255 calories a serve: the protein-rich salad that's surprisingly filling

Looking for a protein hit without meat? This salad ticks so many boxes we wish we'd discovered it sooner.

high protein chickpea salad recipe

No, salads aren’t boring. You’re just not making them right. I confess I used to hate the idea of having a salad for lunch. Something about limp spinach leaves and grainy tomatoes just didn’t quite do it for me. 

That was until I read an article (aka watched a TikTok) that made me change my tune. What I discovered was I was missing the fundamentals of a good salad: variety. All the ingredients I used to include in a typical salad all kind of tasted the same and had the same texture. But since I started making this creamy chickpea salad, it’s completely changed how I view salads.

What I love about this salad is it’s not just reserved for the warmer months. Salads like this one are perfect any time of the year. Plus it doesn’t have to be the scrappy side dish anymore, it can totally be the main event. 

High-protein meals on the rise

But there’s an old assumption that salads aren’t actually all that filling – let alone have enough protein to keep you satisfied for the rest of the day. Searches for high protein meals are on the rise on taste.com.au, as more and more people seek healthy options that actually keep you fuller for longer.

It’s common knowledge that vegetables are great for your health. They’re rich in vitamins, and high in dietary fibre – but surprisingly – they can also be a good source of protein (no animal products needed!). Legumes – including chickpeas, green peas, sweetcorn, broccoli and more – rank among the vegetables rich in protein. 

Also popular right now: Cypriot grain salad 

How to make the easiest protein-packed salad

Developed by our taste.com.au nutritionist Chrissy Freer, this chickpea salad ticks all the right boxes. It’s loaded with protein thanks to the Greek yoghurt and chickpeas, it has a lovely crunch from the fresh veggies, and it’s smothered in a luscious creamy dressing that keeps you satisfied. 

High protein chickpea salad recipe

This chickpea salad has a total health score rating of 9 out of 10 and contains 14.1 grams of protein per serve, meaning it’s the perfect dish to include as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Plus, it’s meat-free – so both meat-eaters and vegetarians can enjoy it as a post-gym meal, for lunch or even for dinner.

When it comes to making the salad, there’s not a lot to it! Simply blitz the dressing ingredients and pour it over the chopped veg and chickpeas. Voila! 

Originally published as 255 calories a serve: the protein-rich salad that's surprisingly filling