Spiced Chickpea and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-29 · Updated 2026-07-29

A bright and healthy salad featuring chickpeas and quinoa tossed with a zesty lemon dressing and aromatic spices. This Mediterranean-inspired healthy bowl recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs quinoa, canned chickpeas, red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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 uncooked quinoa
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp honey

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup uncooked quinoa under cold water until water runs clear. Combine quinoa and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp honey until emulsified.
3. Step 3: Add the cooked quinoa, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed chickpeas, 1 diced medium red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley to the dressing. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
4. Step 4: Chill salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.