High-Protein Mediterranean Chicken & Chickpea Salad

This protein-packed Mediterranean chicken and chickpea salad is packed with bold Mediterranean flavors and plenty of healthy, nourishing ingredients.

Tender chicken breast is paired with chickpeas, quinoa, baby spinach, and creamy feta cheese for a balanced, protein-rich meal that’s both hearty and refreshing. Served cold, it works beautifully as a healthy lunch, light dinner, picnic meal or meal-prep option for busy weekdays.

The ingredient that truly brings this salad to life is harissa, the spicy North African chili paste known for its smoky heat and deep, aromatic flavor. Harissa adds warmth, spice, and complexity without requiring a long list of ingredients.

For the best flavor, we highly recommend using Chef’s Pencil’s homemade harissa recipe, which delivers a fresher and more vibrant taste than most store-bought versions.

High-Protein Mediterranean Chicken and Chickpea Salad

Diana Oana

This high-protein chicken salad combines chickpeas, quinoa, spinach, feta, and spicy harissa for a flavorful and satisfying meal. Fresh, filling, and easy to prepare, it’s perfect for meal prep, healthy lunches, picnics or a quick post-workout dinner.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine International

Servings 2 servings

Calories 256 kcal

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 2 tablespoons harissa paste
• ⅓ cup cooked chickpeas canned, drained
• ¼ red onion finely chopped
• ½ cup cooked quinoa about
• 1 handful baby spinach
• 25-30 feta cheese crumbled
• 150 g cooked chicken breast cut into pieces

Instructions

 

• Prepare the chicken by cutting it into cubes and seasoning with salt, pepper, paprika, or your preferred spices. Bake at 200°C (390°F) for about 15 minutes, or until fully cooked.
• Cook the quinoa according to the package instructions until tender. Let it cool slightly.
• Assemble the salad in a jar or bowl, layering the ingredients in this order to help prevent sogginess: harissa paste, chickpeas, red onion, quinoa, baby spinach, feta cheese, and cooked chicken.
• Before serving, gently shake the jar to combine the ingredients, or transfer everything to a bowl and toss well.
• Serve cold.

Notes

Nutrition

Calories: 256kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 29gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 479mgPotassium: 397mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 224IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 2mg

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Diana Oana

As an award winning food blogger, I started my culinary journey in 2010, driven by a fervent commitment to crafting flavorful, tasty meals that defy the stereotype of bland health cuisine. I love to cook anything from appetizers to main courses and desserts from a wide range of cuisines as well as traditional Romanian dishes.