Description
A vibrant and healthy Fall Chickpea Salad featuring chickpeas, fresh apple, creamy avocado, crunchy pecans, and dried cranberries, tossed in a tangy apple cider dressing. Perfect for a quick, nutritious lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 15 ounces chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
- 1 large apple (chopped, Honeycrisp preferred)
- 1 avocado (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese (optional)
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- Kosher salt and black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Combine salad ingredients. In a large bowl, mix chickpeas, chopped apple, avocado, lemon juice, red onion, nuts, dried cranberries, and crumbled cheese if using, ensuring everything is evenly distributed.
- Prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic until smooth. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
- Toss the salad with dressing. Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture and gently stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately for best freshness.
Notes
- Use Honeycrisp apples for a crisp, sweet flavor that complements the salad well.
- Walnuts can be substituted for pecans based on preference or availability.
- Feta or goat cheese adds a creamy texture and tang but can be omitted to keep the salad dairy-free.
- Serve immediately to prevent avocado from browning, or toss with extra lemon juice if storing briefly.
- This salad is versatile and can be enjoyed as a light meal or a side dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 302 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 88 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 6 mg
