Zesty Citrus Quinoa Salad with Avocado and Chickpeas

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-31 · Updated 2026-05-31

A refreshing gluten-free quinoa salad tossed with creamy avocado, protein-rich chickpeas, and a bright citrus vinaigrette. This Mediterranean-inspired gluten-free recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, canned chickpeas 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 rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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, rinsed quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
• 1 medium, diced ripe avocado
• 1 small, finely diced red bell pepper
• 2 stalks, thinly sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork; let cool to room temperature.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
3. Step 3: Add the cooled quinoa, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed chickpeas, 1 medium diced avocado, 1 small finely diced red bell pepper, 2 thinly sliced green onions, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro to the bowl. Toss gently to combine all ingredients and coat with the citrus vinaigrette.
4. Step 4: Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or lemon juice if desired. Chill for 15 minutes before serving for flavors to meld.