How to Make the Perfect Quinoa Chickpea Salad

Mediterranean · Easy · 35 minutes min · 4 servings

A hearty and nutritious salad packed with protein from chickpeas and the goodness of fresh vegetables, drizzled with a zesty dressing.

Why this recipe works

This Quinoa Chickpea Salad recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 35 minutes minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 350 calories with 15g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.

What you will need

This recipe uses 17 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:

1 cup quinoa
1 can chickpeas
1 cup cucumber, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup bell pepper, diced
1 cup red onion, finely chopped
1 cup parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 4 tablespoons olive oil
1 2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Step by step instructions

Step 1: Cook Quinoa

Rinse quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, add quinoa and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed.

Step 2: Prepare Vegetables

While quinoa cooks, chop vegetables: cucumber, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, and parsley.

Step 3: Mix Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, black pepper, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.

Step 4: Combine Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, chickpeas, and chopped vegetables. Pour dressing over and toss to combine.

Step 5: Serve

Garnish with crumbled feta cheese and serve chilled or at room temperature.

Easy substitutions

Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:

chickpeas → black beans
quinoa → brown rice
feta cheese → avocado

Common mistakes to avoid

Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:

Not rinsing quinoa before cooking, leading to a bitter taste.
Overcooking the quinoa, resulting in a mushy texture.
Using stale spices, which can affect the flavor.

Nutrition facts

Per serving: 350 calories, 15g protein, 45g carbs, 10g fat, 10g fiber.

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