High Protein Quinoa Chickpea Salad (Printable)

Colorful Mediterranean bowl with quinoa, chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and tangy feta in a lemon-olive oil dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains & Legumes

01 - 1 cup quinoa
02 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables & Herbs

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 cucumber, diced
05 - ½ cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

→ Dairy

06 - ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled

→ Dressing

07 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
09 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Rinse quinoa thoroughly under cold running water until water runs clear.
02 - In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa with 2 cups water or vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
03 - While quinoa cooks, halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber, and chop fresh herbs.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled quinoa, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, chopped herbs, and crumbled feta cheese.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
07 - Serve immediately or chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes for a colder, more refreshing presentation.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It fills you up without weighing you down, and leftovers taste even better the next day.
  • Everything comes together in one bowl, no fancy techniques or hard to find ingredients.
  • You can eat it cold from the fridge or at room temperature, making it perfect for packed lunches.
02 -
  • Do not skip rinsing the quinoa, the bitter coating ruins the flavor if left on.
  • Let the quinoa cool before adding feta or the cheese will melt into a gummy mess.
  • Taste the dressing before pouring it over, you can always add more lemon or salt but you cannot take it back.
03 -
  • Use vegetable broth instead of water when cooking quinoa for deeper flavor.
  • Crumble the feta by hand instead of using a knife, it stays creamier and mixes better.
  • If making ahead, add the feta and dressing just before serving to keep everything fresh and vibrant.
Go Back