High Protein Caprese Chickpea (Printable)

Protein-packed Italian-inspired bowl with chickpeas, tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil ready in just 10 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables & Legumes

01 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 cup cucumber, diced

→ Dairy

04 - 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls, halved

→ Herbs & Greens

05 - 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

→ Pantry

06 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Steps:

01 - Place chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and mozzarella balls in a large mixing bowl.
02 - Drizzle olive oil over the mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
03 - Add torn basil leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste.
04 - Transfer to a serving platter or individual serving plates.
05 - Drizzle with balsamic glaze and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in literally ten minutes but tastes like you put way more thought into it
  • The protein from chickpeas keeps you satisfied for hours unlike those wimpy side salads
  • Balsamic glaze makes everything feel fancy even on a Tuesday night
02 -
  • Dont skip rinsing the chickpeas thoroughly, that canned liquid tastes weirdly metallic and ruins the fresh vibe
  • Let the salad sit for like five minutes after tossing, the flavors actually get better during that short time
  • Balsamic glaze is thicker than vinegar and way sweeter, so dont try to substitute unless you want a totally different flavor profile
03 -
  • Buy the balsamic glaze instead of making it yourself, life is too short and the store bought stuff is excellent
  • Let your mozzarella come to room temperature while you prep everything else, it tastes way more luxurious that way

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