This easy, simple vegan recipe is great for a quick lunch on-the-go or just a lazy Sunday at home. You can pack this recipe as a school or work lunch or as a road trip snack! This Vegan Chicken Salad made with chickpeas is so versatile, it can be the main course, atop a bed of greens, pressed into a yummy sandwich, or easily a star side dish!
With only 13 ingredients, (some can be optional) you’ll love the crunch the almonds and celery provide, while the dill and scallions really brighten up your palate! Enjoy this simple 4-step vegan favorite any time of the year!
Easy Vegan Chicken Salad Recipe
Vegan, gluten-free (2 servings)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chickpeas
- 1/4 cup almonds, chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, diced
- 1/3 cup scallions, chopped
- 1/3 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- 1/3 cup vegan mayo
- 1 TBSP lime juice
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp pink Himalayan salt
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp basil
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions:
- Mashup your cooked chickpeas in a bowl with a fork.
- Add in all of the remaining ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste. The cayenne pepper is optional in this recipe. I like the heat!
- Once mixed to the consistency of your liking, serve on a bed of mix greens or make a sandwich.
- Serve and enjoy!
(Pictured: Sprouted bread, toasted, filled with chickpea salad, topped with spinach, avocado, and sliced tomato.)
Health Benefits:
This recipe is packed with a variety of vegetables but the real star of this meal is the chickpeas. Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, provide an excellent source of minerals, vitamins, and fiber to the diet. These beans have become popular in recent years in making hummus, used as a salad topper or as a meat alternative. However, chickpeas have been used in middle eastern cultures for thousands of years. They have a nutty-like flavor with a slightly grainy texture, great for binning ingredients together or in making a well-balanced vegetarian meal. Chickpeas contain a moderate amount of calories, with approximately 2 grams of fiber and 3g of protein per 1 ounce serving. Chickpeas are filling from their high source of fiber, which may help curb your appetite and reduce calorie intake at meals. The fiber in chickpeas is soluble, meaning it blends with water and forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract. Soluble fiber may help increase the number of healthy bacteria in your gut and prevent the overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria. This can lead to a reduced risk of some GI conditions like IBS & leaky gut. They also stabilize blood sugar levels and may help with managing diabetes. Chickpeas score low on the glycemic index (GI), which is the marker for how quickly your blood sugar rises after eating a food. Overall, chickpeas are delicious in taste and have a very nutritious profile. They are worth trying whether you are vegan or not!