Golden Chickpea Salad with Feta, Cranberries, Almonds & Citrus Vinaigrette
This bright, refreshing, and hearty Mediterranean-inspired salad combines golden roasted chickpeas with creamy feta, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy almonds, and fresh herbs. Tossed in a lively citrus vinaigrette, every bite is sweet, savory, tangy, and satisfying.
Perfect for light lunches, meal prep, potlucks, and side dishes — and especially good for holiday menus because of its gorgeous colors.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
Total Time: 25–30 minutes
Serves: 3–4
Ingredients
For the Golden Chickpeas
1 can chickpeas, drained & rinsed (400g)
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
Salt & pepper to taste
For the Salad
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
¼ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup toasted almonds, sliced or chopped
1 small cucumber, diced
1 medium carrot, grated or finely diced
2–3 tbsp fresh parsley or mint
Optional: 1 cup baby spinach or mixed greens
For the Citrus Vinaigrette
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp orange juice
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp honey
½ tsp Dijon mustard
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1 — Roast the Golden Chickpeas
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
Pat chickpeas dry with a towel.
Toss with olive oil, turmeric, garlic powder, paprika (optional), salt, and pepper.
Spread on a baking sheet.
Roast for 15–20 minutes until golden and lightly crisp.
Shake halfway for even roasting.
Step 2 — Prepare the Vinaigrette
In a small bowl, whisk together:
olive oil
orange juice
lemon juice
honey
Dijon mustard
salt & pepper
Mix until emulsified.
Step 3 — Assemble the Salad
In a large bowl, add:
roasted chickpeas
feta
cranberries
almonds
cucumber
carrot
parsley/mint
optional greens
Toss gently.
Step 4 — Dress and Serve
Pour the citrus vinaigrette over the salad.
Mix until fully coated.
Serve immediately or chill for 20 minutes to enhance flavors.
Notes & Tips
Add orange zest for extra citrus punch.
For more protein, add grilled chicken or quinoa.
For crunchier chickpeas, roast 5 minutes more.
Store dressing separately if making ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make this salad ahead?
Yes — keep chickpeas, greens, nuts, and dressing separate until serving.
2. Can I use fresh cranberries?
Dried cranberries work best, but fresh ones can be quickly sautéed in honey for sweetness.
3. Can I replace feta?
Yes — goat cheese, halloumi cubes, or mozzarella pearls work well.
4. Is this Mediterranean-diet friendly?
Absolutely — chickpeas, greens, olive oil, nuts, and citrus are all staple ingredients.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 320
Protein: 12 g
Fat: 18 g
Carbs: 30 g
Fiber: 7 g
Sugar: 10 g
Sodium: 330 mg