Description
This Fall Chickpea Salad is a vibrant and nutritious dish perfect for an easy fall lunch or dinner. Combining hearty chickpeas with crisp apple, creamy avocado, crunchy pecans, tart dried cranberries, and a light apple cider dressing, it offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors that celebrate the season.
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 together the rinsed and drained chickpeas, chopped apple, chopped avocado, fresh lemon juice, chopped red onion, pecans or walnuts, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese if using, ensuring ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic until well emulsified. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss to combine all components thoroughly. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately for the freshest taste.
Notes
- This salad is best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the apple and avocado.
- To make it vegan, simply omit the feta or goat cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- For added protein, you can toss in some grilled chicken or roasted tofu.
- Swap pecans or walnuts with almonds or sunflower seeds for a different nutty flavor.
- Use fresh lemon juice to prevent the avocado from browning quickly.
- This salad pairs well with crusty bread or can be served over a bed of mixed greens for extra volume.
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
