Spicy Curry Chickpea Salad – Looking to shake up. Your usual salad game? This Spicy Curry Chickpea Salad. Is a flavor-packed dish. That brings together tangy curry and fresh crunchy vegetables. And a touch of sweetness. From golden raisins. The creamy mayo dressing. Paired with hearty chickpeas. Creates a satisfying blend of spice. And sweetness. Perfect for a quick. And refreshing meal. And the best part? It takes just 10 minutes. To prepare!
The first time I whipped up. This salad was on a hot summer day. When I needed something light. But packed with flavor. For a picnic. My husband. Who’s normally indifferent to chickpeas. Couldn’t stop raving. About how delicious it was. Our little one. Who usually picks through salads. Loved the pop of sweetness. From the raisins. And the creamy texture. Since then, it’s become our go-to. For quick, wholesome meals. That satisfies everyone.
What makes this Spicy Curry Chickpea Salad truly stand out?
What really makes this salad stand out? Is the blend of spices. And textures. The curry powder in the dressing. Adds a rich, warm flavor. That contrasts beautifully. With the crunch of fresh vegetables. And almonds. The golden raisins. Bring just the right amount of sweetness. To balance the heat. From the curry. Ideal for meal prep, and picnics. Or a light lunch. This salad is also rich in plant-based protein. Thanks to the chickpeas. Making it not just flavorful. But also nutritious!
What You Need To Make This Spicy Curry Chickpea Salad Recipe?
Chickpeas: These little legumes. Are not only packed with protein. But their mild, nutty flavor. Makes them the perfect base. For this salad. You can mash them as much. Or as little as you like. Depending on how chunky or smooth. You prefer the salad.
Red Bell Pepper: Adds a sweet crunch. And bright color. That really livens up the dish. Plus, it’s loaded with vitamins!
Shallot: Milder than onions. But with a rich flavor. That subtly complements the spices. In the dressing.
Golden Raisins: These bring a sweet, chewy contrast. To the savory curry dressing. Trust me. The raisins take this salad. From good to “wow!”
Cilantro: Fresh and fragrant. Cilantro brings a hint of brightness. To balance out the rich flavors. Feel free to adjust. Based on how much. You like the flavor!
Slivered Almonds: The almonds add a wonderful crunch. And slight nuttiness. To the salad. They’re the perfect texture contrast. To the creamy dressing. And chickpeas.
Steps To Make Spicy Curry Chickpea Salad:
Step 1: Start by rinsing. And draining those chickpeas. Then transfer them. Into a large mixing bowl. Using a fork or potato masher. Mash them up a bit – you want a nice texture. With some chickpeas. Still intact for that bite. Next, toss in the diced red bell pepper, shallot, celery, golden raisins, cilantro, and slivered almonds.
Step 2: In a smaller bowl. Whisk together the dressing ingredients: mayo, lime juice, curry powder, garlic powder, and honey. And a pinch of salt. And pepper. Once it’s all smooth. And creamy. Pour the dressing. Over the salad ingredients. Gently mix everything. Until the chickpeas. And veggies are well-coated. In that dreamy, curry-spiced dressing.
Step 3: Let the salad chill. In the fridge. For about 30 minutes. To let the flavors. Really come together before serving. Enjoy!
Tip:
For the best texture. And flavor in this salad. Don’t over-mash the chickpeas. Leave some whole. For a satisfying bite. In every forkful. If you’re prepping this ahead of time. Make sure to chill it. For at least 30 minutes. Or even overnight – the flavors will meld together. And deepen. You can even add a bit of extra lime juice. Or curry powder. Right before serving. To refresh the flavors. This salad also keeps wonderfully in the fridge. Making it a fantastic option. For meal prep. Just remember to store the dressing separately. If you’re making it ahead!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, it tastes even better. After sitting in the fridge. For a few hours. Just store it in an airtight container. And give it a quick stir before serving.
What can I substitute for mayo?
You can swap the mayo for Greek yogurt. Or a vegan mayo substitute. It will still be creamy and delicious. Just with a slightly tangier taste.
Can I add other vegetables to the salad?
Feel free to throw in some diced cucumbers, and carrots. Or even spinach for added crunch. And nutrition. This salad is super versatile.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Spicy Curry Chickpea Salad
Ingredients
- 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 3 tbsp diced shallot
- 1 large celery stalk diced
- ¼ c golden raisins
- 3 tbsp chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsp slivered almonds
For the Dressing:
- ½ c mayo
- 1 ½ tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the chickpeas: Drain. And rinse the chickpeas. To remove any excess liquid. Then transfer them. To a large bowl. Use a fork. Or potato masher. To mash them slightly. Aim for a mix of mashed chickpeas. And some that remain whole. Which gives the salad. A great texture.
- Add the veggies: To the mashed chickpeas. Add the diced red bell pepper, shallots, celery, golden raisins, cilantro, and slivered almonds. These ingredients bring a mix of sweetness and crunch. And freshness. To balance out the chickpeas.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl. Whisk together the mayonnaise, lime juice, curry powder, garlic powder, and honey. And a pinch of salt. And pepper. Stir until everything. Is well combined. And smooth.
- Combine and toss: Pour the dressing. Over the chickpea. And vegetable mixture. And gently toss. Until all the ingredients. Are evenly coated. In the creamy curry dressing. Make sure every bite. Has a little bit of everything!
- Let it chill: Cover the salad. And pop it. Into the fridge. For about 30 minutes. This allows the flavors. To really meld together. Making the salad. Even more delicious. When served cold.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
