Mediterranean-Style Chickpea Salad with Feta and Olives

This Mediterranean-style chickpea salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish that's perfect for summer. It's made with chickpeas, feta cheese, olives, red onion, and parsley, and tossed in a simple olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing. The salad is easy to make and can be served immediately or refrigerated for later.

This salad was inspired by a trip I took to Greece a few years ago. I was visiting the island of Crete, and I had the opportunity to try a variety of traditional Greek dishes. One of my favorites was a simple chickpea salad made with feta cheese, olives, and red onion. I loved the combination of flavors and textures, and I knew I wanted to recreate it when I got home.

Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 0 | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup chopped feta cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, feta, olives, red onion, and parsley.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, and oregano.
3. Pour the dressing over the chickpea mixture and toss to coat.
4. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.

Why It Works

• The chickpeas provide a hearty base for the salad, and the feta cheese adds a salty and creamy flavor.
• The olives add a briny and slightly bitter flavor, and the red onion adds a sharp and pungent flavor.
• The parsley adds a fresh and herbaceous flavor, and the olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing brings all the flavors together.