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Cottage Cheese and Chickpea Salad Recipe

Cottage Cheese and Chickpea Salad Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 20 reviews

A fresh and nutritious Cottage Cheese and Chickpea Salad combining protein-rich chickpeas and creamy cottage cheese with crisp vegetables and a zesty cumin-lemon dressing. This easy-to-make salad is perfect for a healthy lunch or a light dinner, offering a delicious balance of textures and flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Salad

  • 1 cup chickpeas (cooked or canned, drained & rinsed)
  • ¾ cup cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat)
  • ½ medium cucumber, diced
  • ½ small red onion, finely chopped
  • ½ red or yellow bell pepper, diced
  • 1 small tomato, diced (or 6 cherry tomatoes, halved)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

Seasoning & Dressing

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1–2 tsp lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • Optional: ¼ tsp smoked paprika or chili flakes

Optional Add-Ins

  • 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds or walnuts (for crunch)
  • ½ avocado, diced (extra creaminess)
  • ¼ cup corn kernels (sweetness boost)

Instructions

  1. Prep ingredients: Dice the cucumber, bell pepper, tomato, and onion into small, even pieces. Rinse the chickpeas well if canned, then pat them dry with a towel to remove excess moisture.
  2. Combine salad: In a large mixing bowl, add the chickpeas along with the cottage cheese, diced vegetables, and chopped fresh parsley or cilantro. Stir gently to combine all the base salad ingredients evenly.
  3. Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, black pepper, and salt until emulsified. If you prefer a bit of heat or smoky flavor, add the smoked paprika or chili flakes to the dressing and mix well.
  4. Mix & coat: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure that every component is evenly coated without breaking the cottage cheese or mushy texture.
  5. Finish & serve: Sprinkle optional pumpkin seeds or walnuts for crunch and diced avocado for added creaminess on top. You can also add extra herbs if desired. Serve this salad chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing, protein-packed meal or side dish.

Notes

  • For a vegan version, substitute cottage cheese with firm tofu or vegan cheese.
  • You can use canned chickpeas or cook dried chickpeas yourself; cooking from scratch provides better flavor.
  • Adjust the lemon juice to your preferred tanginess.
  • The salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days but is best enjoyed fresh.
  • Add fresh herbs like mint or basil for additional flavor variations.

Nutrition

Keywords: cottage cheese salad, chickpea salad, healthy salad, protein salad, vegetarian salad, Mediterranean salad, easy lunch, no-cook recipe

Find it online: https://maicook.com/cottage-cheese-and-chickpea-salad-recipe/