By @betterfoodguru

Looking for a vibrant, healthy, and satisfying salad?

This Crispy Chickpea Chopped Salad is packed with textures and bold flavors, making it a perfect meal on its own or a great side dish.

With crunchy chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and a creamy lemon tahini dressing, this salad will become a favorite in your weekly rotation.

Ingredients:

For the Crispy Chickpeas:

  • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt to taste

For the Salad:

  • 1 small head of escarole (or any hardy lettuce)
  • 1 roasted orange bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 cup green cabbage, finely chopped
  • 1 cup red cabbage, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

For the Creamy Lemon Tahini Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup sesame tahini
  • 2 tablespoons water (more if needed to thin the dressing)
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Make the Crispy Chickpeas

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Pat the chickpeas dry with a clean kitchen towel.
  • Toss the chickpeas with olive oil, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
  • Spread them out on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown, stirring halfway through.

2. Prepare the Vegetables

  • While the chickpeas are roasting, chop the escarole, roasted bell pepper, green cabbage, red cabbage, parsley, and red onion.
  • Combine all the chopped vegetables in a large salad bowl.

3. Make the Dressing

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, water, lemon juice, garlic powder, maple syrup, and salt. Adjust the consistency by adding more water if necessary to make a smooth and pourable dressing.

4. Assemble the Salad

  • Toss the chopped vegetables with half of the creamy lemon tahini dressing.
  • Top the salad with the crispy chickpeas.
  • Drizzle the remaining dressing over the salad or serve it on the side.

Serving Suggestions:

This Crispy Chickpea Chopped Salad is perfect as a light lunch or a refreshing side dish to complement your main course. The roasted chickpeas add a satisfying crunch, while the creamy tahini dressing balances the fresh and zesty flavors.