Spicy Kale Salad with Chickpeas & Maple Dijon Dressing

3.55 from 20 votes

Healthy kale, creamy chickpeas, and sweet maple syrup. Perfect!

spicy kale salad with chickpeas and maple dijon dressing

Recently, I’ve been pretty obsessed with chickpeas. Now that I realized they’re good for more than hummus, I’ve started putting them on everything. Spicing them up and eating them on a salad may be my new favorite way to enjoy them. They really make this spicy kale salad pop in a very healthily addictive way.

Really, there’s  nothing not to love about this salad. The chickpeas get a flavor boost via spicy cayenne and chili flakes, which combines perfectly with the spicy jalapenos in the salad. The carrots and red onion provide a sweet, crunchy flavor. And then there’s the nutritious kale – dressed in a maple dijon dressing, you won’t notice any of those naturally bitter flavors.

But, for me, it’s really all about those chickpeas in this spicy kale salad. Want to know why I love chickpeas so much? Read on and you’ll find out!

My Love Affair with Chickpeas

For a long time, I thought chickpeas were only good for hummus. I love hummus, don’t get me wrong, but I couldn’t see how you could enjoy chickpeas without whizzing them up in the food processor. Then, I had a restaurant salad topped with chickpeas and my whole worldview was forever changed.

These beans are anything but normal beans. Unlike other types of legumes, chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) maintain their form really well. They have a buttery texture and a nutty flavor with a slightly grainy, chewy exterior. They’re a perfect counterbalance to super crunchy ingredients like kale, carrots, and carrots.

The other reason I love them? They’re super nutrient dense. One cup of chickpeas contains 14.5 grams of protein, making it perfect for meatless salads and stews. They’re also are high in fiber, calcium, potassium, zinc, and folate. Basically, they’re delicious and also happen to be good for you, all at the same time!

You can make them from scratch by soaking dried chickpeas overnight and simmering them in water the next day. Or, you can get them pre-cooked in a can – just make sure to look for low-sodium varieties. Both canned and dried chickpeas last about 1 year in the pantry, so stock up and use them often!

Maple Dijon Dressing

While I think the chickpeas are kind of the star in this spicy kale salad, I also really appreciate the simplicity of the maple dijon dressing. It’s the perfect way to accentuate the fresh flavors in this salad without covering them up too much. There’s a subtle fruitiness to the dressing from the apple cider vinegar. In addition to its many nutritional benefits, apple cider vinegar also tastes delicious. Lately, it’s my go-to vinegar for everything from salad dressing to drinking shrubs.

Then, add in the Dijon mustard to thicken up the dressing. Dijon is a perfect replacement for your standard yellow mustard for a few reasons. First of all, it’s usually gluten-free. Unlike yellow mustard, Dijon usually does not use any flour to thicken up the condiment. Second of all, it’s a little bit spicier than standard mustard. This is a nice way to bring out flavors, especially in a salad dressing.

Finally, there’s the maple syrup. This stuff isn’t only for breakfast! It’s a delicious sweetener and a nice replacement for white sugar or honey. It’ll add a nice sense of depth to your cooking, so don’t be afraid to use this ingredient! I would definitely recommend using 100% maple syrup, which doesn’t have any corn syrups or added sugars.

Bring it all together with some fresh orange zest and you’ll find that this sweet maple Dijon dressing is the perfect compliment to this spicy kale salad. But don’t take our word for it – give it a try! I hope you’ll let us know what you think in the comments below.

3.55 from 20 votes

Spicy Kale Salad with Chickpeas & Maple Dijon Dressing

This salad is a beautiful combination of healthy ingredients and sweet and tangy flavors.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Yield 3 people
Serving Size 2 cups salad with 3 teaspoons dressing
Course Dinner, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine American

Ingredients

For the Salad

  • 15 ounces chickpeas can, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 3 cups kale roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup carrots shredded
  • 1/2 cup red onion sliced into thin strips
  • 1 jalapeno pepper sliced into thin strips (for extra spice, use a habanero pepper!)

For the Dressing

  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest

Instructions

For the Salad

  • In a medium bowl, combine the chickpeas, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes. Toss well to coat the chickpeas in the spices.
  • In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas and the remaining salad ingredients. Toss well to combine and place the mixed salad into serving bowls. Drizzle with about 3 teaspoons of dressing and serve.

For the Dressing

  • Combine all ingredients and whisk well. Let sit for 5 minutes. Give the dressing a quick stir before drizzling over the salad.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2cups salad with 3 teaspoons dressing | Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 447mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 18g |
SmartPoints (Freestyle): 10
Keywords Budget-Friendly, dairy-free, Gluten-Free, Plant-Based, Quick and Easy, Vegetarian

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Chef Nichole

Nichole has a culinary degree from Great Lakes Culinary Institute and has worked in the culinary industry for 10 years. She also has the knowledge to write recipes using the most nutritious, fresh, and balanced ingredients. Nichole enjoys creating healthy and tasty recipes anyone can prepare, no matter their cooking skill level.

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3 Comments

  1. Much to my delight, my whole family enjoyed this dish. I omitted the cayenne and red pepper flakes to keep it more mild for my kiddos. I also used spinach since I did not have kale on hand. The fresh jalapeño gives it that wonderful edge. This delicious salad is perfectly fresh for summer and will DEFINITELY be made again in our house!!

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