Chickpea Apple Broccoli Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing Recipe

Introduction

This Chickpea Apple Broccoli Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing is a vibrant and refreshing dish perfect for any meal. Packed with crunchy vegetables, sweet apples, and a tangy, flavorful dressing, it offers a delightful combination of textures and tastes.

A white plate holds a colorful mixed salad with several layers: bright green broccoli florets and chopped leafy herbs form the base, thin orange carrot sticks are scattered on top, creamy beige chickpeas add bulk, and dark purple dried fruits bring contrast. Small brown nuts are sprinkled throughout, and diced light green vegetables add texture. A silver fork rests on the right side of the plate. The plate is on a white marbled texture surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 head broccoli, very finely chopped
  • 1 (15 ounce) can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups diced honeycrisp apples (from about 2 medium honeycrisp apples)
  • 1 cup shredded carrots (or 1 cup matchstick cut carrots)
  • ⅓ cup diced green onion
  • ⅓ cup dried cherries
  • ⅓ cup chopped pecans
  • ½ cup chopped flat leaf parsley
  • For the dressing:
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • ½ tablespoon honey
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste
  • To garnish:
  • Extra cherries and pecans

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the finely chopped broccoli, chickpeas, diced apples, shredded carrots, green onion, dried cherries, chopped pecans, and chopped parsley. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the dressing.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, and a pinch of freshly ground salt and pepper until well combined.
  3. Step 3: Immediately drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss everything together thoroughly to ensure an even coating of the dressing.
  4. Step 4: Taste the salad and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with extra dried cherries and pecans before serving.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately for the freshest taste or refrigerate for later. This salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra crunch, toast the pecans lightly before adding them to the salad.
  • Swap dried cherries for dried cranberries or raisins if preferred.
  • Use maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan-friendly dressing.
  • Add diced cucumber or bell pepper for additional freshness and color.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors will meld beautifully over time, but the salad is best enjoyed within the first two days for optimal crunch. When ready to serve, you can toss it again to redistribute the dressing. No need to reheat; this salad is delicious served cold.

How to Serve

A fresh salad is served on a white plate, placed on a white marbled surface. The salad has several colorful layers including small broccoli florets in green, thin carrot strips in bright orange, chickpeas in light tan, dark dried berries, and small pieces of nuts with a brown shade. The vegetables and toppings are mixed evenly, showing textures from crunchy broccoli and nuts to the smooth chickpeas. A metal fork rests on the right side of the plate, partially touching the food. Small bits of herbs and salad ingredients are scattered lightly around the plate edges. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple?

Yes, you can substitute honeycrisp apples with other firm and sweet varieties like Fuji or Gala to maintain a nice balance of sweetness and crunch.

Is this salad suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely. This salad stores well for several days in the fridge, making it a convenient and healthy choice for meal prep. Keep it chilled and toss before serving to refresh the flavors.

Print

Chickpea Apple Broccoli Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing Recipe

This Chickpea Apple Broccoli Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing is a fresh, crunchy, and nutritious salad combining finely chopped broccoli, chickpeas, crispy honeycrisp apples, shredded carrots, and a zesty honey dijon dressing. Boosted with dried cherries, pecans, and fresh parsley, this wholesome salad offers a delightful balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, perfect as a light lunch or side dish.

  • Author: rami
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad:

  • 1 head broccoli, very finely chopped
  • 1 (15 ounce) can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups diced honeycrisp apples (about 2 medium apples)
  • 1 cup shredded carrots (or 1 cup matchstick cut carrots)
  • ⅓ cup diced green onion
  • ⅓ cup dried cherries
  • ⅓ cup chopped pecans
  • ½ cup chopped flat leaf parsley

For the Dressing:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • ½ tablespoon honey
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste

To Garnish:

  • Extra dried cherries
  • Extra chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Prepare the salad ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the very finely chopped broccoli, rinsed and drained chickpeas, diced honeycrisp apples, shredded carrots, diced green onion, dried cherries, chopped pecans, and chopped flat leaf parsley. Toss lightly to mix and set aside.
  2. Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, and freshly ground salt and pepper until the dressing is emulsified and smooth.
  3. Dress the salad. Immediately drizzle the honey dijon dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
  4. Adjust seasoning and garnish. Taste the salad and add more salt and pepper if desired. Garnish with extra dried cherries and chopped pecans for added texture and flavor.
  5. Serve or store. Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste or refrigerate it to enjoy later. The salad keeps well for up to 5 days in an airtight container.

Notes

  • This salad is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Finely chopping the broccoli ensures a pleasant texture and allows the dressing to coat the florets better.
  • Honeycrisp apples are recommended for their sweetness and crunch but you can substitute with other sweet apples.
  • Dry cherries and pecans add a nice balance of sweetness and crunch; feel free to toast pecans lightly for extra flavor.
  • If preferred, substitute maple syrup or agave nectar for honey to make the dressing vegan.

Keywords: chickpea salad, broccoli salad, honey dijon dressing, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, chickpea apple salad, crunchy salad

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