How Many Calories Are In Chick Fil A Kale Salad? | Quick Facts Now

One Kale Crunch Side from Chick-fil-A has 170 calories, including the vinaigrette and toasted almonds.

Calories In Chick-fil-A’s Kale Crunch Side — What Counts

The 170-calorie figure covers the kale and cabbage base, the apple cider–Dijon vinaigrette, and the packet of roasted almonds. Chick-fil-A lists this side at 112 g per serving with 12 g fat, 13 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 8 g sugar, and 4 g protein, which is a tidy profile for a fast-food side. You’ll find the full line-by-line panel on the brand’s Nutrition & Allergens page (look under Sides).

Why The Number Is Consistent

It’s a standardized build: chopped kale and cabbage, vinaigrette, and almonds. Since the side comes pre-portioned, the calorie count tends to stay tight across locations. Minor swings can happen if an extra pinch of almonds hits the bowl or a drizzle runs longer than usual, but the posted figure remains the best guide. The same page also shows the catering tray values, which line up with the recipe at a larger scale.

Quick Nutrition Snapshot (First 30%)

Item Serving Calories
Kale Crunch Side 112 g (with almonds & vinaigrette) 170
Kale Crunch Side Tray (Small) Per tray 1160
Kale Crunch Side Tray (Large) Per tray 2440
Waffle Potato Fries® (Medium) 125 g 420
Grilled Nuggets (8-count) 95 g 130

Swapping fries for the kale side trims 250 calories on the spot. All five numbers above are pulled from Chick-fil-A’s official nutrition lookup.

Portion, Dressing, And Almonds

The vinaigrette and almonds are built into the listing, so you don’t need to do math to account for them. If you prefer a lighter touch, you can go easy on the vinaigrette and save a few calories, though the official panel already assumes the standard mix. For shoppers who like to see menu-level labels at a glance, the brand’s menu sides page also shows the 170-calorie tag under the item.

Portions fit better once you set your daily calorie needs. This makes it simpler to decide when the kale side works as a stand-alone snack or as a smart trade for fries.

How The Kale Side Fits A Meal

This side earns its keep in two ways. First, it adds fiber that many fast-food meals lack. Second, it gives you a crunch fix without the fry calories. The 4 g of fiber in a small bowl helps with satiety. Pair it with lean protein and you’ll stay full without a heavy hit to your daily total.

Pair It With Lean Protein

Eight grilled nuggets bring 130 calories and 25 g protein, which lands a well-rounded 300-calorie combo with the kale side. That’s one reason Chick-fil-A highlights the pairing in its own healthy picks list.

Make A Simple Swap

Trading a medium fries for the kale bowl cuts 250 calories and adds fiber. Sodium stays reasonable too—250 mg for the side against 240 mg in the fries—so the calorie savings is the headline benefit.

Ingredients, Flavor, And Texture

The base is shredded kale and green cabbage. The vinaigrette leans apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard, so it’s tangy with a hint of sweetness. The toasted almonds add a buttery crunch. That texture mix—leafy, crisp, and nutty—makes it easy to choose this side when you want something fresh but still crave a satisfying bite.

What About Nutrients In Kale?

Kale brings vitamin K, vitamin C, and a bit of calcium per cup in raw form. The calorie panel for this menu item is what you’ll use for tracking, but the leafy base naturally carries those micronutrients. USDA references show kale as a strong source of vitamin K and a notable source of vitamin C.

Smart Orders: Combos And Calorie Math

Here are common pairings and what the totals look like when you add the kale side into the mix.

Order Calories Notes
Kale Crunch Side + 8-ct Grilled Nuggets 170 + 130 = 300 High protein, light overall.
Kale Crunch Side + Grilled Chicken Sandwich 170 + 390 = 560 Balanced meal with 28 g protein from the sandwich.
Kale Crunch Side + 8-ct Nuggets (fried) 170 + 250 = 420 Still trims calories vs fries.
Swap Medium Fries → Kale Side 420 → 170 Save 250 calories immediately.

When You Need More Food

If you’re hungrier, add grilled chicken and a fruit cup. You’ll keep the meal light, with fiber from greens and fruit and a steady protein hit. The fruit cup clocks in at 70 calories for a medium and plays well with the tangy vinaigrette.

Allergens And Custom Tweaks

The official chart lists the full nutrition line for the kale side and notes the kitchens use refined peanut oil elsewhere on the menu. The vinaigrette and almonds are included in the posted numbers. If you skip the almonds, texture changes the most. If you prefer even lighter, ask for a smaller splash of vinaigrette at the counter and dress to taste.

Comparing To The Old Superfood Side

Before the current build, Chick-fil-A offered a kale-based side with dried cherries, called the Superfood Side. Calorie counts for that item generally ranged from the mid-100s to around 170 depending on size. The new mix keeps the spirit—leafy greens with a tangy dressing—while streamlining ingredients. (Menu availability notes: the older item has been retired.)

How To Fit It Into A Day’s Intake

Think about the side as a flexible building block. On a light day, it can be your snack. With a grilled entrée, it becomes a balanced lunch. On a burger-and-fries day, it’s a smart trade that keeps your favorite entrée but calms the totals.

Three Simple Strategies

1) Use It As A Swap

Fries taste great, but if you’re after a lower-calorie plate, swapping them for the kale bowl keeps crunch on the tray and leaves room for dessert later.

2) Pair With Lean Protein

Grilled nuggets deliver plenty of protein for a small calorie spend. The 8-count pairing with the kale side is an easy 300-calorie template that fills you up without slowing you down.

3) Watch The Sauce

Dressings and sauces can move the needle. If you’re adding extras beyond the standard vinaigrette, glance at the nutrition list first. You’ll see big swings between creamy dressings and lighter picks, and it takes just a moment to steer toward the option that fits your plan.

FAQs You Don’t Need—Just The Answers You Came For

You asked about calories, so here’s the short list you can act on: the kale side is 170 calories as served, it pairs well with grilled chicken for a 300-calorie meal, and swapping it for fries saves 250 calories. The official page carries the numbers, and they’re easy to check any time you order online.

Bottom Line For Ordering

When you want something fresh and crunchy that still plays nice with your goals, this side is a strong pick. It’s light, it’s fiber-friendly, and it pairs well with the chain’s leanest proteins. If you’re tracking, log 170 calories for the side and build from there.

Want a fuller breakdown on weight-loss math? Try our calorie deficit basics for a clear step-through.