Description
A refreshing and nutritious Chickpea Salad combining protein-rich chickpeas with fresh vegetables and a zesty lemon-oregano dressing, topped with creamy feta cheese. This no-cook salad is perfect for a quick lunch or a healthy side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Chickpeas: Open the can of chickpeas, drain the liquid, and rinse the chickpeas under cold water in a colander to remove excess sodium and liquid.
- Combine Chickpeas: Place the rinsed chickpeas into a large mixing bowl to begin assembling the salad base.
- Prepare Tomatoes: Wash the cherry tomatoes thoroughly, then slice each one in half for bite-sized pieces.
- Add Tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the chickpeas for freshness and color.
- Prepare Cucumber: Wash the cucumber thoroughly and cut off both ends to remove seeds and tough edges.
- Dice Cucumber: Dice the cucumber into small cubes to add crunch and hydration to the salad, then add to the bowl.
- Slice Onion: Peel and thinly slice the red onion to add a sharp flavor; add slices to the mixing bowl.
- Add Parsley: Chop the fresh parsley finely to distribute the herb flavor evenly, then sprinkle over the salad mixture.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to create a tangy dressing.
- Whisk Dressing: Whisk the dressing ingredients together until thoroughly blended to emulsify the oil and lemon juice for consistency.
- Dress Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture, ensuring even coverage.
- Toss Salad: Gently toss all the ingredients to ensure the chickpeas and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Add Feta Cheese: Crumble the feta cheese into small pieces and sprinkle it over the top of the salad for a creamy texture and salty contrast.
- Final Toss: Give the salad a final gentle toss to mix the feta lightly with the rest of the ingredients without breaking it down.
- Serve or Chill: Serve immediately for freshness or refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together harmoniously.
Notes
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated up to 24 hours.
- For a vegan option, omit feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste; you can add more lemon juice or herbs for added zing.
- Use low-sodium canned chickpeas to control salt content.
- Optional: Add chopped olives or bell peppers for extra flavor and texture.
