Aniston Salad (Healthy & Protein-Packed)
The Aniston Salad is inspired by Jennifer Aniston’s favorite go-to salad, which she reportedly ate daily while filming Friends. This salad is light, fresh, packed with protein, and loaded with Mediterranean flavors! It features a mix of quinoa (or bulgur), chickpeas, feta, cucumber, fresh herbs, and a lemony dressing.
A fresh and nutritious Mediterranean-style salad with quinoa, chickpeas, and feta, perfect for meal prep or a refreshing lunch!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes (for quinoa)
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Salad:
1 cup quinoa, cooked and cooled (or bulgur wheat for a more traditional version)
1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
½ cup cucumber, diced
½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
⅓ cup red onion, finely diced
⅓ cup feta cheese, crumbled
¼ cup pistachios, chopped (adds crunch!)
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped (optional, but adds freshness!)
For the Lemon Dressing:
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1 teaspoon honey (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (for depth of flavor)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Cook the Quinoa (or Bulgur)
Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water.
Cook according to package instructions (usually 1 cup quinoa + 2 cups water, simmer for 10 minutes).
Let cool before assembling the salad. (For bulgur, soak it in hot water for 10-15 minutes until fluffy.)
Prepare the Salad
In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, feta, pistachios, parsley, and mint.
Toss gently to mix.
Make the Dressing
In a small jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
Pour over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
Serve & Enjoy!
Let the salad sit for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Tips & Tricks
Make It Vegan – Swap feta for vegan feta or avocado.
Extra Protein? – Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for more protein.
Meal Prep Friendly! – Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Crunch Boost! – Add pomegranate seeds or sunflower seeds for extra texture.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
(Approximate values, depends on ingredients used)
Calories: 320-350 kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 18g
Fiber: 6g
Sodium: 420mg