Only 6 ingredients needed
Time for a great summer chickpea salad that provides plenty of protein and needs no cooking. Even better, it requires only 6 ingredients, plus spices. As a vegetarian main or a side dish, this salad delivers your veggies in a delicious package!
This is another recipe from one of my favorites: The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook. It features chickpeas, arugula and carrots, plus Kalamata olives and a lemony dressing.
Growing arugula in pots
Since this salad uses arugula, let’s detour a minute to my backyard. This year I decided to grow a few greens in some leftover empty pots. I filled each pot with soil and used one packet of lettuce seed for one pot and a packet of arugula seed for the other. After growing for about 4-6 weeks, here are the results:
Lettuce:
Bunnies 1, Sula 0
Arugula:
Bunnies 0, Sula 1
I guess the rabbits don’t appreciate the “peppery” taste of arugula. I will definitely grow this again! So convenient just to walk out and harvest it. Since I only needed a half-cup for this salad, my one-pot garden provided more than an adequate supply.
How to make Chickpea Carrot and Arugula Salad
The closest this recipe comes to cooking is the chickpeas. Microwave them for 2 minutes until hot, then a simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice and seasoning is added. Then let ‘em sit for at least 30 minutes – this helps the flavor infuse the chickpeas, rather than just being a superficial taste.
The rest of the ingredients are then added and tossed together. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.
Voila!
Colorful, delicious, and healthy!
Chickpea Salad with Carrots and Arugula
Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas rinsed and drained
- ⅛ cup olive oil extra-virgin
- 1 TB lemon juice
- salt and pepper
- dash of cayenne pepper
- 2 medium carrots peeled and shredded
- ½ cup arugula (baby) chopped coarse
- ¼ c Kalamata olives pitted and chopped
Instructions
- Microwave chickpeas in a medium bowl until hot, about 2 minutes. Stir in oil, lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon salt, about ⅛ teaspoon of pepper and a dash of cayenne pepper. Let sit for 30 minutes.
- Add carrots, arugula and olives and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Pin this Chickpea salad for later!
You might also enjoy Mediterranean Chopped Salad or Chickpea Avocado Salad!
Jess
I also love all the flavors you get in this one salad! Nice work!
Sula
Thank you, its a favorite for sure!
Fran
This is a beautiful salad! I love that you have pictures of every step!
Sula
I hope you give it a try - it's as tasty as it is pretty!
Andréa Janssen
This looks so delicious and really easy. I'm also growing my arugula in pots, so I've got lots of them (they do grow really quick). There must be enough in short time for this salad 😉
Sula
LOL yes, it seems to grow back as quickly as I use it!
Chef Dennis
This Chickpea, Carrot and Arugula Salad is perfect! Loving all those colors that made it more appealing! Yum!
Sula
Isn't that so true? Somehow when it's colorful it just seems to taste better!
Patrice
This salad looks so colorful and healthy. That's great you were able to grow your own arugula. Growing my own salad greens and herbs has been on my to-do list!
Sula
Yes, as you can tell, I live in an area with a lot of critters. Even so, herbs are easy to grow. I've been very successful with oregano, basil and parsley. Now arugula will also become an annual "crop." 🙂
Jess
I grow spinach but will have to try arugula next. I love everything about this.
Sula
It's very easy to grow!
Amy Chung
Awesome combination of ingredients. Well done on growing the arugula!
Sula
Thank you, it's become a favorite here for sure.
Christie
I'm always looking for new salad recipes. This looks lovely!
Sula
It definitely helps to have lots of salad options to mix it up!
Michele
Great tip on microwaving the chickpeas to get them to absorb the dressing. Made a BIG difference
Sula
Glad it worked out!
Emily
Fresh, simple and easy...my kind of dish!! I love arugula and can't wait to try a new way to serve it!
Sula
Perfect for summer!
Vincit
Oops. Forgot to give a star rating!
Vincit
I wouldn't have thought it's possible, but I like Arugula and in this salad it's particularly tasty. Good one!
Big Trouble
Mmm, this looks delicious! And it's so easy!!! I am on my way to being vegan, so this is a great recipe to get me started. Thanks, Sula!
Sula
I hope you give it a try!