Zesty Avocado Chickpea Salad Recipe
This Zesty Avocado Chickpea Salad is a vibrant and nutritious dish combining creamy avocados, protein-packed chickpeas, and fresh vegetables tossed in a tangy and flavorful homemade dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or side dish, it offers a delightful blend of textures and bright flavors.
- Author: Lisa
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Salad Ingredients
- 1 (15‑oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra‑virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red‑pepper flakes (optional)
- Preparing the Vegetables: Rinse the canned chickpeas under cold water to remove excess sodium, then pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel to ensure the dressing adheres well. While the chickpeas are drying, dice the avocados, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, dice the cucumber, and chop the fresh cilantro to prepare the salad components.
- Making the Zesty Dressing: In a small bowl, vigorously whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, ground cumin, sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optional red-pepper flakes. Whisk until the dressing becomes smooth, glossy, and emulsified. If the mixture is too thick, add a small amount of water to reach the desired consistency.
- Assembling the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the dried chickpeas with the diced avocados, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, and chopped cilantro. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss carefully to coat all ingredients evenly without mashing the avocados. Serve immediately for the freshest taste, or refrigerate the salad with the dressing kept separate for up to two hours to maintain texture and flavor.
Notes
- To keep the avocados from browning, add them just before serving and toss gently with the salad.
- If preparing in advance, store the dressing separately and combine just before serving.
- For a spicier kick, increase the red-pepper flakes according to your taste.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated for up to two hours without significant loss of flavor or texture.
Keywords: avocado chickpea salad, zesty salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, chickpea recipes, quick salad, no-cook salad