Mediterranean Chickpea Chicken Salad (Printable)

A vibrant, protein-packed salad with juicy chicken, creamy feta, crisp vegetables, and briny olives tossed in zesty Mediterranean dressing.

# What you'll need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
02 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables & Herbs

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely sliced
06 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Cheese & Olives

07 - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
08 - 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved

→ Dressing

09 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Preparation steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, feta cheese, and Kalamata olives.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
03 - Pour dressing over salad ingredients and gently toss until evenly coated.
04 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 20 minutes before serving.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like something from a Mediterranean cafe
  • The protein from chicken and chickpeas keeps you satisfied for hours without feeling heavy
  • Every bite delivers that perfect balance of creamy tangy crisp and fresh
02 -
  • Drying your chickpeas thoroughly after rinsing prevents the salad from becoming watery
  • Letting the salad rest for 20 minutes allows the flavors to develop fully
  • The salad tastes even better the next day so making it ahead is actually a bonus
03 -
  • Massaging the red onion with a pinch of salt removes harsh bite while keeping crunch
  • Use a vegetable peeler to shave thin ribbons of cucumber for a restaurant style presentation
Go back