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Harvest Kale Salad with roasted butternut squash, apple, pecans, cranberries, chickpeas, and goat cheese in a white bowl

Harvest Kale Salad with Maple Cider Dressing

A hearty Harvest Kale Salad with roasted butternut squash, crispy chickpeas, apple, pecans, cranberries, and goat cheese in a tangy maple cider dressing. Great for meal prep and holiday tables.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 475
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Roasted
  • 2 cups butternut squash 280 g, cubed
  • 1 can chickpeas 15 oz / 425 g, rinsed and dried
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika 1/2 tsp kosher salt, pinch of cinnamon
Salad
  • 1 large bunch lacinato kale (8 oz / 225 g) thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp olive oil and a pinch of salt
  • 1 crisp apple thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup toasted pecans 35 g
  • 1/4 cup pepitas 35 g
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries 40 g
  • 2 oz crumbled goat cheese 55 g
Dressing
  • 3 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 small shallot minced
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt black pepper

Method
 

  1. Roast: Toss the squash and chickpeas with oil and spices and roast at 425°F (220°C) for 22 to 25 minutes, flipping once. Cool 10 minutes.
  2. Massage: Rub the kale with 1 tsp oil and a pinch of salt for 2 minutes, until soft and dark green.
  3. Dress: Shake the dressing ingredients in a jar and toss two-thirds with the kale.
  4. Assemble: Add the squash, chickpeas, apple, pecans, pepitas, and cranberries. Top with goat cheese and the remaining dressing.

Notes

  • Dry the chickpeas really well with a towel, or they won't crisp.
  • Dairy-free: skip the goat cheese and add sliced avocado.
  • Let the roasted squash cool before tossing so the cheese stays in pretty crumbles.
Kitchen Shortcut: Toast the pecans on the same sheet pan for the last 4 minutes of roasting. One pan, no extra skillet to wash.
Pro-Chef Tip: Let the minced shallot sit in the vinegar for 5 minutes before adding the oil. It softens the sharp bite and makes the dressing taste smoother.
Nutrition is an estimate per Serving.