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    Home » Vegan Main Dish Recipes

    Best Chickpea Chicken Salad (Easy Vegan Recipe)

    By Sarah Pilley Updated Aug 24, 2023 · Published Aug 24, 2023

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    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe
    Scoop of chickpea chicken salad on a large piece of lettuce. Text reads "CHICKPEA CHICKEN SALAD" in white block lettering and "easy vegan recipe" in cursive.

    Vegan Chickpea “Chicken” Salad is the perfect recipe for meal prep for beginners to plant-based cooking and long-time vegans! This is a great easy lunch option for busy days.

    Chickpea chicken salad on a piece of bread with lettuce. Top piece of bread is slightly to the side. A bowl of vegan chicken salad is in the background.

    If you want a surefire way to get your protein and veggies in without putting in more than a couple of minutes of work… this recipe is for you!

    This chickpea “chicken” salad recipe has been my go-to for as long as I can remember since going vegan. It started with a recipe from the Vegan for Everybody cookbook by America’s Test Kitchen and has evolved.

    Not a fan of chickpeas and looking for a meatier texture? Check out our vegan chicken salad recipe with soy curls! It takes a little more time but is another excellent mock chicken option similar to traditional chicken salad.

    There are many ways to change the recipe between additions to mix in with the salad or the ways to serve it.

    Looking for a buffalo chicken kick? Just mix in some buffalo sauce! This tastes great inside a toasted wrap using a homemade chickpea flour tortilla and brings new life to chicken salad.

    Here are some other reasons you will love chickpea “chicken” salad:

    • It is dairy-free, eggless, gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free.
    • It is easy to make and ready in under 10 minutes!
    • It stores well for the whole week in the fridge if meal-prepping.
    • It is customizable! Add in grapes or veggies to your liking.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Fresh Vs Dried Herbs
    • Directions with Pictures
    • Top Tips
    • Variations
    • Ways to Serve
    • Storage
    • More Easy Vegan Meals
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients

    You will need these simple, plant-based ingredients to make smashed chickpea salad:

    Ingredients to make chickpea chicken salad with corresponding written labels: chickpeas, red onion, celery, carrots, vegan mayo, herbs + spices, and lemon juice. Each ingredient is in a separate bowl.
    • Chickpeas - AKA garbanzo beans, are the main ingredient to act as our “chicken” base. You can mash chickpeas as much or as little as you want.
      • We opt for canned chickpeas in this recipe for quick and convenient preparation. However, freshly cooked chickpeas are also great.
      • Alternatives like canelli beans work, but chickpeas yield the best results. You can also use soy curls or jackfruit for a meatier texture.
    • Vegan Mayonnaise - Binds together all the ingredients and flavors.
      • You can use store-bought vegan mayo, homemade tofu mayonnaise, or mashed avocado. In the case of avocado, remember to incorporate additional salt.
    • Lemon Juice - Adds just the right amount of tang.
      • You could also use apple cider vinegar or dijon mustard for a burst of flavor.
    • Celery - Contributes a satisfying crunch to the salad.
    • Carrots - Finely chopped or shredded, add a great crunch to the chicken salad. If you aren’t a fan, you can just leave it out. 
    • Onion - Introduces just the right amount of flavor, a hint of sweetness, and extra crunch.
      • Given its mild flavor, red onion is perfect for using raw. 
      • Other options like yellow onion, white onion, green onion, or shallots also work.
    • Herbs + Spices - Parsley, Dill, Tarragon, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, and Pepper combine to provide the best flavor.

    Please refer to the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions.

    Fresh Vs Dried Herbs

    This recipe is versatile and can be made using fresh or dried herbs. I typically opt for dried herbs since I always have them on hand. But if you have fresh dill, it enhances the flavor of this vegan chicken salad!

    When substituting fresh herbs for dried ones, remember to triple the quantity. To ensure accurate conversion, finely chop the fresh herbs.

    Directions with Pictures

    Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make vegan chickpea chicken salad:

    Step by step picture directions for how to make chickpea chicken salad. Step 1 shows mashing chickpeas with a fork in a bowl. Step 2 shows adding all the ingredients to the mashed chickpeas. Step 3 shows the chickpea chicken salad mixture completely combined. Step 4 shows the chickpea chicken salad on a toasted with sandwich with lettuce on top of a pink plate.
    1. Mash chickpeas with a fork or potato masher until it has reached your desired texture. I like smashing them until they are partially smooth, with just a little chunk left.
    2. Add the remaining ingredients to the chickpea mash in a large bowl.
    3. Thoroughly combine all ingredients. Test the chickpea salad and add more lemon juice, salt, or herbs to your liking. Add pickles, dried fruit, grapes, or other additions if desired.
    4. Serve on a toasted piece of bread or over lettuce. Enjoy!

    Top Tips

    To keep it chunkier, don’t mash the chickpeas as much. You can start by adding 1 can of chickpeas to the bowl and mashing them. Then add the other can and leave them whole.

    If you want the chickpea to be extra smooth, use a food processor instead of mashing by hand. You may need to add a bit of water to the mixture.

    Bowl of vegan chickpea chicken salad on top of a white cloth background.

    Variations

    Think of this recipe as a blank canvas to add your favorite twists. Experiment with different combinations to create your perfect vegan chicken salad!

