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You are here: Home / 30 Minute Meals / Quinoa and Chickpea Pesto Salad

Quinoa and Chickpea Pesto Salad

30 Minute Meals Main Course Salads

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This Quinoa and Chickpea Pesto Salad is filled with chickpeas, hearty quinoa, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and crumbled feta cheese. It's tossed with a zesty pesto sauce that packs a punch of flavor in every bite. It's easy to prepare and makes simple dish that's perfect for lunch or dinner! #quinoa #quinoasalad #quinoabowl #pesto #pestosalad #chickpeas #chickpeasalad #saladrecipe #healthysalad #healthylunch

This Quinoa and Chickpea Pesto Salad is filled with chickpeas, hearty quinoa, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and crumbled feta cheese. It’s tossed with a zesty pesto sauce that packs a punch of flavor in every bite. It’s easy to prepare and makes simple dish that’s perfect for lunch or dinner!

This Quinoa and Chickpea Pesto Salad is filled with chickpeas, hearty quinoa, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and crumbled feta cheese. It's tossed with a zesty pesto sauce that packs a punch of flavor in every bite. It's easy to prepare and makes simple dish that's perfect for lunch or dinner! #quinoa #quinoasalad #quinoabowl #pesto #pestosalad #chickpeas #chickpeasalad #saladrecipe #healthysalad #healthylunch

Quinoa, chickpeas, and spring kinda just go together, don’t ya think?

I’ve mentioned this before, but I never tried quinoa or chickpeas until about three years ago. I often seem to be behind on the newest food trends, so those took a back seat for a while. Along with hummus, which luckily, I discovered a few years ago and am now addicted to…but that’s another story!

Once I tried these two foods, I was hooked. I whipped up these quinoa bowls, that salad, and this tasty dish. I was buying chickpeas like crazy, roasting them, and tossing them into whatever dish I happened to whip up.

But, unfortunately, it’s been a while since I’ve combined the two. So to make up for the absence, I thought I would put a whole new twist on quinoa and chickpeas by adding in some pesto.

This Quinoa and Chickpea Pesto Salad is filled with chickpeas, hearty quinoa, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and crumbled feta cheese. It's tossed with a zesty pesto sauce that packs a punch of flavor in every bite. It's easy to prepare and makes simple dish that's perfect for lunch or dinner!

Remember when I made my own Basil Pesto last week? Well, I’ve been craving it non-stop and adding it to pretty much anything and everything. And that’s where this Quinoa and Chickpea Pesto Salad comes into play.

This salad is filled with chickpeas, hearty quinoa, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and crumbled feta cheese. It’s tossed with a zesty pesto sauce that packs a punch of flavor in every bite. It’s easy to prepare and makes simple dish that’s perfect for lunch or dinner!

And let me tell you, this salad is definitely not lacking in flavor! The tang from the red onions, the creaminess of the feta, and the basil pesto provides such a delicious combo. It’s light, simple, and refreshing for a spring-time dish.

This Quinoa and Chickpea Pesto Salad is filled with chickpeas, hearty quinoa, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and crumbled feta cheese. It's tossed with a zesty pesto sauce that packs a punch of flavor in every bite. It's easy to prepare and makes simple dish that's perfect for lunch or dinner!

If you love pesto as much as I do, then this salad is calling your name. And you really can’t get much easier than this! The most time consuming part of this Quinoa and Chickpea Pesto Salad is cooking the quinoa. But, really, it’s just boiling some water (or chicken broth for more flavor) and cooking until the quinoa absorbs all of the liquid.

Then, you simply toss the cooked quinoa, chickpeas, red onion, tomatoes, and feta in a bowl. Add some of this Basil Pesto Sauce, or use a store-bought version for convenience, and stir to combine. And that’s it! I told you it was easy peasy (and SO delish)!

So the next time you’re in the mood for a lighter salad, grab those chickpeas, cook that quinoa and whip up this flavorful Quinoa and Chickpea Pesto Salad! Perfect for parties, get-togethers, or just for a light meal, you’ll be making this over and over again!

This Quinoa and Chickpea Pesto Salad is filled with chickpeas, hearty quinoa, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and crumbled feta cheese. It's tossed with a zesty pesto sauce that packs a punch of flavor in every bite. It's easy to prepare and makes simple dish that's perfect for lunch or dinner!

Looking for more easy salad recipes? I’ve got you covered!

