Colorful Broccoli and Chickpea Crunch Salad Recipe for Lunch

Fresh, vibrant ingredients dance together in this mouthwatering broccoli and chickpea crunch salad recipe that promises a delightful burst of flavor and texture.

Crisp broccoli florets mingle with hearty chickpeas, creating a nutritious powerhouse that satisfies both hunger and taste buds.

Crunchy almonds and a zesty dressing add an exciting dimension to every bite.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of protein, greens, and satisfying crunch that will make your lunch or dinner something to look forward to.

The combination of ingredients brings a Mediterranean-inspired freshness that feels both light and filling.

Quick to prepare and packed with wholesome goodness, this salad transforms simple vegetables into a star dish.

Let’s find out this colorful creation and experience a meal that nourishes and delights.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 270 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredient List for Broccoli and Chickpea Crunch Salad

• Broccoli: Crisp green powerhouse packed with nutrients, choose firm florets with deep green color and no yellow spots.
• Chickpeas: Hearty protein source that adds creamy texture, select well-drained canned chickpeas or freshly cooked ones.
• Yellow Bell Pepper: Vibrant sweetness and crunch, pick bright, firm peppers without blemishes.
• Celery: Adds refreshing snap and subtle earthy notes, look for bright green stalks with crisp texture.
• Red Onion: Sharp flavor that enhances overall salad complexity, choose firm onions with tight, smooth skin.

• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and elevating taste profiles.
• Maple Syrup or Honey: Natural sweetener that rounds out dressing's tangy notes, select pure, high-quality varieties.

• Slivered Almonds: Provides delightful crunch and nutty undertones, toast lightly for enhanced flavor.
• Goat Cheese: Creamy, tangy element that adds luxurious depth, select fresh, high-quality crumbled cheese.
• Tahini: Smooth sesame paste creating rich, nutty dressing base, choose pure, well-stirred tahini.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acidity that lifts entire salad's flavor profile, use freshly squeezed for best results.
• Water: Helps achieve perfect dressing consistency.

Tools Required to Make Chickpea Crunch Salad

• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for chopping vegetables and ingredients safely.
• Chef's knife: Sharp blade for precise chopping of broccoli, bell pepper, celery, and onion.
• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container to combine all salad ingredients easily.
• Small bowl: Used for whisking and mixing the dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Perfect tool for blending dressing components into a creamy consistency.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure salt, maple syrup, and other liquid ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Ensures precise liquid measurements for the dressing.

How to Assemble Broccoli and Chickpea Crunch Salad

• Veggie Prep

Gather your fresh broccoli, bell pepper, celery, and red onion. Slice and chop these colorful ingredients into bite-sized pieces that will make your salad pop with texture and flavor.

• Salad Base

Combine the chopped vegetables in a spacious mixing bowl. Add protein-packed chickpeas, crunchy slivered almonds, and tangy crumbled goat cheese to create a robust foundation for your salad.

• Creamy Dressing

In a separate small bowl, blend tahini with water, maple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk until the mixture transforms into a silky, smooth dressing that will tie all the ingredients together.

• Final Flourish

Pour the luscious dressing over your salad mixture. Gently toss everything together, ensuring each ingredient gets a delightful coating of the zesty, creamy sauce. The result is a vibrant, nutritious salad bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Tips for Crunchier, More Flavorful Salad

• Chop vegetables and store separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days, making this salad a super quick weekday lunch option.
• Swap goat cheese for grilled chicken, tofu, or hard-boiled eggs to increase protein content and create different meal variations.
• Toast almonds in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra texture to the salad.
• Replace tahini with Greek yogurt for a tangier dressing, or use almond butter for a richer, creamier consistency that still maintains the salad's nutritious profile.
• Add roasted seasonal vegetables like butternut squash in fall or cherry tomatoes in summer to keep the salad exciting and match current produce availability.

Serving Suggestions for This Power Salad

• Vibrant Lunch Companion: Pack this salad in a mason jar for a colorful midday meal at work or school, layering dressing at bottom and ingredients on top to keep everything crisp.
• Mediterranean Mezze Plate Partner: Serve alongside warm pita bread, hummus, and grilled lamb skewers to create a delightful Mediterranean-inspired spread that showcases the salad's fresh ingredients.
• Protein-Packed Meal Upgrade: Transform this salad into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken, quinoa, or hard-boiled eggs for extra protein and sustained energy throughout the day.
• Summer Picnic Star: Bring this chilled salad to outdoor gatherings, potlucks, or backyard barbecues where its crunchy texture and tangy dressing will impress fellow food lovers and provide a refreshing side dish.

Keeping Chickpea Crunch Salad Fresh and Crisp

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store this vibrant salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping the crunch and freshness intact.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the chopped vegetables and dressing separately, combining them just before serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.
• Smart Ingredient Separation: Keep nuts and cheese in separate sealed containers to prevent moisture absorption and maintain their crisp, distinct textures.
• Lunch Prep Hack: Portion the salad into individual meal-prep containers for quick grab-and-go lunches, ensuring a delicious and nutritious midday meal throughout the week.

Vibrant Broccoli and Chickpea Crunch Salad

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Broccoli and chickpea crunch salad delivers a Mediterranean-inspired blend of crisp vegetables and protein-packed legumes. Zesty lemon dressing and crunchy seeds create a refreshing dish you’ll crave for lunch or as a satisfying side.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 medium head broccoli, chopped into small pieces (4 cups / 946 mL)
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) chickpeas, rinsed
• 3 oz (85 g) crumbled goat cheese
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• ⅓ cup (79 mL) chopped red onion
• ¼ cup (59 mL) slivered almonds
• ¼ cup (59 mL) tahini
• 3 tbsps (45 mL) lemon juice
• 3 tbsps (45 mL) water
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) maple syrup or honey
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Chop broccoli florets into uniform bite-sized pieces, ensuring consistent texture and visual appeal.
2. Vegetable Composition: Slice bell peppers and finely mince red onion into delicate slivers, then dice celery stalks into slender segments.
3. Protein Integration: Combine prepared vegetables with chickpeas in a large mixing bowl, creating a nutritious foundation.
4. Texture Enhancement: Sprinkle slivered almonds and crumble goat cheese over the vegetable mixture to introduce complexity and depth.
5. Dressing Creation: Whisk tahini with water, maple syrup, lemon juice, kosher salt, and black pepper to form a creamy, balanced dressing.
6. Final Assembly: Drizzle dressing over the salad and gently toss, ensuring every ingredient is evenly coated and harmoniously blended.

Notes

• Chop Broccoli Precisely: Cut florets into uniform 1/2-inch pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the salad.
• Prepare Vegetables Strategically: Slice bell peppers, onions, and celery thinly to create a delicate, balanced mouthfeel and enhance overall presentation.
• Balance Protein and Crunch: Add chickpeas and almonds for substantial protein boost and satisfying textural contrast that elevates the salad’s nutritional value.
• Dress with Care: Whisk tahini dressing thoroughly to achieve smooth consistency, and drizzle gradually while tossing to coat ingredients evenly, maximizing flavor distribution.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 270
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg