Healthy Spicy Chickpea Salad
A zesty salad featuring roasted or pan-seared chickpeas tossed with fresh veggies, herbs, and a spicy lemon-tahini dressing. It’s crunchy, satisfying, and works as a side or a light main meal.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook (if roasting chickpeas): 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Salad:
2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained & rinsed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
½ tsp cumin
Salt & black pepper, to taste
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
½ red onion, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, diced
½ cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
For the Spicy Dressing:
3 tbsp tahini (or Greek yogurt for lighter version)
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, grated
½ tsp chili flakes or hot sauce
2–3 tbsp water
Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
Prepare spicy chickpeas
Pat chickpeas dry. Toss with olive oil, paprika, cumin, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
Roast at 200°C (400°F) for 15–20 minutes until crispy OR pan-fry 7–8 minutes until golden.
Make the dressing
Whisk tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, chili flakes/hot sauce, water, salt, and pepper until creamy.
Assemble salad
In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, onion, bell pepper, parsley, and feta.
Add roasted chickpeas.
Drizzle with dressing and toss gently.
Serve immediately or chill for 15 minutes for flavors to meld.
Notes & Tips
Add avocado for extra creaminess.
Serve inside pita bread for a quick wrap.
If making ahead: keep chickpeas and dressing separate until serving to maintain crispness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use canned chickpeas directly?
Yes — but roasting or pan-searing makes them crunchier and more flavorful.
Q: Is this salad meal-prep friendly?
Yes — store dressing separately and add right before eating.
Q: Can I make it milder?
Of course — reduce chili flakes and replace with smoked paprika for flavor without heat.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 320
Protein: 13 g
Carbs: 38 g
Fiber: 10 g
Fat: 14 g