Are you ready to elevate your salad experience from boring to extraordinary? This Chickpea and Squash Salad is not just a dish—it's a flavor explosion that will make your taste buds dance with joy! Packed with roasted butternut squash, protein-rich chickpeas, and tangy feta, this vegetarian masterpiece is about to become your new go-to recipe for a quick, nutritious, and absolutely delicious meal that looks like it was prepared by a professional chef.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups butternut squash, cubed
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and gather all your ingredients.
- Rinse and drain the chickpeas, then set them aside in a large bowl.
- Peel the butternut squash, remove the seeds, and cut it into 1-inch cubes.
- Add the cubed butternut squash to the bowl with the chickpeas.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the chickpeas and squash, then mix well to coat.
- Season the chickpeas and squash with salt and pepper to taste, then spread them evenly on a baking sheet.
- Roast the chickpeas and squash in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the squash is tender and slightly caramelized.
- While the chickpeas and squash are roasting, dice the red onion and crumble the feta cheese.
- In a large serving bowl, combine the roasted chickpeas and squash, diced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese.
- For the dressing, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Serve the Chickpea and Squash Salad immediately or refrigerate for later.
Tips
- For maximum flavor, make sure to cut your butternut squash into uniform 1-inch cubes to ensure even roasting.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet when roasting chickpeas and squash—this helps them caramelize beautifully instead of steaming.
- For extra crispiness, pat your chickpeas completely dry before roasting.
- Experiment with additional herbs like fresh thyme or rosemary for added depth of flavor.
- If you want a bit more kick, try adding a pinch of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes to your roasting mix.
- This salad tastes even better the next day, so don't hesitate to make it in advance for meal prep!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 15mg
