This High-Protein Chick-fil-A Salad Is My New Favorite Lunch

Lunch has always been my least favorite meal to prepare. While I value a nutritious and convenient meal, it's tough to align that with the realities of a hectic schedule. Luckily, in the age of digital discovery, I'm constantly finding the latest tricks and life hacks on social media. So when I kept seeing a lunch-friendly Chick-fil-A salad hack pop up on my TikTok feed, I was naturally curious about it. The easy hack looked healthy, quick and was earning rave reviews—so it was a no-brainer for me to try it.

Related: Chick-fil-A Just Released the Recipe for Their Discontinued Chicken Salad—Here's How to Make It

The hack combines three elements of the Chick-fil-A menu into one satisfying lunch option. To order the hack for yourself, you'll need two Kale Crunch Side Salads, the eight-piece Grilled Nuggets and a packet of Zesty Buffalo Sauce. Let’s talk about what makes this salad so special.

First up, the foundation of the salad consists of two Kale Crunch Side Salads, a refreshing mix of kale and green cabbage, generously dressed with a vinaigrette made with apple cider and Dijon mustard. Each salad also comes with a pack of roasted almonds, which provide a nice crunchy element. The base is pretty nutritious on its own, loaded with eight grams of protein, eight grams of fiber and only three grams of saturated fats in total when combining the two sides. I love this salad because it’s fresh and filling—plus, it’s easy to recreate if I wanted to make it at home (try our Copycat Chick-fil-A Kale Salad). 

The true star, however, is the eight-count Grilled Nuggets, delivering both flavor and a generous serving of 25 grams of lean protein. For me, the protein alone makes these nuggets a winner, but their delicious flavor profile elevates the meal to the next level. These grilled nuggets have a smoky, slightly charred taste, with a hint of savory seasoning. The simplicity of the seasoning allows the chicken’s quality and grilling process to shine through. Adding these nuggets to the refreshing kale salad makes for a wholesome, delicious pairing. 

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The last element of this salad involves topping it all off with the Zesty Buffalo sauce. The salad comes pre-dressed, so this step can be optional if heat isn’t your thing. But for me, I love an extra kick of heat in any of my meals. When ordering, ask for an extra salad container on the side to combine all the ingredients and give it a good shake to ensure a punch of Buffalo sauce in each bite. 

The beauty of this Chick-fil-A salad hack lies in its swift preparation. Whether you order it at the restaurant or opt for takeout, you can count on this meal being ready in a flash. It’s a lifeline for days when time is of the essence and you crave a balanced, tasty meal without the fuss. So, if you’re looking to simplify your mid-day routine, this high-protein option might just be your new lunchtime hero.