Anyone else on the struggle bus for lunch and dinners this week? I’ll be the first one to raise my hand! This pearl couscous chickpea salad is one that I came up with somewhat on a whim when I wanted something for dinner that was cold and refreshing. Anees had grilled up some chicken for dinner, and I was looking for a side that had a lot of flavor but could still be made with pantry staple ingredients and a handful of fresh herbs from the garden. Because right now, I’m that person that somehow managed to grow basil in my garden?! Pearl couscous chickpea salad with creamy crumbled feta cheese, chickpeas, fresh basil, flat-leaf parsley, cherry tomatoes, and Kalamata olives is what it ended up being and it was so easy and delicious, I decided to share it with you!
What is pearl couscous?
Israeli couscous or pearl couscous is made with semolina flour and is a small round shaped pasta. It is very different from traditional couscous which is crushed durum wheat semolina that is commonly used in North African dishes.
What do you need to make couscous chickpea salad?
Pearl couscous: If you don’t have pearl couscous, you could also use orzo pasta or acini di pepe. Quinoa would also work well for this recipe.shallot: I like the mild flavor that a shallot adds to the dressing, but you could also use minced red onions if that’s what you have on hand.Minced garlic: one clove of garlic helps flavor and marinate the tomatoes for the salad.cherry tomatoes: I like to use small tomatoes for this recipe, however plum tomatoes cut into small chunks or wedges would also work. Bonus points if they’re homegrown!oil + honey + vinegar: Are the heart and soul of the vinaigrette we’ll be making for the salad.fresh lemon: You’ll need both fresh lemon zest and fresh lemon juice for this recipe. These ingredients help flavor the vinaigrette.chickpeas: A can of chickpeas adds protein and bulks up this recipe a bit. If you don’t have chickpeas on hand, you could swap them for great northern beans.kalamata olives: The briny olives add a delicious flavor to the salad.fresh herbs: Parsley and fresh basil add freshness to the salad and make it lighter and adds freshness.crumbled feta cheese: Crumbled feta and kalamata olives go together like PB&J. Feta adds a creamy touch to this salad.
How to make Couscous Chickpea Salad:
How long does leftover salad last?
You can keep leftover salad in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors of the salad are even more pronounced on day 2 but the herbs do wilt down a bit.
What can I serve with this pearl couscous salad?
Pan-seared salmonRoasted Herb Butter Spatchcock ChickenGreek grilled chickenPerfect 1-hour Whole Roasted ChickenLemon Rosemary ChickenGarlic Butter Baked SalmonGarlic Butter Baked Chicken Breasts
The pearl couscous can be replaced with orzo or even 4 cups of cooked quinoa (1 1/4 cup dry).Leftover salad can be kept in an airtight container (or meal prep containers) for up to 4 days. The flavor is actually better as the salad sits!
