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A close-up, overhead view of a healthy Cottage Cheese Chickpea Salad in a beige ceramic bowl. Golden roasted chickpeas sit atop a thick bed of cottage cheese, surrounded by diced cucumbers and tomatoes.

Cottage Cheese Chickpea Salad (High-Protein, Deliciously Simple)

This vibrant Cottage Cheese Chickpea Salad is a high-protein, gluten-free powerhouse. Featuring a thick, creamy cottage cheese base and perfectly spiced, crispy roasted chickpeas, it's a satisfying and healthy lunch ready in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can (15 ounces) Chickpeas, rinsed and patted dry
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 cup Full-Fat Cottage Cheese
  • 1/2 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup Diced English or Persian Cucumber
  • 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil For drizzling
  • 1 tsp Black Sesame Seeds
  • 2 tbsp Finely Chopped Fresh Parsley
  • Salt and Cracked Black Pepper, to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Baking sheet
  • 2 Mixing Bowls

Instructions
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat chickpeas completely dry. Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 20-25 minutes, until golden and crispy.
  2. While chickpeas roast, dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and finely chop the parsley.
  3. Spoon the cottage cheese into a bowl to create a base. Top with the warm roasted chickpeas, followed by the cucumbers and tomatoes. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, and garnish with black sesame seeds, fresh parsley, and cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don't Skip Drying the Chickpeas: This is the single most important step for achieving a truly crispy, not chewy, texture.
Use Full-Fat Cottage Cheese: Low-fat versions are often more watery and won't give you the thick, creamy base.
Roast Chickpeas Just Before Serving: They have the best texture and flavor when fresh and warm from the oven.
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