chickpeas Recipe
A vibrant and easy-to-make Mediterranean-inspired salad combining protein-packed chickpeas with creamy feta and sweet dried cranberries, all brought together by a bright and zesty lemon vinaigrette. Perfect as a light meal or a side dish, this no-cook salad is flavorful, nutritious, and ready in under 10 minutes.
- Author: Kai
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the Salad:
- 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Lemon Vinaigrette:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, add the drained chickpeas, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, finely chopped red onion, and chopped fresh parsley. Gently toss everything together to evenly distribute the ingredients and combine the flavors.
- Make the Lemon Vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and emulsified, creating a bright and flavorful dressing.
- Combine and Chill: Pour the prepared lemon vinaigrette over the salad mixture. Toss thoroughly to ensure every chickpea and ingredient is coated with the dressing. Cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld perfectly before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor and crunch, toast the chickpeas in a pan over medium heat for 5–7 minutes before mixing.
- To make the salad vegan, substitute feta cheese with dairy-free crumbles or marinated tofu.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Optional add-ins such as cooked quinoa, diced cucumber, or chopped pistachios provide additional texture and nutrition.
- Pair this salad with grilled chicken, warm pita bread, or a bed of leafy greens for a balanced and satisfying meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: chickpea salad, feta cheese salad, cranberry salad, lemon vinaigrette, Mediterranean salad, vegetarian salad, healthy salad, no-cook recipe