If youโre looking for a salad thatโs packed with flavor and health benefits, youโre in the right place! My Healthy Chicken Kale Salad is not only delicious, but itโs also super easy to make. With creamy tahini dressing, burst tomatoes, and crunchy chickpeas, this salad will have your taste buds dancing with joy! Ready to dig in? Letโs get started!
Ingredients for the Healthy Chicken Kale Salad
Letโs talk about the ingredients that make this Healthy Chicken Kale Salad a superstar! It’s all about fresh, vibrant flavors that come together to create a delicious dish. I promise you, once you gather these ingredients, you’ll be excited to whip it up!
Hereโs what youโll need:
- 5 cups of Tuscan kale (also called cavolo nero)
– Make sure to strip the leafy parts from the stem for a tender bite!
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
– This will help soften our kale and add a hint of richness.
- 1/4 red onion, very finely sliced
– For that little zing that pairs perfectly with the kale!
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
– Store-bought works great, but feel free to poach your own!
- 2 soft-boiled eggs (optional)
– They add a nice touch of creaminess and protein, but you can leave them out if you want!
- 1 1/2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
– These little bursts of juiciness will make your salad sing!
- 1 can (400g) chickpeas, drained
– Weโll spice these up for a crunchy surprise!
- Creamy tahini dressing:
– 4 tablespoons hulled tahini
– 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
– 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
– 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 large garlic clove (just one, or it might be overpowering!)
– Season with salt and pepper to taste!
Pro Tips:
- Fresh is best! Try to use fresh ingredients, especially the kale and tomatoes.
- Feel free to customize! Add your favorite veggies or even swap chicken for some roasted veggies if you want a vegetarian twist!
Once you have these ingredients, youโre all set to create something amazing! Trust me, the flavor and texture will make your taste buds dance with joy! Ready to get cooking? Letโs go!
How to Prepare the Tahini Dressing
Now that we’ve gathered all those fantastic ingredients, itโs time for the star of the show: the tahini dressing! Trust me, this dressing is what will bring all the flavors together in our Healthy Chicken Kale Salad. Itโs creamy, tangy, and oh-so-smooth! Letโs whip it up!
Hereโs what youโll need for the dressing:
- 4 tablespoons hulled tahini
– This is the magic ingredient! Make sure itโs hulled for a lighter flavor.
- 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
– Freshly squeezed is best! It really brightens up the dressing.
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
– For that extra richness.
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
– Because everything is better with cheese!
- 1 large garlic clove, peeled
– Just one clove will add a punch without being overpowering!
- Salt and pepper to taste
– Don’t skip thisโit enhances all the flavors!
Letโs make the dressing:
- Combine the Ingredients:
In a medium-sized bowl, add the tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, grated Parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Blend Away:
Use a stick blender to blitz everything together until itโs smooth and creamy! If you don’t have a stick blender, a regular blender works too. Just make sure to scrape down the sides.
- Adjust Consistency:
If the dressing is too thick, no worries! Just add a little water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach that perfect pourable consistency.
- Taste Test:
Give your dressing a little taste! It should be creamy and tangy with a hint of garlic. Adjust the salt, pepper, or lemon juice if you want it more zesty!
And there you have it! Your creamy tahini dressing is ready to take your salad from good to great! I always find myself sneaking a spoonful (or two) when I make it. Seriously, itโs that good! Now, let’s get ready to drizzle this deliciousness on our salad!
Roasting Burst Tomatoes and Crispy Chickpeas
Now weโre getting to the fun part! Letโs roast up some burst tomatoes and crispy chickpeas. These will add fantastic flavor and texture to our Healthy Chicken Kale Salad. Trust me, theyโre a game changer!
Hereโs What Youโll Need:
- 1 1/2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
– These little gems are perfect for bursting with flavor!
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
– Just a little drizzle to help them roast beautifully.
- 1/4 teaspoon cooking salt
– A pinch to season those tomatoes!
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
– For a subtle kick!
- 1 can (400g) chickpeas, drained but not dried
– We want them just wet enough to help the spices stick!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for chickpeas)
– This will make them extra crunchy!
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
– Adds a smoky flavor that youโll love!
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, onion powder, cooking salt, and black pepper
– These spices make the chickpeas pop with flavor!
Letโs Get Roasting:
- Preheat Your Oven:
Fire that oven up to 200ยฐC (425ยฐF)!
- Prepare the Tomatoes:
Toss the cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them out on a baking tray, ensuring they have space to roast up nice and evenly.
- Crispy Chickpeas Time:
On a separate tray, place your drained chickpeas. They should be slightly wet. Dry roast them for about 10 minutes first, then move to step four.
- Season and Roast:
Now, drizzle the chickpeas with olive oil. Sprinkle the spice mix over them, toss well, and return them to the oven alongside the tomatoes. Roast for 20-25 minutes, until the chickpeas are crispy and the tomatoes are wrinkly and bursting with flavor.
- Cool It Down:
Once done, let everything cool on the tray. Don’t handle the tomatoes just yet; they can be delicate. The kitchen will smell amazing, and youโll want to dive right in!
These roasted tomatoes and crispy chickpeas are truly delightful! I sometimes snack on the chickpeas right off the tray! Theyโre that good! Now, letโs take this mouthwatering creation and bring it all together in the next step!
Assembling Your Chicken Kale Salad
Now comes the moment weโve all been waiting forโassembling the Chicken Kale Salad! This is where all our delicious components come together for a beautiful and hearty meal!
Letโs Gather Everything:
- Soften the Kale:
Remember that kale we marinated earlier? Itโs time to give it some love! Grab those lovely leaves that have been massaged with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt.
- Add-Ins Ready:
Gather your shredded chicken, burst tomatoes, crispy chickpeas, and sliced red onion. Itโs all about putting those fresh flavors in one bowl!
Time to Toss It All Together:
- Start with the Kale:
Place the softened kale in a large mixing bowl. I like to give it a little shake just to fluff it up!
- Drizzle with Dressing:
Pour about two-thirds of that creamy tahini dressing over the kale. Toss it gently to coat every piece!
- Add the Goodies:
Now, throw in the shredded chicken, red onion, and most of the burst tomatoes (save a few for the top). Give everything a light toss so that every ingredient gets some love.
- Top It Off:
Finally, pile on those crispy chickpeas! They add fantastic crunch and texture. Drizzle any leftover tahini dressing over the top, and donโt forget a generous shower of freshly grated Parmesan!
- Dig In:
Serve it up in your favorite bowls. Whether you’re sharing with friends or keeping it all to yourself, this salad is sure to impress!
I canโt tell you how excited I get every time I take a bite. The flavors, the texturesโitโs a symphony in my mouth! So what are you waiting for? Grab your fork and enjoy your Healthy Chicken Kale Salad! You deserve it!