    • Add Sweetness - Incorporate raisins, dried cranberries, or diced red grapes.
    • Add More Veggies - Mix diced bell pepper, cucumber, or your other go-to veggies. 
    • Add Extra Crunch - Integrate chopped nuts or seeds like walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or popped quinoa. 
    • Increase the Tang - Introduce pickles or dijon mustard. 
    • Make it Ranchy - Substitute the herbs in this recipe with 2 tablespoons of dairy-free ranch seasoning mix to achieve a ranch-like taste.
    • Make it Oil-Free - Swap the vegan mayonnaise for mashed avocado. This is especially great if you have an avocado that has started to brown and you need to use it up. Just add a bit of extra salt to bring out the flavor of the avocado.
    Scoop of vegan chicken salad made with smashed chickpeas on a big piece of lettuce.

    Ways to Serve

    There is no wrong way to enjoy vegan chickpea salad! Here are some ideas for how and what to serve it with:

    • Vegan Chicken Salad Sandwiches - Pile the vegan chicken salad between slices of your favorite bread with lettuce, tomato slices, and maybe even some vegan cheese for a classic sandwich experience. Or make it into a wrap using homemade vegan flour tortillas or chickpea flour tortillas!
    • Vegan Chicken Salad Bowl - Create a nourishing bowl by placing a bed of lettuce at the bottom, then layer on the vegan chicken salad and top with BBQ tofu bites, vegan coleslaw, and some gluten-free cornbread on the side.
    • Vegan Chicken Salad Lettuce Cups - Create bite-sized servings by scooping vegan chicken salad into small lettuce cups. Top with chopped chives or green onions for a perfect party appetizer or snack.
    • Chickpea Chicken Salad Pizza - Spread a layer of vegan cream cheese or hummus on a pre-baked gluten-free pizza crust. Add dollops of vegan chicken salad onto the crust, along with sautéed onions, bell peppers, and your favorite stretchy cashew mozzarella. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
    • Stuffed Bell Peppers - Cut the tops off bell peppers and remove the seeds. Stuff the peppers with vegan chicken salad mixed with quinoa or rice. Bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through.

    Storage

    Store chickpea chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors in this chicken salad recipe just get better over time.

    If you take the vegan chicken salad to school, work, or a picnic, use a well-insulated cooler bag with ice packs to keep it cold. Pack bread, wraps, or chips separately so they don’t get soggy.

    Spoonful of chickpea chicken salad with more vegan chicken salad in a bowl in the background.

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    Did you make this recipe?
    Please leave a rating and tell us how you liked it!

    📖 Recipe

    Chickpea chicken salad on a piece of bread with lettuce. Top piece of bread is slightly to the side. A bowl of vegan chicken salad is in the background.

    Best Chickpea Chicken Salad (Easy Vegan Recipe)

    Vegan Chickpea “Chicken” Salad is the perfect recipe for meal prep for beginners to plant-based cooking and long-time vegans! This is a great easy lunch option for busy days.
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 7 servings
    Author: Sarah Pilley
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    Ingredients

    • 2 15-oz cans of chickpeas about 3 cups total
    • ½ cup vegan mayonnaise
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • ½ cup celery finely chopped, about 2 ribs
    • ½ cup onion finely chopped
    • ½ cup carrot finely chopped or shredded
    • 1 Tablespoon dried parsley flakes
    • 2 teaspoons dried dill
    • 2 teaspoon dried tarragon
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt or more to taste
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions

    • Mash chickpeas with a fork or potato masher until it has reached your desired texture.
    • Add the remaining ingredients to the chickpea mash in a large bowl.
    • Thoroughly combine all ingredients. Test the chickpea salad and add more lemon juice, salt, or herbs to your liking.
    • Mix in other additions like pickles or grapes if desired.
    • Serve on a toasted piece of bread or over lettuce. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Yield: 3 ½ cups
    Serving Size: ½ cup
    Chickpeas: If cooking your chickpeas, use about 3 cups once cooked.
    Variations: The carrots are optional and can be replaced with other chopped veggies, dried fruit, nuts, or just left out completely.
    Storage: Store chickpea chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
    Did you make this recipe? Share your experience! Mention @AlternativeDish on Instagram or Facebook, or drop a comment below—I'd love to hear from you!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 119kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 191mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1607IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

    This recipe has been updated with new pictures and tips. It was adapted from Maggie's recipe that was posted on November 10, 2018.

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    Comments

      5 from 14 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Nisha says

      April 02, 2019 at 7:51 pm

      5 stars
      I love this recipe! I have used it as a main course and as an appetizer. You can serve it as a sandwich filling, as a dip with crackers/veggies, in a lettuce wrap or in a pepper boat! It is quickly becoming one of my go to lunches!

      Reply
    2. Lyndsay says

      April 02, 2019 at 8:39 pm

      5 stars
      I want to eat this every week! It’s so tasty, so filling and so healthy!

      Reply
    3. Karen says

      May 26, 2025 at 7:25 am

      I eliminated onion powder, tarragon & dill
      Substituted shallot for the onion.
      Added 1 teaspoon each of thyme and sage.

      Soaked cranberries in water for 30 minutes then added to the mix.

      Reply
    Headshot of Sarah Pilley.

    Hi, I'm Sarah!

    I’m so excited you stopped by! I'm thrilled to share my passion for tasty vegan food with you on the Alternative Dish. I focus on creating recipes that everyone can enjoy with allergy-friendly tips! 

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