Gabi Conac Food

My 5 minutes chickpea & cucumber salad

Hello, fellow flavour sleuths! Today, we’re uncovering a lunchtime gem that’s as quick to prepare as it is delightful to devour: my 5-Minute Chickpea and Cucumber Salad. This salad isn’t just a feast for the eyes—it’s a symphony of textures and flavours that come together in a mere five minutes, making it the perfect solution for busy days when you crave something fresh, nutritious, and utterly satisfying. I came up with this recipe on a random school day last week, and Brook loved it, as seen in the video on Instagram.

5 minutes chickpea & cucumber salad

A vibrant and fresh salad packed with protein, perfect for a quick and healthy lunch. Ready in just 5 minutes, this dish combines crisp cucumber, hearty chickpeas, creamy feta, and boiled eggs with a zesty lemon dressing.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Course:Salad
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Servings: 2
Calories: 300 kcal

Ingredients:

Salad:

  • 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
  • 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced into half-moons
  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas (canned, rinsed, and drained)
  • 2 boiled eggs, halved
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (or creamy Macedonian)
  • A few fresh mint leaves
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
  • 1/4 cup cooked quinoa (or buckwheat/millet)
  • 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • A pinch of Espelette pepper (optional, for dusting eggs)
  • 1 tablespoon Za’atar

Dressing:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon raw honey
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  • In a hot skillet, pop the quinoa for 1 minute until crisp.
  • Place the spinach in a large bowl as the base.
  • Add the sliced cucumber and chickpeas on top of the spinach.
  • Gently place the halved boiled soft eggs on the salad.
  • Sprinkle the feta, chopped dill, mint, popped crisp quinoa, and sliced red onion over the salad.
  • Drizzle with the honey, olive oil, and lemon juice dressing, then season with salt, pepper, a pinch of Espelette pepper, and Za’atar.
  • Gently toss to combine and serve immediately.

Notes:

Customization Tips: Swap spinach for kale, add cherry tomatoes for sweetness, or include avocado for extra creaminess.

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