry Caprese Salad

Mason Jar Salad Recipes with Homemade Ranch