Chickpea Salad Recipe by Michael Symon That’s Fresh and Vibrant

Michael Symon’s chickpea salad sizzles with Mediterranean magic, transforming humble ingredients into a flavor explosion.

Crisp vegetables and hearty legumes dance together in a vibrant medley that awakens your taste buds.

Bursting with proteins and zesty herbs, this recipe elevates simple ingredients to culinary art.

Tangy and earthy notes intertwine, creating a symphony of taste that feels both comforting and exciting.

Each forkful promises a journey through sun-drenched landscapes and fresh garden harvests.

The dish blends textures and flavors so effortlessly that you’ll be transported to a coastal Mediterranean kitchen.

Savor a wholesome, energizing meal that celebrates the pure joy of fresh ingredients.

Instructions for Michael Symon Chickpea Salad

• Tame the Onion's Bite

Dice the onion and drop it into a bowl of cold water. Let it chill for 10 minutes to mellow out its sharp flavor. Drain completely and pat dry.

• Craft a Zesty Chickpea Feast

Toss the softened onions with chickpeas in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle in fresh herbs for a burst of green. Drizzle with fruity olive oil and a splash of bright lemon juice. Shake in a pinch of salt and a grind of black pepper. Mix everything gently, letting the flavors dance together. Cover and slide into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the ingredients get friendly. When you’re ready to serve, give the salad one last loving stir. Taste and tweak the seasonings if needed. This cool, refreshing dish works perfectly as a light lunch or a vibrant side that’ll wake up any meal.

Tips and Variations for Michael Symon Chickpea Salad

• Boost Flavor Intensity: Roast chickpeas for 10 minutes before mixing to add a delightful crunch and deeper nutty undertones that elevate the entire salad's taste profile.
• Herb Swap Magic: Experiment with different fresh herbs like mint, dill, or parsley to create unique flavor variations that match your personal taste preferences or complement your main dish.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: This chickpea salad stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or grab-and-go meals during busy weekdays. Store in an airtight container to maintain maximum flavor and texture.
• Protein Power Boost: Transform the salad into a more substantial meal by adding grilled chicken, feta cheese, or hard-boiled eggs for extra protein and a more filling option that works great for hearty appetites.

How to Serve Michael Symon Chickpea Salad

• Chill and Enhance Flavors: Refrigerate the chickpea salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow herbs and seasonings to meld together, creating a more vibrant taste profile.
• Pair with Protein Companions: Serve alongside grilled chicken, fish, or lamb to create a complete and satisfying Mediterranean-inspired meal that adds excitement to your plate.
• Wrap and Go: Stuff the chickpea salad into warm pita bread or wrap in fresh lettuce leaves for a quick, portable lunch that's perfect for picnics, work, or casual outdoor dining.
• Garnish with Crunch: Top the salad with toasted pine nuts, crispy cucumber slices, or crumbled feta cheese to add textural contrast and extra layers of flavor that elevate the dish.

Storage Guidelines for Michael Symon Chickpea Salad

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Store the chickpea salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, maintaining its vibrant flavors and crisp texture.
• Prep-Ahead Magic: Prepare the salad a day in advance to allow herbs and lemon juice to deeply infuse the chickpeas, creating an even more delicious flavor profile.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Keep the salad chilled until serving time, giving it a quick stir to revive the ingredients and redistribute the zesty dressing.
• Leftover Love: Repurpose remaining salad by adding it to green salads, wrapping in tortillas, or using as a topping for grilled vegetables for a quick and tasty meal transformation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 295 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Michael Symon Chickpea Salad

• Onion: Choose a crisp, firm bulb with no soft spots or sprouting for the freshest taste.
• Lemon: Select a bright yellow, heavy fruit that feels plump and releases easy juice when rolled.

• Chickpeas: Pick canned or freshly cooked chickpeas with smooth, intact skin and creamy interior.

• Olive Oil, Salt, Black Pepper, Chopped Herbs: Select extra virgin olive oil with rich aroma, kosher salt for clean taste, freshly ground black pepper for robust flavor, and vibrant green herbs like parsley or mint for bright, fresh notes.

Kitchen Tools for Michael Symon Chickpea Salad

• Small Bowl: Perfect for soaking and softening diced onions.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping herbs and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for dicing onions and chopping fresh herbs precisely.
• Colander or Strainer: Helps drain water from the soaked onions quickly.
• Mixing Bowl: Large enough to combine all salad ingredients and toss gently.
• Measuring Spoons: Useful for adding precise amounts of salt, pepper, and olive oil.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for mixing and stirring ingredients evenly.
• Refrigerator: Helps chill and marinate the salad for enhanced flavor.

Vibrant Michael Symon Chickpea Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Culinary maestro Michael Symon’s chickpea salad blends Mediterranean flavors with zesty herbs and fresh ingredients. Protein-packed chickpeas mingle with crisp vegetables, creating a refreshing and nutritious dish you’ll crave repeatedly.

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Ingredients

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• 2 (15 oz/425 g) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• ⅓ cup red onion, finely diced
• ⅓ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 3 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsps vegetable oil
• 1½ tbsps lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 1/8 tsp sugar

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Instructions

1. Onion Preparation: Immerse finely chopped onions in cold water for 10 minutes to temper their sharp bite, then drain comprehensively using a fine-mesh strainer, pressing out residual moisture.
2. Flavor Fusion: Combine softened onions with remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl, carefully blending to ensure harmonious integration of components, creating a cohesive and vibrant salad.
3. Seasoning Technique: Elevate the mixture with strategic salt and pepper application, complemented by a zesty lemon juice splash, calibrating the flavor profile to achieve a perfectly balanced taste.
4. Flavor Maturation: Seal the bowl and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to intertwine and develop a more profound and nuanced flavor complexity.
5. Final Presentation: Remove from refrigeration, vigorously stir to reinvigorate the salad’s composition, perform a final taste assessment, and adjust seasoning if necessary. Plate the chickpea salad, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs or lemon wedges to enhance visual appeal and provide an additional citrus dimension.

Notes

• Mellow Onion Technique: Soak chopped onions in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce their sharp, overpowering bite, creating a milder, more balanced flavor profile.
• Flavor Melding Strategy: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow ingredients to blend and develop a more complex, harmonious taste.
• Gentle Mixing Method: Fold ingredients softly to prevent bruising delicate components and maintain the salad’s optimal texture and appearance.
• Final Flavor Adjustment: Taste and season just before serving, using fresh lemon juice and salt to brighten and balance the overall dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 295
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg