Orange-Basil Infused Couscous Salad with Roasted Chickpeas

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-07 · Updated 2026-08-07

A vibrant salad combining fluffy couscous with roasted chickpeas and a bright orange-basil dressing for a refreshing Mediterranean side. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 45 minutes, pairs couscous, boiling water, canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous
• 1 1/4 cups boiling water
• 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 tsp honey
• 2 tbsp red onion, finely diced
• 1 cup baby spinach, chopped

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 1 cup drained chickpeas with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp salt on a baking sheet. Roast for 25 minutes until chickpeas are crispy.
2. Step 2: Place 1 cup couscous in a heatproof bowl, pour 1 1/4 cups boiling water over it, cover tightly with a plate, and let steam for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/3 cup orange juice, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp orange zest, and 1 tsp salt until emulsified.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the fluffed couscous, roasted chickpeas, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 2 tbsp finely diced red onion, and 1 cup chopped baby spinach. Pour the orange-basil dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
5. Step 5: Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to meld flavors before serving.