Warm Chicken, Apple & Kale Grain Bowls
with Feta, Dried Cranberries, Almonds & Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Milk
- Tree Nuts
Step aside, simple side salads—this hearty kale and grain bowl deserves center stage! We mix crisp kale with a warm grain blend of whole-grain rice, bulgur, and barley. Add in crunchy apple, briny feta, chewy dried cranberries, then toss it all in a tangy-sweet honey Dijon balsamic vinaigrette. Top your bowls with juicy seared chicken cutlets for a light but hearty dinner you’re going to want to make again and again.
Ingredients
1 cup
Feta Cheese
(Contains: Milk)
5 teaspoon
Balsamic Vinegar
8 ounce
Kale
1 ounce
Dried Cranberries
2 teaspoon
Honey
1 unit
Apple
10 ounce
Chicken Cutlets
2 teaspoon
Dijon Mustard
1 unit
Microwavable Grain Blend
1 ounce
Sliced Almonds
(Contains: Tree Nuts)
Not included in your delivery
1 teaspoon (tsp)
Cooking Oil
2 tablespoon (tbsp)
Olive Oil
teaspoon (tsp)
Salt
teaspoon (tsp)
Black Pepper
Nutrition Values
Utensils
Cooking Steps
• Drizzle oil in a hot pan. Add chicken*; cook until browned and cooked through, 3-5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
• In a large bowl, whisk together mustard, honey, and vinegar; slowly whisk in 2 TBSP olive oil (4 TBSP for 4) until creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
• Massage grain blend in package to separate grains. Partially open package; microwave until warmed through, 90 seconds. • Wash and dry produce. Remove and discard any large stems from kale; chop if desired. Halve, core, and dice apple into ½-inch pieces.
• Add kale and a pinch of salt to bowl with vinaigrette; using your hands, massage kale (similar to how you would knead dough) until leaves are tender, 1 minute. TIP: Don’t skip this step— massaging helps the kale leaves wilt slightly, lending a tender (never fibrous!) texture. • Stir in grain blend, apple, dried cranberries, cheese, and almonds. • Slice chicken crosswise; top salad with chicken and serve.
Chicken is fully cooked when internal temperature reaches 165°.
Customer reviews
Review summary
Updated on Dec 2025- Flavor: Many loved the combination of apples, kale, cranberries, and feta. Some found it bland; consider adding extra herbs or seasoning to the chicken 🍗.
- Ease of prep: Quick and easy to make, though some found removing kale stems time-consuming. Massaging the kale was a helpful tip for improving texture.
- Suggestions: Add more dressing for extra flavor and moisture. Consider sautéing the kale or mixing with other greens for variety.
- Portions: Generous servings, with plenty of kale. Some wished for more chicken or a better balance between ingredients.
- Texture: Customers enjoyed the variety of textures from crunchy apples, chewy cranberries, and tender grains.
Reviews from our home cooks
I adjusted this recipe because the kale was tough. No problem - I turned the salad into a cooked dish. Steamed the kale, added apple and cranberry. Before serving I sprinkled almonds and feta. It turned out very good.
I added an avocado because I had one and seasoned my chicken with salt and pepper, but this was SO DELICIOUS! I'd love to see more grain bowls in the future!
I loved the combination of apples, kale, cranberries, and feta. Very refreshing but not very filling
So good! It would be faster and much easier if the chicken was pre-cooked. I liked that the kale came in 2 bags so I have 2 lunches
Amazing, easy, and very very big portion. The leftovers did not keep well for eating the next day (which I expect for a grain bowl) so definitely have a big appetite if cooking this for 2.
Loved this. Quick but very hearty. Appreciate the note about massaging the kale. Never much cared for raw kale til now.
Honestly just a little more dressing would make this SPECTACULAR. With the grain it is just a little too dry in the end.
Fantastic for a quick lunch. Recommend adding some basil or other seasoning for the chicken.
I loved this recipe. It had everything I liked in it and was easy to make. Very tasty!
This has been a staple, now that HellFresh taught me how to make it. I regularly use the recipe card to make it myself. It is delicious and I feel so healthy after I consume it.
