Red Cabbage Slaw with Chicken

This lightly dressed kale and cabbage slaw makes for a vibrant, easy Paleo meal!

Got leftover chicken? This easy slaw recipe is a great way to use it up. Shred the meat with two forks, then toss it with thinly sliced veggies in a Dijon dressing for a quick, easy, no-cook meal.

Start by making the dressing. You can use Dijon mustard without any salt or sugar, but since those are hard to find on the shelves of your grocery store, we recommend that you make your own.

You’ll need some time to whip up your own Dijon mustard, as it needs about 48 hours for the flavors to meld together. Fortunately, our recipe is made with simple ingredients that you probably already have in your cabinet, like white wine and turmeric.

Once you have your Dijon ready, mix it with a bit of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and water. Set aside.

Whole Roaster Herb Chicken

By Jennafer Ashley

Next, assemble your chicken and veggies in a large bowl. We used thin slices of red cabbage, shredded kale, red onion, julienned carrots, and parsley but you can use thin slices of any other veggies and herbs you might have on hand. Zucchini, cucumber, or even cilantro could work well here. Add the dressing and toss to combine.

Finally, add seeds to the slaw to lend a bit of extra crunch to your kale slaw. We used sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, but you could easily substitute in your favorite nuts if you prefer. Give the slaw a final toss and let it sit a few minutes to soften the kale.

Tip: If you want to add more garnishes, try lemon slices, avocado, toasted sliced almonds, red peppers, or even sliced apples for a little sweetness.

Note: You can find our homemade Dijon mustard recipe here.

Ingredients

1 tbsp homemade Dijon mustard (see note)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp water
2 cups shredded chicken
½ red cabbage, thinly sliced
1 bunch kale, stem removed and shredded
½ red onion, thinly sliced
2 carrots, julienned
⅓ cup parsley, chopped
2 ½ tbsp sunflower seeds
2 ½ tbsp pumpkin seeds
Cracked black pepper

Instructions

Prep the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and water until smooth. Set aside.
Place the chicken, cabbage, kale, onion, carrots, and parsley in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and toss until well combined.
Add the sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and cracked black pepper and toss again. Let the salad sit for a few minutes so the kale can soften a bit before serving.

For hundreds of pure Paleo recipes be sure to check out The Real Paleo Diet Cookbook and  The Real Paleo Diet Fast and Easy.

Vegan Buddha Bowl with Avocado Lime Dressing

By Jess Case

About The Author

Jess Case is a professional chef and baker, graphic designer, and craftsperson.

More About Jess

Paleo Leadership

Trevor Connor

Dr. Loren Cordain’s final graduate student, Trevor Connor, M.S., brings more than a decade of nutrition and physiology expertise to spearhead the new Paleo Diet team.

Dr. Mark J. Smith

One of the original members of the Paleo movement, Mark J. Smith, Ph.D., has spent nearly 30 years advocating for the benefits of Paleo nutrition.

Nell Stephenson

Ironman athlete, mom, author, and nutrition blogger Nell Stephenson has been an influential member of the Paleo movement for over a decade.

Dr. Loren Cordain

As a professor at Colorado State University, Dr. Loren Cordain developed The Paleo Diet® through decades of research and collaboration with fellow scientists around the world.

Home Paleo 101 Recipes Lifestyle Science Resources Contact

Keep up on the latest news, science, recipes, and lifestyle topics in The Paleo Diet®

Kale & Cabbage Slaw with Chicken

Even More Articles For You

Paleo vs Keto: What's the Difference?

What You Should and Should Not Eat on The Paleo Diet®

The Paleo Diet - What We’ve Learned in the Past 20 Years

Rainbow Popsicles

Strawberry-Lemonade Electrolyte Drink

Iced Lemon-Strawberry Yerba Maté

Defeating the Afternoon Energy Slump for Good

The Paleo Solution to the BRAT Diet

The 10 Best Natural Electrolyte Drinks for Everyday Hydration

Why It’s Important to Eat a Low-Glycemic Load Diet

Plant Protein vs. Animal Protein: What's the Difference?

3 Nutrient Ratios to Keep in Balance

The Paleo Diet® Partners with Where Food Comes From

Why Food Certification Matters

The Paleo Diet® Launches Food Certification Program

Kale & Cabbage Slaw with Chicken

Even More Articles For You