Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad with Hot Honey Chickpeas
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Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad with Hot Honey Chickpeas
When it comes to putting together all of the best fresh summer-ready produce, this Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad with Hot Honey Chickpeas has all of the charm that you need for the entire family! Enjoy the ease and simplicity of this salad as well as the delicious flavor, bold colors, and nutrients with a variety of ingredients like green kale, hot honey chickpeas, lemon zest, croutons, parmesan, etc. Entirely Vegetarian. Dairy-Free, Vegan, Gluten-Free, + Make ahead options.
I don't know about you, but kale salad is truly my go-to of all times kind of salad. There's just something texture wise that compliments the rest of the ingredients whenever using kale. Plus, it holds up so well and it's just versatile. Anyway, when it comes to this Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad with Hot Honey Chickpeas specifically------I won't deny it. It's just THAT GOOD! I just love how fresh the flavors are and the use of zesty lemon with the sweet and spicy chickpeas are just incredible.
If you're fan of hot honey like I am, then you'll love my previous creations like Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts, Crispy Southern Hot Honey Fried Chicken and Southern Hot Honey Cauliflower Bites where were huge hits, but I wanted to craft something a tad healthier and versatile. This salad can be enjoyed by adults/kids, + used for meal prepping, and more. It's perfect for all occasions, especially during the Spring and Summer months.
The spiciness delivers just the right amount of kick, and with its relatively quick cooking time, this easy kale salad is a lifesaver for those hectic weeknight dinners or lunch moments. The sticky sauce bursts with flavor, making it a love-at-first-bite experience you won't forget----even without the meat! It's packed with protein that adds both depth to your dishes and nutritional goodness to a simple salad. So, if you're looking for something that balances ease and flavor, this hot honey chickpeas kale salad has got you covered!
Why You Will LOVE This Sweet + Spicy Lemon Parmesan Chickpea Salad
- Best of both worlds ---- Combines the flavors of hot honey with the fresh, vibrance of lemon parmesan!
- Light yet filling ---- Great for lunch or dinner.
- The perfect balance of tangy, sweet, spicy + savory notes.
- Travel-friendly --- Ideal for bringing to BBQs, picnics, or potlucks, especially with Summer plans.
- Totally customizable! Easily made to be gluten-free + vegan + meat hearty.
Whether you make this one or my Best Buffalo Chickpea Kale Salad or my Roasted Cauliflower Green Goddess Salad or my newly obsessed Green Goddess Pasta Salad, you really can't go wrong. The flavors aren't lacking in either choice.
Why and How to Massage Kale
When it comes to massaging kale, it's usually recommended because kale is known for being tough and fibrous, which makes it sometimes hard to chew and digest. However, massaging the kale softens it a great deal and helps the flavors to be more pronounced which works hand in hand with the other ingredients.
My easy method to massage kale is to add the de-stemmed and chopped kale to a large bowl and then drizzling it with 1-2 tsps of lemon juice or Extra virgin olive oil and using your clean hands, rubbing the leaves together gently for about 2-3 minutes. They should look glossy and slightly reduced in volume when massaging is achieved.
How To Make Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad with Hot Honey Chickpeas
When it comes to crafting the perfect Hot Honey Chickpea Kale Salad with Tangy Lemon Parmesan Flavor there are four essential steps to follow:
- First, it all starts with making your croutons. You can easily whip together your own croutons using stale bread and a few ingredients or purchase a premium premade version.
- Then it's about prepping + massaging the kale. For the best chew and digestion, I highly recommend doing this step every time you make a kale salad.
- The heart of this recipe – is the hot honey chickpeas (more on how to make that soon). This is where the magic happens, and the flavors truly come to life just by sautéing it over the stovetop in the matter of minutes.
- Finally, drizzle this simple, vibrant lemon dressing over your kale salad with chickpeas and wallah. That's when the real YUM moment takes place and you get to enjoy all of the bursts of flavors [lemon, sweet, spicy, + herby] hitting you at once.
Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad with Hot Honey Chickpeas Ingredients
The Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad adds amazing lightness + vibrance, while the sautéed hot honey chickpeas bring a crunchy, tender sweet and spicy bite. Just be sure to prep them ahead or alongside the salad—it’s so worth it! Here's what you need:
- Olive oil. Use a nice high-quality extra-virgin olive oil to sauté the chickpeas and massage the kale. You can substitute with avocado oil, grapeseed oil, etc.
- Herbs + Seasonings. A great addition of flavor. You can purchase my On Everything All-Purpose Blend for the greatest ease and authentic flavor.
- Hot honey. The primary sweetener with a spicy element for the sauce, contributing a beautiful balance. You can make this from scratch or use my faves: Mike's Hot Honey or Nature Nate's for a premade versions).
- Smoked paprika. Enhances the smoky flavor in the sauce.
- Chickpeas. I like to use canned garbanzo beans for ease—just drain + rinse. Though you could also cook dried beans.
- Kale. Be sure to chop your kale leaves well into bite-sized pieces. No one likes feeling like they have to chew for 5 minutes to get through a tough leaf of kale! If you prefer a different leafy green, you can use spinach, romaine, butter lettuce, or another favorite salad base. For an extra touch, I chose to roast my kale for a nice crisp!
- Lemon. One of the highlights of this salad. You'll need both the zest + juice of a lemon.
- Croutons. You can use premium store-bought croutons or easily whip together your own homemade version using a handful of ingredients. See my Homemade Croutons recipe.
- Organic raw honey. The primary sweetener for the dressing, contributing a natural sweetness.
- Parmesan. I love to freshly-grated or "shave" (using a veggie peeler) my cheese, however, you can grab it premade by my faves: BelGioioso. Can also use your favorite dairy-free shredded brand from my go-to brand Violife cheese---which tastes great.
What Are Good Ingredients to Add to a Salad?
Although this Easy Kale Salad with Lemon Parmesan + Spicy Hot Honey Chickpeas is simple yet flavorful----if you're looking to take it to the next level, have fun tossing in your favorite salad toppers. I especially love the following ingredients with the kale and sweet-spicy hot honey flavors in this recipe:
- Beans + legumes (i.e. black beans, kidney beans, etc.)
- Other greens (i.e. spinach, lettuce, mixed greens, arugula, mustard greens, etc.)
- Chicken, shrimp, steak, and salmon (if you're a meat eater)
- Vegan meatballs or vegan chick'n
- Bacon, chopped
- Cauliflower, roasted
- Tofu, mushrooms, tempeh, etc. (Great meat alternatives)
- Nuts + seeds
- Baked tortilla or pita chips
- Cheese, either regular or plant-based (feta cheese would be especially nice in this salad)
- Grains like farro, quinoa, couscous, etc.
- Boiled or poached eggs
- Shredded carrots
- Edamame, peas, etc.
- Roasted veggies (i.e. asparagus, potatoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini, butternut squash, etc.)
Truly, the list is never-ending. This is a great make-ahead vegetarian meal that you can use whatever is in the fridge or pantry!
Why Chickpea? Any Health Benefits?
For those of you who aren’t aware, another name for Chickpeas are Garbanzo Beans. Despite the most recent craze, chickpeas have been around for thousand of years and originate from the Middle East.
Chickpeas have such a great texture and nutty flavor, which allows them to successfully pair well with a lot of other ingredients, especially in vegan and/or vegetarian recipes.
When it comes to the health benefits of Chickpea, here a few awesome reasons why you should probably add this simple ingredient to your diet more often:
- Packed with Nutrients + have a moderate amount of calories!
- Rich in Plant-Based Proteins!
- Support Blood Sugar Control.
- Full of Fiber + might aide digestion.
- May protect against Chronic Diseases (such as heart Disease, Cancer, Diabetes, etc.)
- May Help keep your appetite under control (Think about how protein + fiber helps to slow down digestion, therefore keeping you full longer!).
How to Make Homemade Croutons
This Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad is easy to throw together, but if you'd love additional texture + crunch croutons are a great addition! While you might think that it's so hard to make----I'm here to show you just how easy it is, using the following ingredients:
- Rustic bread, cubed into ¾ inches
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Dried parsley
- Salt + Black pepper
How To Make Homemade Hot Honey Sauce?
Heat a medium 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Melt the butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes). Add honey, cayenne pepper, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Stir until the sauce becomes smooth and thick. Remove from heat, and you're left with a delicious homemade hot honey sauce. Enjoy! See my Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts recipe for full measurements, etc.
Can I Make This Hot Honey Chickpeas Less Spicy?
Absolutely-- if you're not a fan of spice or if you're preparing this chickpea kale salad for little ones who prefer milder flavors, don't worry—I've got you covered. You can easily adjust or omit the spicy ingredients like cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, and chili powder when whipping together the hot honey sauce from scratch to make it perfect for everyone at the table.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS SALAD!
Here, I’ve curated a list of baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods, especially with this Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad with Hot Honey Chickpeas recipe. Everything from my fave skillet pans, wooden spoons, parchment paper, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
How to Make Chopped Salad with a Food Processor
For greater ease, you can easily make this kale salad a chopped salad by chopping your ingredients in a food processor for the perfect bite. I suggest first starting with solely the kale leaves once they are de-stemmed. Add them to your food processor and pulse for a few seconds before they are too minced. Then remove those chopped greens and place them into a bowl. Then do the same for the croutons and add them in with the kale.
Once chopped, simply follow the recipe for the hot honey chickpeas and dressing.
Other Greens to Use
Not into just kale alone? Here are some tasty swaps or add-ons that still pair perfectly with the lemony vibrant flavor:
- Mustard Greens
- Microgreens
- Roasted asparagus
- Grilled or roasted zucchini
- Spinach (fresh or lightly wilted)
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Roasted fennel
Feel free to mix and match—whatever greens you’ve got on hand!
What to Serve with Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad with Hot Honey Chickpeas
You can enjoy this Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad with Hot Honey Chickpeas on its own as a nice lunch or dinner. Or, if you'd like to add additional protein to round out your meal, add crispy tofu or nuts to keep things plant-based. If you're not vegetarian or vegan, you can add seared or roasted salmon, Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders or Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp or leftover shredded chicken.
If you're offering this salad as a side dish, I personally love it paired with a hearty and warming entree like Creamy Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup, Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup, Roasted Carrot Soup + Cheesy Croutons, or Easy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. For a hearty bite, I enjoy this salad with the following meals also: Southern Hot Honey Fried Chicken, Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta, Southern-Style Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Pan Seared Steak, or Weeknight Creamy Chicken Alfredo.
Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad with Hot Honey Chickpeas Common Q+A's
Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days, depending on the ingredients. Always determine the ingredients in your salad and keep it no longer than the shelf life of your fastest-spoiling ingredient.
Absolutely! The hot honey chickpeas and croutons can be made up to 2 days beforehand and stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. The dressing can be made and refrigerated in a separate airtight container. The kale can be chopped up to 30 minutes before serving.
Yup! If preferred, you can always add greens like Romaine lettuce, Arugula, Mustard Greens, Microgreens, Spinach or Collard Greens to this salad for added flavor + texture.
To make this salad GF-friendly, just ensure that the hot honey as well as the bread used for the croutons (or store-bought croutons) are gluten-free.
Of course! Simply omit the hot honey and raw honey and substitute with maple syrup. You can use my Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts recipe and substitute with maple syrup for a "hot honey similar" sauce. Also, substitute the parmesan cheese with a great dairy-free option like Violife.
Totally. Grilled chicken, roasted tofu, hard-boiled eggs, or even canned tuna work great here if you want to make it extra filling and you aren't restricted to a meatless diet. For vegan options, you can add other beans, lentils, nuts + seeds, etc.
Once the dressing is added to your favorite mason jar or tightly sealed container, you can refrigerate it for 3-4 days for optimal freshness. At most, up to 5 days!
Yes! Yes! You can use my 5-minute Caesar Dressing, Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing, Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing, or Vegan Ranch Dressing are great choices!
