Feta and Cranberry Chickpeas with Garlic Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe
A vibrant and nutritious salad featuring sautéed chickpeas, tangy feta cheese, and sweet dried cranberries, all brought together with a zesty garlic lemon vinaigrette. This easy-to-make dish offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures, perfect for a light lunch or a wholesome side.
- Author: Douaa
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Sautéing and Tossing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Salad Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or your choice)
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Vinaigrette
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Optional
- Toasted walnuts or pumpkin seeds for crunch
- Prepare chickpeas: In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the drained chickpeas. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until the chickpeas become slightly golden and warm through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Make vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper until well combined and emulsified.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, sautéed chickpeas, dried cranberries, thinly sliced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. Gently toss to mix evenly.
- Dress and toss: Pour the garlic lemon vinaigrette over the salad mixture and toss gently to ensure all ingredients are well coated with the dressing.
- Optional garnish: Sprinkle toasted walnuts or pumpkin seeds on top of the salad for added texture and crunch just before serving. Serve immediately for best freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Sautéing the chickpeas enhances their flavor and texture, but you can skip this step for a quicker salad.
- Adjust the amount of garlic or lemon juice in the vinaigrette to suit your taste preferences.
- For added protein, consider adding grilled chicken or tofu.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day without the dressing.
- To make it vegan, substitute feta cheese with a vegan alternative or omit it entirely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 of recipe
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: feta chickpea salad, cranberry salad, garlic lemon vinaigrette, Mediterranean salad, vegetarian salad, healthy salad