Crispy Chickpea & Zucchini Feta Bowl Recipe
A vibrant and nutritious Crispy Chickpea & Zucchini Feta Bowl featuring smoky roasted chickpeas, tender roasted zucchini, fresh veggies, and creamy feta, all brought together with a zesty lemon tahini dressing. Perfect for a wholesome vegetarian meal packed with protein, fiber, and bold Mediterranean flavors.
- Author: Douaa
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the Crispy Chickpeas
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and patted dry
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Roasted Zucchini
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Bowl
- 2 cups cooked quinoa or brown rice
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
For the Lemon Tahini Dressing
- 3 tbsp tahini
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove, grated
- 2–3 tbsp water to thin
- Salt, to taste
- Roast the Chickpeas: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the drained and dried chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. Spread the chickpeas in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 20–25 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through to ensure even crisping. Roast until the chickpeas are golden and crispy.
- Roast the Zucchini: In a bowl, toss the sliced zucchini with olive oil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Spread the zucchini slices evenly on a separate baking sheet and roast in the same oven for 15–20 minutes, or until tender and lightly golden on the edges.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, grated garlic, and salt. Slowly add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water, whisking continuously, until the dressing becomes smooth and pourable.
- Assemble the Bowl: Divide the cooked quinoa or brown rice between two bowls. Layer the roasted zucchini, crispy chickpeas, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese evenly over the grains.
- Serve: Drizzle the prepared lemon tahini dressing generously over the assembled bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crunch, you can roast the chickpeas a few minutes longer but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Swap the feta with a vegan cheese alternative to make this bowl vegan-friendly.
- Quinoa adds a nutty flavor and extra protein, but brown rice or couscous can be used as alternatives.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice in the dressing to your taste for more or less tanginess.
- Leftover roasted chickpeas make a great snack, and the dressing keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: crispy chickpeas, zucchini bowl, feta, Mediterranean bowl, roasted vegetables, tahini dressing, healthy vegetarian recipe, quinoa bowl, easy dinner