15 Minute Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with zesty shallot dressing is perfect for healthy make-ahead meals. Filled with fiber and plant protein, this no-fuss salad is easy and versatile. 
If you need weekday meal inspiration, this salad covers all the bases.
It's fresh, flavorful, and full of crisp, crunchy textures. The zesty shallot dressing brightens each bite, while feta adds salty richness.
Just like my Mediterranean Lentil Salad, this recipe is endlessly versatile and comes together in 15 minutes flat. Enjoy as is, or add shredded chicken or canned tuna for a more satiating meal. It's also delicious stuffed in a wrap or scooped up with pita chips.
Prep it on Sunday and pack it for weekday meals on repeat. Or simply snag a few bites from the fridge every time a hunger pang strikes.
How to Make Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Full of fiber and plant protein, this salad is equal parts healthy and satisfying.
It also makes use of everyone's favorite pantry staple: canned chickpeas!
Plus, you can prepare it year-round since it doesn't rely on any seasonal ingredients.
The Ingredients
- Chickpeas: Budget-friendly, plus a fab source of fiber and plant protein. Be sure to drain, rinse, and dry the chickpeas before tossing them into the salad.
- Tomatoes: You need 1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes, which are in season year-round. Use red or multi-colored for an extra pop of vibrancy.
- Cucumber: I prefer using a seedless cucumber, such as English or Persian. The skins on these varieties are also much thinner, so you don't need to peel them.
- Bell Pepper: Use any color bell pepper you like! I prefer red, orange, or yellow, which are sweeter than green.
- Artichokes: Marinated artichoke hearts really give the salad its Mediterranean flair. Alternatively, you can use olives or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Feta: Chunks of feta cheese add richness and salty, briny flavor. If you're not a feta fan, you can use Parmesan or goat cheese instead.
- Dill: Fresh dill really brings this salad to life! However if you prefer another herb, fresh parsley also works great here.
- Shallots: Sweeter and more tame than most other onion varieties, shallots infuse the dressing with aromatic spice.
- Vinegar: I prefer red wine vinegar in this salad, however you could also use sherry vinegar or fresh lemon juice.
- Olive Oil: A heart-healthy staple in the Mediterranean diet, this chickpea salad leans heavily on extra-virgin olive oil.
The Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Dressing
In a small jar or bowl, combine shallots, olive oil, red wine vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper; whisk to combine. Let sit while you prepare salad.
Step 2: Assemble the Salad
To a large bowl, combine chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, artichokes, and fresh dill. Season with salt and pepper; toss to combine. 
Step 3: Toss and Enjoy!
Drizzle dressing over salad and add feta; toss to coat. Garnish with extra fresh dill, if desired. 
How to Serve Chickpea Salad
- Right out of the Bowl. The chickpeas make it plenty filling for a light lunch or snack.
- Over Greens. If you want to double down on the veggie goodness, serve a big scoop of the salad over arugula with a little extra olive oil.
- With Chicken or Tuna. Add shredded rotisserie chicken or flaked canned tuna for a more satiating meal.
- In a Wrap or Pita. Stuff the salad in a warm pita pocket or whole-grain wrap for a satisfying lunch.
What Goes with Chickpea Salad?
- Salmon: Try these Salmon Burgers with Lemon-Caper Spread for a Mediterranean-inspired meal.
- Soup: This Creamy Tomato Basil Soup would make a fabulous soup + salad combo.
- Shrimp Cakes: Readers absolutely love these Thai Shrimp Cakes, and they'd be delicious as a salad topper.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips:
- Make-Ahead: The veggies can all be sliced and diced up to 2 days ahead. Refrigerate in an airtight container.
- You can also prepare the dressing 1 to 2 days in advance. Refrigerate in an airtight jar.
- Store: Store leftover salad in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More Mediterranean Salad Recipes to Try:
Mediterranean Lentil Salad
Salmon Couscous Salad with Feta Dressing
Brown Butter Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
If you give this recipe a try, be sure to snap a pic and tag #dishingouthealth on Instagram so I can see your creations. Also, follow along on Facebook and Pinterest for the latest recipe updates!
15 Minute Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients
Shallot Dressing
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 Tbsp. minced shallots
- 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and black pepper
Chickpea Salad
- 1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- ½ large English cucumber (or 3 Persian cucumbers), chopped (no need to peel) (about 1 ½ cups)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 bell pepper (yellow, orange, or red), finely chopped
- 1 (6.5-oz.) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ⅓ cup fresh dill, roughly chopped
- ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Shallot Dressing:In a small jar or bowl, olive oil, shallots, red wine vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper; whisk to combine. Let sit while you prepare salad.
- Assemble Salad:To a large bowl, combine chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, artichokes, and fresh dill. Season with salt and pepper; toss to combine. Drizzle dressing over salad and add feta; toss to combine. Garnish with extra fresh dill, if desired. *Note: this salad tastes best an hour or two after making it. Letting the flavors really marinate is key!
Notes
- Make-Ahead: The veggies can all be sliced and diced up to 2 days ahead. Refrigerate in an airtight container.
- You can also prepare the dressing 1 to 2 days in advance. Refrigerate in an airtight jar.
- Store: Store leftover salad in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Michelle R
I've made this 2 weeks in a row now for lunch! I took your suggestion and added flaked tuna one day, which I really enjoyed. Thank you for a great staple recipe!
Jamie Vespa
Hi Michelle - I'm so glad the recipe was a hit! Thank you for coming back and leaving a review!
Katie Quinn
So fresh and flavorful! This will be a meal prep staple for us!
Jamie Vespa
I'm so glad the recipe was a hit, Katie! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!
Kayla
This was the salad that accompanied our pasta heavy dinner for christmas! Huge hit with the baby and I am definitely keeping this in the rotation for her. Thanks Jamie!! 😘
Ali
Does this keep well if I make the night before serving at a party?
Carlotta
Going to be making this salad in a few minutes, but wanted to thank you for giving the nutrition facts as well as the recipe. I appreciate it.
dishingouthealth
Hi Carlotta, thank you for the kind message! I hope you enjoy the salad! Cheers
qadeerzaeem
Wow! This is delicious and looks more beautiful.
dishingouthealth
Thank you, my friend! Cheers
Laura
First, I hope the Day Quill won the battle and that you aren't feeling too crummy! Second I LOVE the way you describe this recipe! Serious food poetry. This dish looks incredible and has all my favorite ingredients and flavors!
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats
Beautiful! Love salads like this. They hold up so well for leftovers too.
dishingouthealth
Thank you, Melanie! YES, couldn't agree more -- so ideal for weekday lunches and meal prep. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Kara @ Byte Sized Nutrition
Yum! I make a very similar chickpea salad, but I've never thought to use it as a burger topping (although I have done the tortilla chips.. and avocado toast!) I'm going to have to give your idea a try. Looks great!
dishingouthealth
Thanks, Kara! I'll pretty much use anything as a burger topping LOL nothing off limits! Enjoy!!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious
I love salads like these! Like you, I'll eat them in every which way until it's all gone! I'll def be making this for my girls' bento lunch boxes this fall!
dishingouthealth
YESS, perfect!! I think it's super kid-friendly, but you'll have to let me know! 😉
Jenn Bowers
This looks delish! All of my favorites & so colorful!
dishingouthealth
Thanks, Jenn! Same here - just super light, fresh and colorful!
Laura
Easy, delicious, filling, healthy - this is the perfect simple meal. I went overboard on shallots and don't regret it. This will become a regular meal for us!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot
Yum these are all of my favorite things in one!
dishingouthealth
Right there with ya, Heather! Thanks for stopping by! Xo