  • BLT Ranch Pasta Salad
  • Arugula and Prosciutto Almond Salad
  • Roasted Garlic Green Bean Salad
This Quinoa and Chickpea Pesto Salad is filled with chickpeas, hearty quinoa, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and crumbled feta cheese. It's tossed with a zesty pesto sauce that packs a punch of flavor in every bite. It's easy to prepare and makes simple dish that's perfect for lunch or dinner!
Print Pin

Quinoa and Chickpea Pesto Salad

This Quinoa and Chickpea Pesto Salad is filled with chickpeas, hearty quinoa, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and crumbled feta cheese. It's tossed with a zesty pesto sauce that packs a punch of flavor in every bite. It's easy to prepare and makes simple dish that's perfect for lunch or dinner!
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword pesto recipe, quinoa bowl
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 254kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dry quinoa
  • 1 can (15 ounce) chickpeas drained, rinsed, and patted dry
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • ½ red onion diced
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ¼ cup Basil Pesto or any store-bought pesto

Instructions

  • Cook quinoa according to package directions.
  • Once quinoa is prepared, pour into a medium bowl. Add chickpeas, tomatoes, red onion, feta, and pesto. Stir to combine.
  • Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 256mg | Potassium: 341mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 534IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @pumpkin_n_spice or tag #pumpkin_n_spice!

 

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By Gayle | May 16, 2016

Comments

  1. Mir says

    May 16, 2016 at 5:23 am

    I love how you incorporate feta so well into so many of your dishes. I’m also a huge feta nut, so it gives me ideas for how to use one of my fave cheeses! And this is a perfect use for that incredible pesto!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 7:21 am

      Thank you, Mir! Feta is one of my favorites!

      Reply
  2. Blair @ The Seasoned Mom says

    May 16, 2016 at 5:27 am

    Yep, love pesto! Plus, I’m always looking for new ways to enjoy quinoa. Perfect!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 7:21 am

      Thanks, Blair!

      Reply
  3. Megan - The Emotional Baker says

    May 16, 2016 at 6:34 am

    I love pesto and I’ve recently been enjoying quinoa and chickpeas more and more. This looks like the perfect spring dish and will put my herb garden to work 😉

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 7:23 am

      Thank you, Megan! This salad is definitely perfect for that fresh basil! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Kate @ Framed Cooks says

    May 16, 2016 at 6:39 am

    Your pesto is the gift that keeps on giving! This looks perfectly, healthfully delectable. 🙂

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 7:24 am

      Thank you, Kate!

      Reply
  5. Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says

    May 16, 2016 at 6:45 am

    Oh my gosh, this salad is COMPLETELY up my alley, Gayle! You know I’m a total pesto freak and I can only imagine how flavorful this gorgeous quinoa salad is! So perfect for summer parties. 😀

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 7:24 am

      Thanks, Sarah! This salad is SO easy and yes, perfect for summer! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says

    May 16, 2016 at 6:53 am

    What a delicious way to use your pesto, Gayle! This salad on it’s own is perfect, but I bet that pesto just takes it to another level! Talk about yum and healthy! Perfect for my next bbq or even for lunch today ; )

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 7:24 am

      Thanks for the salad love, Dawn!

      Reply
  7. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says

    May 16, 2016 at 7:04 am

    Gayle, I was the same way when I first starting making pesto at home .. putting it and mixing it into everything! I love this Quinoa and Chickpea Pesto Salad!! LOVE the crumbled feta cheese, what a great add!!! and looks so good!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 7:25 am

      Thank you, Alice! I just can’t get enough of homemade pesto!

      Reply
  8. Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen says

    May 16, 2016 at 7:45 am

    Yum! I love making easy salads with quinoa and chickpeas, but I’ve never thought to add pesto. That is such a great idea! This looks so delicious, especially with the extra pops of flavor from the feta and onion!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 7:55 am

      Thank you, Kristine! I’m now hooked on quinoa with pesto…it’s such a delicious combo!

      Reply
  9. Demeter | Beaming Baker says

    May 16, 2016 at 8:28 am

    Quinoa and chickpeas go together beautifully! And Gayle, I don’t care anything about keeping up with the food trends–as long as you’re enjoying food and having a good time, that’s all that matters, I say! It’s very clear that you are doing just that with beautiful salad. 🙂 I love the combination of quinoa, chickpea and pesto. What a deliciously hearty and textured recipe! Pinning, of course! Also, Happy Monday, my friend. 🙂

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 8:52 am

      Thank you, Demeter! That’s true…food trends definitely don’t matter, as long as the food is good! Happy Monday to you, too!

