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Lemony Kale and Chickpea Salad

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This salad is super simple, but oh so good. Kale and chickpeas are married with a bright lemon dressing for a flavorful and nutritious salad.

bowl of simple kale salad with lemon, chickpeas and Parmesan cheese.

This simple salad is packed full of nutrition. With a simple lemon and olive oil dressing, it is a perfect summer side.

Unlike most salads, it is actually better if it has a while to sit in the dressing making it a perfect make ahead for entertaining as well. All you have to do at meal time is toss and serve!

bunch of fresh curly kale.

During this time of year, our CSA boxes are heavy on greens including a generous bunch of curly kale. Usually I cook kale in things like soup, on zuppa inspired pizza, even in sausage and kale quiche or baked into chips.

However as hot as it’s been and as busy as we’ve been with my brother’s wedding and sister’s graduation I thought a kale salad would be a nice change.

CSA box filled with fresh greens, cucumbers, radishes, squash, kohlrabi, and more.

Normally the kale salads I’ve had use a sweet dressing and dried fruit to balance out the kale. I wanted to try something different this time though.

We were planning to grill up some lemon and yogurt marinated chicken, so this simple salad dressed with lemon and olive oil called to me.

Making Kale Salad

While kale has a reputation for being a bit tough and slightly bitter, you can easily combat that with a little planning. First, be sure to remove the ribs.

Then go ahead and run your knife through it to chop it relatively finely. While this is discouraged with more delicate greens, it is encouraged with kale!

bowl of chopped, dressed and massaged kale.

Also, go ahead and dress the salad a few hours ahead in you can. The prolonged exposure to the lemon juice, oil and salt help make for a milder texture and flavor in the kale and you don’t have to worry about soggy salad.

I encourage you to try this bright and fresh salad with your next bunch of kale as well. Meanwhile in case we get more kale next week, what are your favorite summer kale recipes?

More great salad recipes:

bowl of simple kale salad with lemon, chickpeas and Parmesan cheese.

Lemony Kale and Chickpea Salad

Carlee
This salad is super simple but oh so good. Kale and chickpeas are married with a bright lemon dressing for a flavorful and nutritious salad.
5 from 6 ratings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Salads
Cuisine American
Servings 10 Servings
Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 bunch kale
  • 2 cans chickpeas
  • 4 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • pinch red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Remove leafy green parts of kale from the stems. Discard stems and chop leafy part relatively finely.
    1 bunch kale
  • Place chopped kale in a big bowl and drizzle in lemon juice and olive oil. Season with garlic powder, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Vigorously toss to coat kale in dressing. I like using my hands for this to make sure it is really coated.
    4 Tablespoons olive oil, 4 Tablespoons lemon juice, ½ teaspoons garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, pinch red pepper flakes
  • Drain chickpeas and toss with greens. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours before serving in possible.
    2 cans chickpeas
  • Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and toss before serving.
    ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Leftovers hold up well for a couple of days covered in the refrigerator.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 4gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 83mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g
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Recipe Rating




Anne

Tuesday 10th of July 2018

I am in a CSA too, I love all of the fresh veggies. The only difference is that I can pick out my veggies. And this salad sounds delicious!

Caroline

Monday 9th of July 2018

We have had a vegetable box delivered for years and it has helped me be better about trying things I might not otherwise. This sounds tasty with the lemon dressing.

Karen

Sunday 8th of July 2018

Thanks for the inspiration for joining a CSA. I've seen it mentioned in blogs, but your description has inspired me to look into it. Great salad too. Love the make ahead idea.

Jolene

Sunday 8th of July 2018

I've been eating lots of chickpeas lately, but have yet to try kale. This looks like the perfect way to do it!

Books n' Cooks

Sunday 8th of July 2018

I need to share this recipe with my brother - his garden is overflowing with kale.