Description
Looking for a vibrant and nutritious salad? This Quinoa Chickpea Rainbow Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette is packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and essential vitamins — perfect for a light lunch, side dish, or healthy snack!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup (90g) quinoa, rinsed
- 1 cup (164g) cooked chickpeas
- 1 cup (100g) diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup (75g) diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup (50g) shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup (30g) chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup (15g) chopped fresh parsley
Lemon Vinaigrette:
- 3 tbsp (45ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsp (30ml) lemon juice
- 1 tsp (5ml) honey
- 1/2 tsp (3g) salt
- 1/4 tsp (1g) black pepper
Instructions
- Cook quinoa: Combine rinsed quinoa with 1 cup water in a small pot. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes off heat, then fluff and cool.
- Prepare vegetables: Dice cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion. Shred carrots and chop parsley.
- Make vinaigrette: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper until emulsified. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, chickpeas, and vegetables. Gently toss to combine.
- Dress and chill: Pour vinaigrette over salad, toss gently, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Prep Ahead: Cook quinoa and chop vegetables ahead of time for convenience.
- Variations: Add feta, avocado, or other beans; use different herbs like mint or dill; add nuts or seeds for crunch.
- Storage: Keep refrigerated in airtight container for 3-4 days. Store dressing separately if possible.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook / Boiling Quinoa
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: quinoa salad, chickpea salad, rainbow salad, lemon vinaigrette, Mediterranean, vegan, gluten-free, healthy lunch