Cranberry Walnut Chickpea Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Recipe
This vibrant Cranberry Walnut Chickpea Salad features tender chickpeas, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy toasted walnuts, and fresh mixed greens, all tossed in a zesty orange vinaigrette. Perfect as a light meal or a colorful side dish, this salad offers a delicious balance of sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors with refreshing citrus notes from fresh orange juice and zest.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (for toasting walnuts)
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups mixed greens or baby spinach
Orange Vinaigrette
- 1 orange, juiced and zested
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the drained and rinsed chickpeas, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, finely chopped red onion, and mixed greens or baby spinach. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Orange Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the freshly squeezed orange juice, orange zest, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, salt, and pepper until the dressing is well emulsified and smooth.
- Toss Salad: Pour the orange vinaigrette over the combined salad ingredients in the large bowl. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all components evenly with the dressing.
- Let Flavors Meld: Allow the salad to rest for 5 to 10 minutes at room temperature. This resting time helps all the flavors blend together beautifully.
- Serve: Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature. It is perfect as a light meal on its own or as a refreshing side dish.
Notes
- Toast walnuts lightly before chopping to enhance their natural flavor and crunch.
- For variety, substitute dried cranberries with raisins or pomegranate seeds.
- For added creaminess and flavor, consider adding crumbled feta or goat cheese.
- This salad is excellent for meal prep as the flavors deepen and develop over time.
Keywords: chickpea salad, cranberry walnut salad, orange vinaigrette, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, gluten free
