Best 2 Lemon Quinoa Cilantro Chickpea Salad Recipes

Indulge in a burst of flavors with this delectable Lemon Quinoa Cilantro Chickpea Salad. This vibrant and refreshing salad combines the tangy zest of lemon, the nutty goodness of quinoa, the aromatic freshness of cilantro, and the protein-packed goodness of chickpeas. With its medley of textures and flavors, this salad is a perfect balance of zesty, savory, and tangy notes. It's a versatile dish that can be served as a main course, a side dish, or even as a packed lunch. The article provides three variations of the recipe, catering to different dietary preferences and tastes. Whether you're a vegan, a vegetarian, or a meat-lover, there's a version of this salad that will tantalize your taste buds.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

QUINOA SALAD WITH PRESERVED LEMON AND CHICKPEAS

Quinoa Salad with Preserved Lemon and Chickpeas image

At Balaboosta restaurant in New York City, Chef Admony tosses quinoa with a mixture of chickpeas, preserved lemon, shallots, dried cranberries and cilantro for texture and zest. Plenty of lemon juice and a glug of olive oil help season the dish.

Provided by Food Network

Categories side-dish

Time 1h5m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups quinoa, rinsed
1/3 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup thinly sliced preserved lemon
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup thinly sliced shallots, fried in olive oil until crisp (or left uncooked)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

Combine the quinoa and 2 1/2 cups water in a medium pot and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat so the water gently simmers. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat. Let the quinoa stand, covered, until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain the quinoa in a sieve and let cool completely.
Just before serving, place the quinoa, chickpeas, preserved lemon, cranberries, cilantro, shallots, lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl and toss to combine.

CILANTRO LEMON QUINOA SALAD

Cilantro Lemon Quinoa Salad image

Zesty, hearty and incredibly easy to make, this Cilantro Lemon Quinoa Salad is the perfect make-ahead salad for spring and summer!

Provided by Faith VanderMolen

Categories Salad

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups vegetable broth
1 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (or 1 3/4 cup cooked chickpeas)
large handful of cilantro, chopped
2 avocados, cubed
2 tablespoons olive oil
zest of 1 lemon
juice of 2 small lemons
1 teaspoon liquid sweetener (maple syrup, agave, honey)
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

QUINOA: Start by rising 1 cup of quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. Place the rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of vegetable broth into a sauce pan and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and allow the quinoa to cook for 15-20 minutes or until all of the vegetable broth has been absorbed. Remove the quinoa from the heat, cover the pat and allow it to sit for 5 more minutes. To finish, remove the lid and fluff the quinoa with a fork.
DRESSING: While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the lemon dressing by whisking all of the dressing ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside.
QUINOA SALAD: To assemble the salad, add the cherry tomatoes, chickpeas and cilantro to the quinoa and pour the lemon dressing over top. Stir well to combine. If possible, chill the quinoa salad in the fridge for about 15 minutes to an hour. Right before serving, add in the cubed avocado. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 312 calories, Carbohydrate 38 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 0 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 16 grams fat, Fiber 11 grams fiber, Protein 8 grams protein, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 507 milligrams sodium, Sugar 11 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 13 grams unsaturated fat

Tips:

To save time, use pre-cooked quinoa or chickpeas.
For a creamier salad, mash some of the chickpeas before adding them to the salad.
Add other vegetables to the salad, such as chopped cucumber, bell pepper, or celery.
For a tangy flavor, add a tablespoon of lemon zest to the dressing.
Sprinkle some feta cheese or crumbled goat cheese on top of the salad before serving.

Conclusion:

This lemon quinoa cilantro chickpea salad is a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. It is packed with flavor and nutrients, and it is easy to make. With a few simple tips, you can make this salad even better. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give this salad a try.