Imagine a salad that's not just healthy, but explosively delicious - welcome to the Cucumber Avocado Crispy Chickpea Salad! This isn't your ordinary leafy green dish; it's a culinary adventure that combines crispy, crunchy textures with fresh, vibrant flavors that will transform your meal from boring to extraordinary. Perfect for health-conscious foodies and flavor seekers alike, this recipe promises to be your new go-to summer sensation that's as Instagram-worthy as it is mouth-wateringly delectable.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Cucumber, diced
- Avocado, diced
- Chickpeas, roasted
- Red onion, diced
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the chickpeas.
- Rinse and drain one can of chickpeas. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, which will help them become crispy when roasted.
- Spread the dried chickpeas on a baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to ensure all chickpeas are coated evenly.
- Roast the chickpeas in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Make sure to stir them halfway through for even cooking.
- While the chickpeas are roasting, prepare the fresh ingredients. Dice the cucumber and avocado into bite-sized pieces. Finely dice the red onion.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced cucumber, avocado, and red onion. Gently toss to mix the ingredients without mashing the avocado.
- Once the chickpeas are roasted, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before adding them to the salad.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil and lemon juice to create a dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are well coated.
- Serve the salad immediately for the best texture, garnishing with additional salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
Tips
- Moisture is the enemy of crispiness! Always thoroughly pat your chickpeas dry before roasting to ensure they become perfectly crunchy.
- Use a rimmed baking sheet when roasting chickpeas to prevent any olive oil from dripping in your oven.
- Don't overcrowd the chickpeas while roasting - they need space to get crisp, so spread them in a single layer.
- For extra flavor, try adding spices like smoked paprika, cumin, or garlic powder to your chickpeas before roasting.
- Serve the salad immediately after dressing to maintain the crispy texture of the chickpeas and prevent the avocado from browning.
- For a protein boost, you can add grilled chicken or tofu to make this a more substantial meal.
- If you're preparing in advance, keep the roasted chickpeas, chopped vegetables, and dressing separate, and combine just before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg
