Parmesan Tahini Kale Salad with Breadcrumbs and Crunchy Chickpeas. (2024)

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Parmesan Tahini Kale Salad with Breadcrumbs and Crunchy Chickpeas – not your average salad. Super green curly kale tossed generously with the creamiest tahini parmesan dressing then topped with a generous helping of garlicky breadcrumbs and extra crunchy, spicy chickpeas. It’s a simple salad, but one that will leave you craving it regularly. The secret lies in the dressing (it’s so special). And those crunchy chickpeas really seal the deal. Together they’ll make you say, yummmmy.

I was almost going to go through all of January without sharing a single salad. This is something crazy unusual for me. Most Januarys I load up on the salad recipes in an effort to share lighter recipes. This year has been a little different. I shared cozier, yet still very wholesome, healthy recipes. Lots of curries, big vegetable-filled bowls, and healthy banana bread too.

But today I have a salad – finally! And it might just be my favorite salad I’ve created. It’s inspired by a Caesar salad, but oh so much better.

I just love this recipe, and I know it’s going to be on repeat all year long. It’s the perfect salad to serve alongside your favorite family dinners or even to enjoy as dinner itself.

The idea came from a random video of tahini being poured over cauliflower. The tahini overtop of the roasted cauliflower looked incredible. Like so incredible.

You would think this would have inspired a cauliflower recipe. But for whatever random reason that’s not where my head went.

Instead, I went to kale salad, the most basic kale salad, but with so much tahini dressing, garlicky crumbs, and spicy, CRUNCHY chickpeas.

Three important elements. All simple. All so delicious.

Details

Chickpeas first. Toss them on a sheet pan with olive oil, chili powder, and paprika. I’ll sometimes add a pinch of onion and garlic powder too, then salt.

Bake these up until they’re crisp, then add Parmesan and bake until they’re very crunchy. This is key. The parmesan should become crunchy too.

During the same time, bake the Panko crumbs with olive oil, garlic, and pine nuts. Baking the crumbs instead of toasting them on the stove is so much simpler and mess-free. It’s also healthier since you’ll use less oil/butter.

While everything is baking, mix the dressing. Sometimes I use the food processor, sometimes just a jar, but either way, everything gets mixed until creamy.

Olive oil, tahini, lemon, dijon, Worcestershire, garlic salt, peppers, and parmesan. This dressing is very heavy on the tahini, which is the idea. It’s so addicting with the parmesan mixed in.

Toss the kale very well with the dressing. Then add more parmesan cheese, the warm breadcrumbs, and then the warm chickpeas.

Add everything in while still warm is kind of the secret. The warmth from the crumbs and beans melts the cheese and creates the butteriest, creamiest salad. It’s hard to explain, you just have to try it!

I debated calling this a Caesar because the dressing feels so similar, but honestly, this is better than any Caesar salad. Healthier too, so we can all appreciate that.

ENJOY, this really is a favorite!

Looking for other colorful salads? Here are some options:

Kale Bacon Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts

Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken Avocado Orzo Salad

Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken and Avocado Bacon Salad

Lastly, if you make this Parmesan Tahini Kale Salad with Breadcrumbs and Crunchy Chickpeas, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!