Description
This Easy Chickpea Salad is a fresh, vibrant, and nutritious meal perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. Featuring a zesty lemon vinaigrette, crisp vegetables, and creamy feta cheese, it’s a wholesome and satisfying Mediterranean-inspired dish that comes together in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Lemon Vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- Black pepper to taste
For the Salad
- 1 (14 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup diced Persian or English cucumber
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped dill
- 4 ounces feta, cut into cubes
Instructions
- Prepare the Lemon Vinaigrette: In a jar with a lid or a small bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Shake the jar vigorously or whisk the ingredients together until the vinaigrette is well mixed and emulsified.
- Mix the Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl or salad bowl, add the drained and rinsed chickpeas, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, diced yellow bell pepper, diced red onion, chopped parsley, and chopped dill. Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the salad ingredients and toss gently to combine all the flavors evenly.
- Add Feta and Serve: Gently fold in the cubes of feta cheese into the salad, being careful not to break them apart. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste and texture.
Notes
- For extra protein, grill some chicken or add boiled eggs.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor; dried herbs can be a substitute but reduce quantity.
- This salad can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours; however, add feta last to avoid it becoming soggy.
- Feel free to swap in other vegetables like radishes or carrots for variety.
- To make it vegan, omit the feta or use a plant-based alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
