Chickpea Greek Salad
Chickpea Greek Salad is a fresh, protein-packed Mediterranean-inspired salad featuring crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, tangy kalamata olives, red onion, and creamy feta cheese. Easy to prepare with no cooking required, this vibrant and nutritious salad makes a perfect healthy lunch or light meal option that is both satisfying and energizing.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 large cucumber, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and dry the cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. Slice the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces, halve the cherry tomatoes, and thinly slice the red onion to achieve a mild sharpness without overpowering the salad.
- Rinse and Drain Chickpeas: Open a can of chickpeas, drain, and rinse under cold water to remove excess sodium and canned flavor. Let them drain thoroughly to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- Combine Ingredients in a Bowl: In a large mixing bowl, gently toss together cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, chickpeas, and crumbled feta cheese. This step helps the flavors meld beautifully before adding the dressing.
- Make the Dressing: Whisk freshly squeezed lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified, creating a bright, tangy dressing that coats every bite.
- Dress the Salad and Toss: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to combine. Add freshly chopped parsley last to maintain its vibrant color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice to keep the dressing lively and tangy.
- Keep feta cheese crumbled and add it last to prevent mushiness.
- Chill the salad for 20-30 minutes before serving to enhance flavors.
- Drain chickpeas thoroughly to avoid a watery salad.
- Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: Chickpea Greek Salad, Mediterranean Salad, Healthy Lunch, No Cook Salad, Protein Salad, Vegetarian, Gluten Free