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Crunchy Thai Chickpea Salad: A Quick and Delicious Delight Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 50 reviews

Crunchy Thai Chickpea Salad is a vibrant, healthy, and flavorful dish that combines protein-rich chickpeas with fresh vegetables and a tangy, creamy Thai-inspired dressing. This quick and easy salad is perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing side dish, offering a delightful blend of textures and flavors with the crunch of fresh veggies, the nuttiness of tahini, and a hint of spice.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad

  • 1.5 cups cooked or canned chickpeas
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1 bunch green onions, chopped

For the Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons tahini or smooth peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice or lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (for vegan option)
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil or any neutral oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Toppings

  • Chopped peanuts (optional, omit for nut-free option)
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley
  • Sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chickpeas: Drain and rinse 1 can of chickpeas under cool running water thoroughly. Spread them out on a clean kitchen towel and let them dry for about 5 minutes to remove excess moisture for a better salad texture.
  2. Mix Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the dried chickpeas with shredded carrots, diced red bell pepper, thinly sliced red cabbage, and chopped green onions. Gently toss together until well mixed and evenly distributed.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together tahini, soy sauce or tamari, lime or lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, red pepper flakes, sesame oil, and minced garlic until the dressing is smooth, creamy, and well blended.
  4. Combine Salad and Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Toss gently but thoroughly until every component is evenly coated with the dressing for balanced flavor.
  5. Add Toppings and Serve: Sprinkle chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro or parsley, and optional sesame seeds over the top of the salad. Serve chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing and crunchy Thai-inspired chickpea salad experience.

Notes

  • Prepare the chickpeas and vegetables a day in advance to save time during serving.
  • Store the dressing separately from the salad to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.
  • Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version.
  • For a vegan option, substitute honey with maple syrup.
  • Omit peanuts or use seeds if a nut-free salad is desired.

Keywords: Thai chickpea salad, crunchy salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, no-cook salad, Thai dressing, chickpeas, tahini dressing

Find it online: https://tastemadebyclara.com/crunchy-thai-chickpea-salad-a-quick-and-delicious-delight-recipe/