Superfood Salad

This hearty salad from Chef Sarah Russo of Chicago-based Salad Club is plenty filling without the chicken, so leave it out if you like. The chickpeas can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container with a paper towel at the bottom.

Superfood Salad
Photo: Carson Downing
Hands On Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
4

Ingredients

  • 1 15 ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra

  • Kosher salt

  • Black pepper

  • 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast

  • 4 cups broccoli florets

  • 6 cups lacinato kale (1 bunch), stems and center ribs removed, leaves cut into thin ribbons

  • 1 cup shredded carrots

  • cup dried apricots, thinly sliced

  • ½ cup dried blueberries

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

  • ½ cup hemp hearts

  • "Creamy" Poppyseed Dressing (below)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°. Place chickpeas on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper; toss to coat and spread evenly. Roast until browned and crisp, 30 to 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

  2. Meanwhile, use a meat mallet to pound chicken breast to an even thickness. Season generously with salt and pepper. Heat a greased grill pan over medium. Grill chicken until lightly browned and no longer pink, 8 minutes, turning once after 4 minutes. (Or place on an unheated broiler pan. Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat 8 minutes, turning once after 4 minutes.)

  3. While chickpeas and chicken cook, cook broccoli in a medium saucepan in salted boiling water 1 to 2 minutes; drain broccoli in a colander and immediately rinse under cold running water. Drain well.

  4. Place kale in a large bowl and drizzle with a tiny bit of olive oil, about 1 teaspoon. Massage kale with your hands until it darkens by a shade and volume has reduced slightly, 3 to 5 minutes.

  5. To assemble salad: On a platter or four plates, arrange kale, broccoli, carrots, apricots, blueberries, cilantro, parsley and chickpeas. Slice chicken and add to salad. Sprinkle with hemp hearts. Serve salad with "Creamy" Poppyseed Dressing.

"Creamy" Poppyseed Dressing

In a food processor or blender, combine 1/3 cup water, 1/4 cup raw cashews, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon dried apricots, 1 1/2 teaspoons pure maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Process until creamy. Add 1/2 teaspoon poppyseeds; pulse once or twice to combine. Refrigerate until needed.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

583 Calories
24g Fat
60g Carbs
38g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 583
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 24g 31%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 62mg 21%
Sodium 526mg 23%
Total Carbohydrate 60g 22%
Total Sugars 32g
Protein 38g
Vitamin C 168mg 839%
Calcium 348mg 27%
Iron 7mg 39%
Potassium 1459mg 31%
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