last updated on October 29, 2026

It felt impossible to get a good picture of this salad, but let me tell you this wild rice and kale salad is incredible. It is filling, flavorful, and just so good. It’s all tossed in a cilantro lemon vinaigrette and will become your new favorite salad.

This salad was inspired by one of my favorite dishes at a local restaurant near me. It’s a little too good, and I figured I could save a lot of money if I started making it at home, so here we are! It’s also the perfect salad to meal prep. Kale is such a hearty green so it holds up well in the fridge with dressing on it.

ingredients needed for wild rice and kale salad

wile rice & kale salad

4 cups kale
1 cup wild rice, cooked
1 cup chicken, cooked
1 apple
1/2 avocado
1/4 cup almonds
1/4 cup craisins
1/4 cup goat cheese

balsamic lemon cilantro viinaigrette

1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp honey
1 clove of garlic
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup cilantro

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Ingredients

wile rice & kale salad

4 cups kale
1 cup wild rice cooked
1 cup chicken cooked
1 apple
1/2 avocado
1/4 cup almonds chopped
1/4 cup craisins
1/4 cup goat cheese

balsamic lemon cilantro viinaigrette

1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp honey
1 clove of garlic
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup cilantro

Instructions

If you aren't using pre-cooked wild rice, start cooking your wild rice according to package instructions.
Begin by making the dressing. Add all the ingredients to a blender or food processor — olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, honey, garlic, salt, pepper, and cilantro. Blend until combined and smooth.
Add the kale to a large bowl. Add a few tablespoons of the dressing and toss until well combined. Adding the dressing this early helps the kale soften and soak up the flavor.
Chop the apple and avocado into small pieces. If not already cut, chop the chicken into small chunks.
To assemble the salad, add the wild rice, chicken, apple, avocado, almonds, craisins, and goat cheese on top of the kale. Drizzle extra dressing on top and toss until everything is well combined. Enjoy!

What’d you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts or if you have any questions!