Addicting chickpeas, drenched in red hot sauce, served over crisp lettuce, and drizzled with ranch. This Buffalo Chickpea Salad is SO good!
Yield: 4
Ingredients
Cool Tahini Ranch:
1/3cuptahini
3-4tablespoonsunsweetened almond milk
2tablespoonsfreshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2teaspoononion powder
1/2teaspoongarlic powder
2tablespoonschopped fresh parsley
2tablespoonschopped fresh chives
1/4teaspoonkosher salt + more to taste
1/4teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper + more to taste
Spicy Buffalo Chickpeas:
1tablespoonolive oil
115-ounce can chickpeasdrained
1/4cupred hot buffalo saucedivided
1/4teaspoongarlic powdercan substitute 1 small clove garlic, minced
1/4teaspoonkosher salt
1/8teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
Salad:
5cupsshredded romaine lettuceor a combo of romaine and red leaf lettuce
1batch Spicy Buffalo Chickpeas
1celery stalkdiced; [about 1/2 cup]
1/2medium cucumberpeeled and diced [about 1 cup]
1medium ripe avocadopeeled and sliced
1/2small red onionsliced into half-rounds [soak in a bowl of ice water for 10 minutes if you prefer to reduce the bite]
1batch Cool Tahini Ranch
Equipment
1 medium saute pan
1 small bowl
1 large salad bowl
Instructions
Make the dressing
Add all dressing ingredients to the bowl of a small food processor or blender. Puree until blended, adding additional almond milk if needed to thin it. Set aside.
Cook the chickpeas
Set a medium saute pan over medium heat. When hot, add the olive oil. Add the chickpeas, 2 tablespoons of the buffalo sauce, garlic or garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring, until warmed through and golden brown in places, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in additional 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce. Set aside.
Assemble the salad
In a large salad bowl or on individual plates (your choice), arrange a bed of lettuce. Scoop the warm chickpeas over the top. Arrange celery, cucumber, avocado, and onion over each. Drizzle generously with dressing. Serve immediately.
Notes
A note on servings
I'd say this serves 2-3 as a hearty main course, and more like 4 as a side.