Description
This 5-Minute Chickpea Chopped Salad is a fresh, crunchy, and protein-packed dish made with simple pantry ingredients and crisp vegetables. Perfect for a quick lunch, healthy side dish, or light dinner, this salad requires no cooking and is ready in moments, delivering vibrant Mediterranean flavors with every bite.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 (15-oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
- ½ red bell pepper, diced
- ¼ red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine salad ingredients: Add chickpeas, diced cucumber, chopped cherry tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, chopped fresh parsley, and crumbled feta cheese (if using) into a large mixing bowl.
- Prepare dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice or red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until emulsified and smooth.
- Toss salad with dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and toss thoroughly until all components are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the salad and adjust the salt and pepper as needed to suit your preference.
- Serve or chill: Serve the salad immediately for a fresh crunch or refrigerate for 10–15 minutes to let the flavors meld and deepen before serving.
Notes
- Add avocado just before serving for creaminess and extra richness.
- Swap parsley with cilantro or basil to vary the herbaceous notes and customize the flavor profile.
- This salad keeps well refrigerated for 3–4 days, making it ideal for meal prep or leftovers.
- Works beautifully as a standalone meal prep lunch or a refreshing, healthy side dish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
