If you’re looking for a light, refreshing, and flavorful salad that’s packed with Mediterranean flavors, this Greek Chickpea Salad with Tzatziki Dressing is a perfect choice. It’s vibrant, healthy, and loaded with colorful vegetables like cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, and red onions. The addition of chickpeas provides a hearty protein punch, while Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese add a burst of savory goodness. Tossed with a creamy homemade tzatziki dressing, this salad is perfect for lunch, as a side dish, or even a light dinner.
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
- 2 medium English cucumbers, chopped
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cups of cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half
- 1 medium red onion, diced
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
For the Tzatziki Dressing:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (dairy-free option: coconut yogurt)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon of fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon of dried dill)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ medium cucumber, grated and squeezed to remove excess water
Instructions:
- Prepare the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped cucumbers, yellow bell pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, drained chickpeas, and Kalamata olives. Toss everything together until well mixed.
- Make the Tzatziki Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped fresh dill, salt, and black pepper. Grate the cucumber and use a clean kitchen towel or paper towel to squeeze out any excess moisture. Stir the grated cucumber into the yogurt mixture until everything is well combined.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared tzatziki dressing over the chickpea salad and toss to coat all the vegetables and chickpeas evenly with the dressing.
- Add the Feta Cheese: Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the salad.
- Chill and Serve: For the best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.
Conclusion:
This Greek Chickpea Salad with Tzatziki Dressing is a bright and refreshing dish that brings the best of Mediterranean flavors to your table. The creamy tzatziki dressing adds a delightful tang, while the chickpeas provide a satisfying bite. Perfect for hot summer days or as a healthy addition to any meal, this salad is versatile, easy to prepare, and bursting with fresh ingredients. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering or enjoying it on your own, this Greek salad is a nutritious and delicious choice.