Of course! You can easily make my Roasted Chickpeas and then toss them in the hot honey sauce over the stovetop for an amazing crispiness.
More Delicious Vibrant Summer Recipes to Try!
Now that you're on a vibrant, flavorful twist with this chickpea kale salad recipe, give these recipes that your entire family will love a try next this summer:
- Green Goddess Pasta Salad
- Traditional Southern Iced Sweet Tea
- Southern Strawberry Banana Pudding
- Peach Cobbler Milkshake
- Candied Frozen Sour Grapes
- Grilled Chicken Avocado Sandwich
- BBQ Chicken Peach Chopped Salad
- Tacos Al Pastor with Ground Turkey
- Cinnamon Sugar Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
- S’Mores Overnight Oats
- Creamy Roasted Chickpeas and Avocado Salad
- Spicy Watermelon Salad
- Chicken Birria Grilled Cheese
- My Fave Birria Tacos
Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad with Hot Honey Chickpeas
Ingredients
HOT HONEY CHICKPEAS:
- 1 (15 oz.) can organic chickpeas, drained + rinsed
- 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup hot honey, store-bought or homemade (See Post details for homemade)
- 1 teaspoon On Everything All-Purpose Blend (You can purchase my On Everything All-Purpose Blend for authentic flavor or make your own blend----See Notes)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Sea salt, to taste
SALAD:
- 2 bunches organic kale, de-stemmed + roughly chopped (You can use green or red or both)
- 2 tsps lemon zest
- 1 cup croutons, homemade or store-bought
- 2 cups freshly-shaved parmesan cheese
SIMPLE LEMON DRESSING:
- ¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon, freshly-squeezed (That's about 1 teaspoon of lemon juice)
- 1 teaspoon organic raw honey
- Sea salt + black pepper to taste
Instructions
TO MAKE THE CROUTONS:
- Follow my recipe on How to Make Homemade Croutons using a handful of simple ingredients that taste better than the store-bought version you're use to enjoying!
TO MAKE THE HOT HONEY CHICKPEAS:
- In a medium skillet (10-inch) over medium-high heat, add the olive oil until heated. Add the chickpeas followed by: On Everything All-Purpose Blend, smoked paprika, and salt, stirring to combine. Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add in the hot honey, stirring until chickpeas are coated. Reduce the heat to low and allow everything to simmer for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once done, the sauce should be "cooked unto" the chickpeas.
TO MAKE THE SIMPLE LEMON DRESSING:
- In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and honey until combined. Add salt + black pepper to taste. Set aside.
CHOP + MASSAGE KALE:
- Strip the leaves from 2 large bunches kale and discard the stems if you haven't already. Roughly chop the leaves and add them to a large bowl. Drizzle about 1-2 tsps of lemon juice or olive oil atop chopped kale and using clean hands, rub together the kale gently for about 2-3 minutes to soften the leaves and help to infuse the 'flavors' of the kale.
ASSEMBLE THE SALAD:
- In a large serving plate or salad bowl, add the chopped kale followed by the croutons, hot honey chickpeas, shaved parmesan, and lemon zest.
- To serve, add the salad to your favorite bowl(s), drizzle with the simple lemon dressing and enjoy!
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days, depending on the ingredients. Always determine the ingredients in your salad and keep it no longer than the shelf life of your fastest-spoiling ingredient.
- MAKE AHEAD: The hot honey chickpeas and croutons can be made up to 2 days beforehand and stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. The dressing can be made and refrigerated in a separate airtight container. The kale can be chopped up to 30 minutes before serving.
- HERB ROASTED TOMATOES: For an additional topping, see the recipe: tap this link.
- GREENS: If preferred, you can always add greens like Romaine lettuce, Arugula, Mustard Greens, Microgreens, Spinach or Collard Greens to this salad for added flavor + texture.
- HOT HONEY: For the best store-bought option, I highly recommend Mike's Hot Honey!
- HOMEMADE ALL-PURPOSE BLEND: 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, + 1 teaspoon dried parsley.
Nutrition
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