      Reply
  10. marcie says

    May 16, 2016 at 8:44 am

    We’re definitely quinoa salad twins today! This is definitely perfect for spring and summer and you can never bean chickpeas and pesto sauce in my book! I love eating salads like this for lunch — this looks perfect!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 8:52 am

      Thanks, Marcie! Yay for being quinoa salad twins! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Medha says

    May 16, 2016 at 9:18 am

    Quinoa, pesto, chickpeas? These are seriously some of my all time favorite ingredients to work with- loving this!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 10:48 am

      Thanks, Medha!

      Reply
  12. Ashley - The Recipe Rebel says

    May 16, 2016 at 9:28 am

    Haha! I am TOTALLY even farther behind on food trends. Mostly because I’m a chicken when it comes to trying new things. This is the perfect summer salad! I love the flavor the pesto and tomatoes would give!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 10:48 am

      Haha I love trying new things, but I’m so slow to try them! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    May 16, 2016 at 9:48 am

    I 100% agree that quinoa and chickpeas go with spring.. especially when you add pesto and cherry tomatoes!! This dish looks delicious Gayle! Full of fresh flavor, light yet substantial and filling! Perfect for spring, especially when I’m trying to get back into bathing suit shape!! 😉 Pinned!! Cheers, friend!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 10:49 am

      Thanks, Cheyanne! This is my favorite salad!

      Reply
  14. mira says

    May 16, 2016 at 9:49 am

    Love both quinoa and chickpeas and the combination with pesto sounds awesome! So fresh and delicious! Pinning!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 10:50 am

      Thanks for the quinoa love and pin, friend!

      Reply
  15. Jen | Baked by an Introvert says

    May 16, 2016 at 10:01 am

    I love learning new ways to incorporate quinoa into a meal. This salad looks and sounds so tasty. The pesto is a nice addition for fresh spring flavor!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 10:51 am

      Thanks, Jen! I love finding new ways to use quinoa!

      Reply
  16. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    May 16, 2016 at 10:10 am

    You are speaking my language with this one! I’m always in the mood for basil pesto but for some reason lately, I’ve really been craving quinoa! This salad is all sorts of fresh and delicious!!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 10:52 am

      Sounds like this is the perfect combo for you, Annie! Thank you!

      Reply
  17. Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen says

    May 16, 2016 at 10:32 am

    I’m a huge quinoa fan AND chickpea fan so completely in love with this recipe! Also, such beautiful pictures Gayle!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 10:52 am

      Thanks so much for the kind words, Jessica!

      Reply
  18. Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says

    May 16, 2016 at 1:56 pm

    You know I’m not much of a Quinoa fan, but I think with the pesto this would taste amazing! I love that you added chickpeas too. I wasn’t a fan of them either until recently. This salad looks and sounds incredible! I think I need to eat this every day until the conference, so I can eat healthy. 😉

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 2:41 pm

      Thank you, Cyndi! Quinoa is pretty bland by itself, but I love jazzing it up, especially with pesto!

      Reply
  19. Manali@CookWithManali says

    May 16, 2016 at 4:33 pm

    packed with flavors, wish this was my lunch!!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 4:43 pm

      Thank you, Manali!

      Reply
  20. Ashley@CookNourishBliss says

    May 16, 2016 at 5:21 pm

    Chickpeas are a total staple at our house! I eat a ridiculous amount every week! lol This salad has my name all over it – love the tomatoes and the pesto!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 16, 2016 at 7:01 pm

      Thanks, Ashley!

      Reply
  21. Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says

    May 17, 2016 at 4:07 am

    Oh my goodness I love this salad! I can’t believe you waited so long to try chickpeas and quinoa! They are both so tasty and look absolutely amazing in this salad. Saving =)

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 17, 2016 at 6:15 am

      Thanks for the salad love, Shelby!

      Reply
  22. Amanda says

    May 17, 2016 at 9:47 am

    What a great way to use that basil pesto. Now that I think about it I’m pretty sure I’ve only used quinoa to make porridge. It’s always been sweet and eaten at breakfast. I need to expand my horizons because I’m pretty sure I could just eat a nice portion of this and make it my lunch. Looks great!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 17, 2016 at 9:56 am

      I’ve only used quinoa once in a sweeter dish, though that’s a great way to use it, too! Thanks, Amanda!

      Reply
  23. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says

    May 17, 2016 at 10:12 am

    What a flavorful and creative dish, Gayle! I love pesto and have never tried it with quinoa. That feta is a nice addition too!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 17, 2016 at 11:11 am

      Thanks, Rachelle!

      Reply
  24. aimee @ like mother like daughter says

    May 17, 2016 at 5:00 pm

    This looks like such a filling and flavorful salad. I just want to take a bite right now!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      May 17, 2016 at 7:42 pm

      Thank you, Aimee!

      Reply

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