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Feta and Cranberry Chickpeas

A delightful dish combining chickpeas, creamy feta, sweet cranberries, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette, perfect for lunches, picnics, or light dinners.
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: Chickpeas, Feta, Healthy, Quick, Salad
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 250kcal

Ingredients

For the salad

  • 1 can 15-ounce can of chickpeas, thoroughly drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons toasted almonds or walnuts (optional)

For the vinaigrette

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Preparation

  • Begin by draining and rinsing the chickpeas thoroughly to remove any excess starch and liquid from the can.
  • In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas with crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, finely chopped red onion, freshly chopped parsley, and toasted nuts if desired.
  • Gently toss the ingredients together, ensuring they are evenly mixed without crushing the chickpeas.

Make the Lemon Vinaigrette

  • In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Whisk vigorously until the vinaigrette emulsifies into a smooth, well-blended dressing. Taste and adjust the seasoning based on your preference.

Combine and Serve

  • Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the chickpea salad mixture.
  • Toss gently to ensure every ingredient is well-coated with the dressing.
  • Allow the salad to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together beautifully.
  • You can serve this refreshing dish chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

For added depth of flavor, consider using roasted chickpeas instead of canned. You can also add diced cucumbers or bell peppers for extra crunch. For a vegan option, substitute the feta with a plant-based alternative.