Description
A fresh and flavorful Easy Jennifer Aniston Salad featuring protein-packed quinoa and chickpeas, crunchy pistachios, vibrant herbs, and creamy feta, all tossed in a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a nutritious side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup Quinoa (uncooked)
- 2 cups Water
- 15 oz Chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 1/2 cup Pistachios (chopped)
- 1/2 cup Parsley (chopped)
- 1 cup Cucumber (chopped)
- 1/3 cup Red onion (chopped)
- 1/2 cup Mint (chopped)
- 1/2 cup Feta cheese (crumbled)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 Lemon (medium, juiced)
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Rinse and Cook Quinoa: Start by rinsing the quinoa thoroughly under cold water to remove any bitter taste. Combine the quinoa with 2 cups of water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
- Simmer Quinoa: Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and allow it to cool while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled quinoa, drained chickpeas, chopped pistachios, parsley, mint, red onion, cucumber, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Add Dressing: Drizzle the olive oil and fresh lemon juice over the salad. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
- Mix and Taste: Use two wooden spoons to thoroughly mix the salad. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately or chill before serving.
Notes
- Rinsing quinoa is crucial to remove the natural bitter coating called saponin.
- Feel free to substitute pistachios with walnuts or almonds for different nutty flavors.
- This salad can be refrigerated for up to 2 days, making it great for meal prep.
- Add extra lemon juice or olive oil if you prefer a more tangy or richer dressing.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: quinoa salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, Mediterranean salad, chickpea salad, Jennifer Aniston salad
