The popular Jennifer Aniston Salad with Quinoa and Chickpeas is a perfect summer salad in simple lemon vinaigrette dressing.
Looking for light refreshing and wholesome salad??!! this Vegan Quinoa salad with Chickpeas, cucumber, pistachios and herbs is a must try option for all salad lovers.
This is Gluten-free, Protein rich salad recipe, packed with lemony flavors and the recipe is adaptable as per the availability of ingredients.
About Jennifer Aniston Salad
This simple Quinoa Chickpea Salad in lemon dressing took the internet by storm when somewhere it was published that Jennifer Aniston, of Friend's fame, everyone's favourite Rachel said in an interview that she had this salad everyday for 10 yrs. on the sets of Friends series. Her salad had bulgur wheat.
In an other clip on instagram saw that this is not the salad Jen had. IT was a different cobb salad with bacon, chicken, lettuce and chickpeas.
Don't know how much true is that but I saw so uncountable variations of this salad by co-bloggers, on tik tokk and instagram.
Like everyone, I too tried this salad and instantly fell in love with the Aniston Salad. It's worth all the hype!! Whether the story behind this salad is true or not, but I love this chickpea salad with quinoa and so will you!! A true Jen fan should try it, if you still haven't tried it!! You can thank me later :)!!
Why should I make this Jennifer Aniston Salad
This Quinoa and Chickpea Salad is packed with nutrition. the fluffy protein rich Quinoa and chickpeas, crunchy cucumbers and sweet onions with nutty pistachios, it is full wholesome meal.
It is a flavour punch with simple lemon dressing and my favourite Italian dressing. You can make your favourite dressing.
One of the best ways to use leftover cooked Quinoa.
Takes just 10 mins to make if you have pre cooked Quinoa and boiled/canned Chickpeas.
You can pack it for lunch, make for picnics, barbeque lunches or dinner. Serve it as an appetizer at your game day get together with pita or nachos.
Ingredients to make Jennifer Aniston Salad with Quinoa and Chickpeas
Quinoa- the original salad recipe by Aniston is made with Bulgur Wheat but for the post I have used Quinoa. You can use bulgur wheat if there are non Gluten allergies. Quinoa is gluten-free and is a complete protein as it has all the 9 essential amino acids required by our body including lysine, which is not easily found in plant protein.
Chickpeas- these are another great source of protein including fibre. I prefer using pre-boiled chickpeas. You. can use canned chickpeas also. Check here How to Cook Dried Chickpeas/Instant Pot Chickpeas.
Cucumber- Use English or Persian cucumbers or any local variety. Do not use the ones with large seeds. It adds a nice crunch.
Red Onion- Adds more crunch and flavour. Soak onion in water for 1-2 mins. This takes out the bitter taste from onion.
Tomato- I like to add 1-2 tomatoes. Discard the pulp and seeds.
Feta cheese- Add protein and so much flavour to the salad. You can also substitute it with goat cheese or crumbled fresh cottage cheese (paneer). For the vegan quinoa salad skip feta but, it definitely adds flavour to salad.
Pistachios and Pumpkin Seeds- Add good fat, antioxidants and other nutrients.
Herbs- Mint, parsley definitely add refreshing flavour. I have added Cilantro/fresh coriander instead of parsley. You can also add fresh basil.
Lemon Vinaigrette- Lemon, EVVO, Salt, Black Pepper powder, Italian seasoning ( You can skip it or use your preferred one), sweetener (optional). I have added 1 tsp jaggery powder to balance the flavours and I love a bit of sweetness with tangy lemon. You can skip sweetener if your want. Also, use sugar (organic)/maple for vegan salad and honey in case there are no Vegan restrictions.
You can make a big batch of seasoning and refrigerate it to use for next 2-3 days.
How to make Jennifer Aniston Salad
Cook Quinoa
To make the salad first of all cook Quinoa. You can cook it in Instant Pot or in open pan. Check the post How to cook Quinoa in Instant Pot Click Here.
For this post I cooked Quinoa in open pan. In the recipe we need 1 cup cooked Quinoa. Cook 1 cup quinoa in 2 cups water, which gives around 3 cups cooked Quinoa.
- Wash Quinoa very nicely 2-3 times. Discard the water.
- Cook it as per the instructions on the package or check this post here.
- Cool Quinoa completely before using it to make salad.
