This fresh quinoa chickpea salad is filled with protein, fiber, tons of flavor and is so easy to make. It’s the perfect recipe to meal prep for quick lunches throughout the week!
I’m a biiiiiig salad gal. That might seem weird to some people, but when done correctly, salads can actually be delicious, filling and maybe even fun to make?!
This quinoa chickpea salad features, you guessed it, quinoa and chickpeas, plus some kale, red onion, almonds, golden raisins and a simple lemon honey dijon dressing.
It takes just 10 minutes to throw together if you have all of your ingredients prepped and makes the perfect lunch or simple side dish for meals throughout the week! You can easily add any other toppings like feta, avocado or keep it simple and serve as is!
Since you definitely don’t want to put raw quinoa in a salad, I suggest following these instructions for perfectly fluffy quinoa every time!
You can also try this salad with my basil pesto vinaigrette for a different flavor variation.
How to make quinoa salad
First, if you haven’t already, cook your quinoa.
Drain and rinse the chickpeas and add to a large salad bowl.
Add all salad ingredients. Add the dressing ingredients to a jar or dressing shaker and shake to combine.
Pour the dressing on top of the salad and toss to combine. Taste and adjust flavors as desired. Serve and enjoy!
How to store
This quinoa chickpea salad holds up well in the fridge, even once dressed. Because kale is a tough vegetable, it won’t get soggy in the fridge as it sits. It will keep for 3 days once dressed, or 5 if the dressing is stored separately.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add other vegetables?
Definitely! I love serving it on top of a bed of arugula for some extra greens, or adding in finely chopped broccoli, cucumber, tomatoes or bell pepper.
You really can’t go wrong with this simple recipe, so feel free to add whatever you have on hand.
What should I serve it with?
Thanks to the high protein and fiber content of this salad, it works well as a stand alone dish for a quick lunch.
However, if you’re looking to add some bulk, I love to serve it with my lemon pepper salmon or a simple grilled chicken. You can also try my air fried tofu for a plant based option!
Should I serve it hot or cold?
I usually throw in the quinoa while it’s still hot so it helps to wilt the kale, but it’s delicious hot or cold! I usually have it in the fridge throughout the week and don’t heat it up before serving.
Try these salads next!
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Quinoa Chickpea Salad
by: claire cary
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 ½ cups cooked quinoa 1/2 cup uncooked
- 1 15 ounce can chickpeas
- 1 cup finely chopped kale
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ⅓ cup diced red onion
- ¼ cup golden raisins
- ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley
Dressing
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp lemon juice about 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp honey can sub maple syrup
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- ¼ tsp salt more or less to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- First, if you haven't already, cook your quinoa.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas and add to a large salad bowl.
- Add all salad ingredients.
- Add the dressing ingredients to a jar or dressing shaker and shake to combine.
- Pour the dressing on top of the salad and toss to combine.
- Taste and adjust flavors as desired. Serve and enjoy!
Lauren Elam says
Not my first time making an eatwithclarity recipe but this one was delish! It can definitely be made as meal prep for the week and I choose to add salmon. It was great!
Claire Cary says
Yum, love this with salmon!
Gwen says
Another hit! We always love your recipes 🙂
Claire Cary says
Thank you Gwen! Just made my day 🙂