Rice Chickpea Salad

Brighten up your mealtime with this vibrant and nutritious Rice Chickpea Salad, a quick and easy recipe perfect for busy weekdays or relaxed gatherings. Bursting with fresh flavors from crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, and zesty red bell pepper, this salad combines the hearty texture of fluffy rice and protein-packed chickpeas. Tossed in a tangy cumin-spiced dressing of olive oil and lemon juice, and topped with a sprinkle of fresh parsley (and optional crumbled feta for a savory finish), this dish offers a delightful balance of textures and Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Ready in just 15 minutes and served chilled or at room temperature, it’s a healthy, make-ahead option that doubles as a refreshing side or a satisfying light meal. Keywords: rice chickpea salad, quick salad recipe, Mediterranean salad, healthy side dish, vegetarian salad recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup canned chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
• 1 medium cucumber (diced)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 medium red bell pepper (diced)
• 0.25 cup red onion (finely chopped)
• 0.5 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 cup feta cheese (optional, crumbled for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Cook your rice according to package instructions, if not already prepared. Allow the rice to cool completely before assembling the salad.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, rinsed chickpeas, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, chopped red onion, and chopped parsley.

Step 3

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 4

Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss everything together to ensure even coating.

Step 5

Taste the salad and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more lemon juice, salt, or pepper to suit your preference.

Step 6

If desired, garnish with crumbled feta cheese before serving.

Step 7

Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy chilled or at room temperature!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1403.1 grams (1403.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1583

Total Fat 64.10g	82%
Saturated Fat 16.60g	83%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 53mg	18%
Sodium 2323mg	101%
Total Carbohydrate 208.80g	76%
Dietary Fiber 29.20g	104%
Total Sugars 29.70g
Protein 48.30g	97%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 814mg	63%
Iron 23mg	125%
Potassium 3019mg	64%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.9%

Protein: 12.0%

Carbs: 52.0%