Chickpea Salad: 20 minutes (2-3 servings)

I am always looking for something portable and easy for lunch. I especially like anything that’s ‘dump and go’. Sheet pan dinners and rice bowls are great. To cut down on the carbs though, I like to opt for chickpeas and make a salad that travels well for work. This recipe makes a wonderfully bright and healthy meal that you can make in under 20 mintues. This also give you a boost of protein to keep you going for the rest of the day. Eat it as a salad or use it as pita stuffing.

This salad can be customized to cover the entire rainbow of vegetables. The base is chickpeas, a legume that’s packed with protein. I add on red onions and cucumber for zest, texture and chrunchiness. The dressing brings it all together, adding an overall brightness. I like to add sprouts to add some earthiness along with dill and other herbs. If you want more creamines and saltiness, try adding feta cheese.

Ingredients:

For the Lemon-Herb Dressing:

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried oregano (or a mix of dried herbs like dill and mint)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Salad:

• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• ½ English cucumber, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ red bell pepper, diced
• ¼ red onion, thinly sliced (or finely diced for milder flavor)
• ¼ cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Add the Veggies: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rinsed and drained chickpeas, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, sliced red onion, pitted Kalamata olives, and fresh chopped parsley.
2. Make the Dressing: In a small separate bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
3. Mix it Up! Pour the dressing over the chickpea and vegetable mixture. Toss gently until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
4. Enjoy! Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. For best flavor, let it sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, or serve immediately.