Packed with an array of colorful and nutritious ingredients, this salad is a celebration of flavors and textures that will transport you to sun-drenched shores. Featuring crisp greens, juicy cherry tomatoes, briny kalamata olives, crunchy cucumber, creamy chickpeas, and fragrant cilantro, each bite is a burst of wholesome freshness. Perfect on its own as a light meal or also excellent topped with grilled chicken or shrimp, this unique and delicious salad may just become your new Go To. Let’s begin!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 small cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the dressing:
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, red onion, chickpeas, cucumber, and cilantro. Toss gently to combine.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat all the ingredients with the flavorful dressing. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the Mediterranean Chopped Salad immediately and enjoy the fresh and vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean.
Notes
Opt for a variety of salad greens to add different textures and flavors to the salad. Romaine lettuce, spinach, arugula, or mixed baby greens all work well. Use ripe and juicy cherry tomatoes for the salad to enhance their natural sweetness. If cherry tomatoes are not available, you can substitute them with diced ripe tomatoes. Don’t skip the kalamata olives as they provide a distinct briny flavor that complements the other ingredients. If you prefer a milder olive flavor, you can use black olives instead. To add a burst of freshness and crunch, dice the cucumber just before serving to preserve its texture and prevent it from releasing excess moisture. Feel free to customize the salad by adding other Mediterranean-inspired ingredients such as feta cheese, roasted red peppers, or toasted pine nuts. Enjoy!
*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
