This Greek Chickpea Salad is a light and refreshing option full of flavor!
You know when you find a new favorite food, and you just can’t get enough of it? Like you could literally eat it every single day, and you nearly do?! That’s happening to me right now, and it’s all because of this delicious Greek chickpea salad I discovered. And I’m not going to lie, I don’t even feel bad eating it every day. It’s SALAD! No guilt here!
In my defense, I love a good salad, and I go through phases where I’m totally fixated on one in particular. This Greek chickpea salad just happens to be the latest object of my affection. (Sorry, Strawberry Chicken Salad. We had a good run, but it was more of summer fling.) I find that a flavorful, fully loaded salad makes for a great everyday lunch option. I can prep big batches ahead of time, and then I don’t have to worry about cooking cutting into my lunch break, or spending all my money eating out.
This salad is also full of flavor. It’s made with a long list of colorful and flavorful ingredients like bell pepper, red onion, cucumber, kalamata olives, and cherry tomatoes, plus a delicious DIY vinaigrette that blends it all together. The result is a slightly sweet, super refreshing salad that fuels me for the second half of the day.
Is Greek Chickpea Salad Healthy?
It’s safe to say that this Greek chickpea salad is a healthy choice for lunch, or as a side! With a colorful array of fresh produce pumping it full of vitamins and minerals, plus herbs and condiments bringing extra flavor without the extra calories, this salad is a fulfilling meal on its own.
But let’s not forget the star of this salad – chickpeas! These are a great source of protein, so this salad is especially great for my friends pursuing a meatless diet. Chickpeas are also full of fiber, so you’ll stay full longer after enjoying this salad.
What Are Chickpeas?
Chickpeas, contrary to their name, are not peas. They’re actually beans! If you’ve heard of garbanzo beans, they’re the same thing. You may have had chickpeas before in your favorite hummus, or maybe you’ve tried them whole (cooking them in the air fryer makes for a delicious snack!) Either way, once you do try them, you’re sure to love them.
As I mentioned before, chickpeas provide lots of protein to meatless dishes. Even if you’re not participating in Meatless Mondays, chickpeas still make for a delicious and nutritious add-in to your diet.
How to make ahead and store
You can prepare your Greek chickpea salad ahead of time, just store the dressing separate from the rest of the dish so your salad doesn’t get soggy. You can also prep and store all of your ingredients separately, and assemble your salad when you’re ready to enjoy it.
Serving Suggestions
This salad makes for a filling lunch, but it can also serve as a side to your main course. Try it with my Falafel Burger, which is also made with chickpeas, or your favorite sandwich. This sandwich is gluten-free, vegetarian, and inspired by the flavors of fall!
Ingredients
- 1 can 15 oz chickpeas rinsed and drained
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper diced
- 1 cucumber diced
- 1 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 3/4 cup kalamata olives chopped
- 1/3 cup red onion sliced
- 6 oz crumbled feta cheese
- 3 tablespoons fresh dill chopped
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, kalamata olives, red onion, half of the feta cheese, and dill.
- Mix olive oil, vinegar, and honey. Season with oregano, salt, and black pepper. Drizzle dressing over the salad.
- Toss everything to combine, then adjust seasoning if necessary. Sprinkle on the remaining cheese. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later use.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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