Make Lemon Vinaigrette / Salad Dressing
In bowl/jar add EVOO, lemon juice, black pepper, sweetener(maple syrup/sugar/honey if using) and some salt. Add salt as required as there some salt in quinoa also. Whisk nicely(in bowl) or shake the bottle after putting the cap/lid vigorously to mix all the ingredients. Refrigerate it till further use.
You can make the vinaigrette 2-3 days ahead and use for other salads.
Make Salad
- Chop cucumber, onion, tomato and herbs.
- Soak onion in water for 10 mins., it removes the bitter taste from it. Drain the water completely before adding to salad.
- If using canned chickpeas then drain it and rinse in water.
- In a mixing bowl add all the ingredients (chickpeas, quinoa, chopped veggies and herbs.
- Mix the everything nicely.
- Instead of making the vinaigrette you can directly add the seasoning ingredients in salad and combine everything together.
Substitutes for the ingredients
- Instead of Quinoa you can use bulgur wheat, farro pasta, couscous, sorghum, buckwheat or lentils.
- You can use goat cheese instead of feta. My readers from India can even add crumbled cottage cheese(paneer).
- You can add different vegetables for more fibre, nutrition and flavour like lettuce, corn, peppers, avocado as per your preference and availability.
- Add raisins/dried cranberries or blueberries for the sweet taste.
- Instead of pistachios you can add walnut/roasted almonds, cashew nuts, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve this salad immediately or chill for a couple of hrs before serving.
The salad is good to serve on it's own but you can always serve it with your main meals especially with grilled vegetables/meat. Or, you can serve it in tacos, with nachos, pita or crackers as an appetizer for game day get togethers or weekend parties.
Related: Roasted Vegetables, Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, Baked parmesan sun dried tomato and crackers, Carrot Ginger Soup (Stove-top and Pressure Cooker Recipe),
FAQ's
It is a good option for your weekday meal planning. Make a batch and pack in small jars/boxes as per the portions required.
Skip adding salt and seasoning and add later before having it.
Also, prefer adding pistachios/nuts so that it stays crunchy, And also add feta before having the salad.
I won't recommend to freeze this salad as the texture and taste of the salad won't remain the same after thawing. Although you can freeze the cooked quinoa for about a month and use it as and when required.
You can refrigerate the salad or the leftovers it in air tight jars or boxes. Stays good for 2-3 days.
Skip Feta cheese to make it vegan.
Check some healthy and delicious recipes with Quinoa
Check here more nutritious and wholesome Salad recipes
Recipe Card
Jennifer Aniston Salad/Quinoa Chickpea Salad
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Knife
- Chopping Board
- Mixing Spoon
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
Ingredients
- 1 cup Cooked Quinoa or ½ cup Raw Quinoa
- 1 cup Boiled/Canned Chickpeas
- 1 Cucumber (English/Persian or any local variety)
- 1 small Tomato
- 1 small Red Onion
- Pistachios and Pumpkin Seeds as required
- Fresh Mint and Cilantro as required
For Lemon Vinaigrette
- 1 Lemon juice it
- ¼ cup EVVO
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning optional
- Salt as per taste
Instructions
Cook Quinoa
- Wash Quinoa very nicely 2-3 times.
- Cook it as per the instructions on the package or check this post here.
- Cool Quinoa completely before using it to make salad.
Make Lemon Vinaigrette / Salad Dressing
- In bowl/jar add EVOO, lemon juice, black pepper, sweetener(maple syrup/sugar/honey if using) and some salt.
- Add salt as required as there some salt in quinoa also. Whisk nicely(in bowl) or shake the bottle after putting the cap/lid vigorously to mix all the ingredients. Refrigerate it till further use. step
- You can make the vinaigrette 2-3 days ahead and use for other salads.
Make Salad
- Chop cucumber, onion, tomato and herbs. Soak onion in water for 1-2 mins.. This step removes the bitter taste from onion and makes it more crisp.
- If using canned chickpeas then drain it and rinse in water.
- In a mixing bowl add all the ingredients (chickpeas, quinoa,chopped veggies and herbs. Mix the everything nicely.
- Serve it immediately or chill it for a couple of hrs.
Do try this healthy, nutritious and so delicious the popular Jennifer Aniston Salad. You are totally going to love it.
Also, whenever you try the recipe, I will love to hear/share your feedback or any queries in the comment section below. I will try to answer your queries as soon as possible.
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Thanks for stopping by!! Keep coming back!!
Swati
Lince
Superbb..loved this salad
Swati
Thank you so much Lince for your feedback!! Keep visiting and trying out the recipes!!