If you know me, you know I’m a huge fan of buffalo anything. From chicken tenders, pasta salad, soup, and more. And a buffalo chickpea salad was next on my list to make and enjoy!
This spicy chickpea salad combines crunchy veggies, fresh herbs, and cheese, and is tossed with a zippy greek yogurt buffalo sauce to bring it all together. Plus, it comes together in about 15-20 minutes, doesn’t require any cooking, and is loaded with flavor, and the flavor gets better as it sits!
Never Miss a Recipe!
Get new recipes like this delivered to your inbox.
Make it for an easy lunch, a side at dinner, or to bring to a potluck or BBQ. In addition, it’s also perfect for meal prep as it holds up well for a handful of days. I love adding some chicken for a full meal.
Why you’ll love this buffalo chickpea salad recipe
- loaded with flavor and easy to make!
- has plant-based protein, complex carbs, fiber, and healthy fats for a balanced side dish.
- perfect for meal prep – the longer it sits, the more flavor it gets!
Is chickpea salad healthy?
Chickpea salad is a healthy and nutritious option to eat. Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a good source of plant-based protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, folate, manganese, and copper. Chickpea salad also contains vegetables, which have vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It’s important to be mindful of the dressing as it can add fat and calories to the dish quickly. Opting for a lighter dressing is important if watching your calorie intake.
Ingredients
- chickpeas
- carrots
- celery
- red bell pepper
- red onion
- cheddar cheese
- fresh dill
- fresh parsley
- hot sauce
- greek yogurt
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- garlic powder
- dried dill
- salt and pepper
How to make buffalo chickpea salad
- Make the dressing. Add hot sauce, greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, dried dill, and salt and pepper to a medium-large bowl and whisk well to combine. Adjust according to taste.
- Make the salad. Add chickpeas, carrots, celery, bell peppers, red onion, cheese, herbs, and salt and pepper to the same bowl. Toss to combine with the dressing to evenly coat the ingredients.
- Enjoy! Let it sit for a couple of hours to let the flavors develop and enjoy.
What to serve with chickpea salad?
- stuff it into sandwiches or wraps
- mixed with protein over some greens for an easy salad
- with fruit
- alongside protein and veggies for an easy meal
How long does chickpea salad last in the fridge?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. As it sits, the veggies will lose some of their crunch.
Can you freeze chickpea salad?
While you can freeze chickpea salad, I wouldn’t recommend freezing this recipe due to the greek yogurt and fresh vegetables used, as their texture will change once defrosted.
Substitutions and additions
- chickpeas – you can use white beans instead if you prefer those.
- veggies – feel free to adjust the veggies according to your preference. You can also add some if you like – cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, or diced cauliflower would all be good.
- cheddar cheese – monterey jack, pepper jack, or blue cheese will all work.
- fresh herbs – feel free to use more or less of one or the other depending on your preference. Chives would be a good substitute as well.
- hot sauce – I like using Franks as it has a good kick to it while bringing in the buffalo flavor. You can also use a homemade buffalo sauce or your favorite store-bought one.
- greek yogurt – dairy or dairy-free yogurt will work. You can also use mayo if you don’t like yogurt.
- dried dill – you can use more fresh dill if needed. Use 1 tablespoon of fresh dill.
And here are some additions to add:
- chicken, tuna fish, or salmon – to bump up the protein!
- grains – to bulk it up even more, add some quinoa or farro.
- avocado – to add some healthy fats and creaminess.
- spices – feel free to add more if you like.
More healthy side dish recipes
- greek chickpea salad
- tomato jicama salad
- healthy broccoli salad with honey mustard dressing
- healthy coleslaw
- roasted potato salad with bacon & broccoli
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Buffalo Chickpea Salad
equipment
- mixing bowl
ingredients
Chickpea Salad:
- 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed (about 3 1/2 cups)
- 1 cup shredded carrots (95 grams)
- 1 cup diced celery (120 grams)
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper (130 grams)
- 1/2 cup diced red onion (60 grams)
- 1 cup diced cheddar cheese (4 1/2 ounces)
- 1/4 cup dill, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley, roughly chopped
- salt and pepper, to taste
Buffalo dressing:
- 1/4 cup hot sauce (I suggest Frank's Red Hot)
- 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- salt and pepper, to taste
instructions
- Make the dressing. Add hot sauce, greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, dried dill, and salt and pepper to a medium-large bowl and whisk well to combine. Adjust according to taste.
- Make the salad. Add chickpeas, carrots, celery, bell peppers, red onion, cheese, herbs, and salt and pepper to the same bowl. Toss to combine with the dressing to evenly coat the ingredients.
- Enjoy! Let it sit for a couple of hours to let the flavors develop and enjoy.
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive so we can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
nutrition
Recipe by Kelly Nardo, Eat the Gains | Photography by Sierra Inn
Get My Guide On
How to Build a Balanced Plate
No recipe, no problem! Learn the key factors to build a balanced plate for sustainable eating and to fuel your body to support your activity, goals, and lifestyle.
I made this for meal prep for lunches and just added shredded chicken breast and the flavors were amazing. I’ll definitely be adding this to the meal prep rotation for yet another delicious Eat the Gains recipe!
Love that addition, I do that too! So glad you enjoyed it, thanks Liberty!