Everyone’s favorite tricolore (mozzarella, tomato and avocado) salad made meal-worthy with with the addition of chickpeas! Dressed lightly in a chive vinaigrette, you’ll love the simple flavors and contrasting textures of this quick and easy salad.

Well, it’s winter time and I am posting a salad recipe and that’s just how it’s got to be right now.

I am eating this salad constantly, so I couldn’t not share it. Much like my last pregnancy, this second trimester is allll about the salads. My love of pasta goes out the window a little, I am repulsed by tomato sauces (weird right?) and so dinners that start with a fresh cold salad are just the ticket.

Lately my favorite meal goes like this: I start with this tricolore chickpea salad, and then I add some roasted broccoli or cauliflower, and ta da! A healthy, tasty dinner is served.

Meet the Tricolore Salad / Tricolour Salad

The tricolore salad is an Italian classic. Mozzarella, tomato and avocado. Three colors, hence the name. I usually see it as an appetizer, with the pieces in larger slices arranged all pretty on a plate.

But in this little spin, I’m bulking it out with a can of chickpeas which makes it nice and filling and extra nutritious. I am also chopping everything a little smaller, so it’s closer to being a uniform size, and serving it dressed in a simple chive vinaigrette.

How to serve your Tricolore Salad with Chickpeas

This tricolore salad can find a home in many different meals.

I’ve been serving it as a base for a healthy light dinner, usually alongside some roasted broccoli or cauliflower. A baked sweet potato would also be a great accompaniment.

It makes an excellent lunch all on it’s own, since it’s so filling, or alongside some fresh bread.

It will travel well, so you could bring it to a potluck, or a barbecue when the weather turns nicer.

How to pick the right ingredients + How to customize the recipe

It’s a really simple recipe so you want the ingredients you use to be as tasty as can be.

Make sure to buy a ball of fresh mozzarella, the kind that comes packaged in water. Or some mini mozzarella pearls or bocconcini, which are more expensive but would be aesthetically quite pleasing.

I love to use sweet cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes. It being winter, they aren’t at their best right now, but I just get the nicest looking ones I can find.

Make sure your avocado is perfectly ripe. Lol. Good luck planning that in advance. The recipe calls for 1-2 avocados. It is extra creamy and decadent when you can get two in there, but it works just fine with one.

I make a chive vinaigrette for this salad, but you could use any fresh herbs, or a mix. Basil would be an obvious winner here. I just happen to love the chives.

This makes enough to serve two as a complete lunch or the bulk of your dinner, or four to six as a smaller side dish.

Tricolore Salad with Chickpeas

Yield: 2 large or 4-6 smaller portions

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Everyone's favorite tricolore (mozzarella, tomato and avocado) salad made meal-worthy with with the addition of chickpeas! Dressed lightly in a chive vinaigrette, you'll love the simple flavors and contrasting textures of this quick and easy salad.

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Ingredients

• 1 can of chickpeas, drained
• 100g (3.5oz) of cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 125g (4.4oz) ball of fresh mozzarella, chopped into chunks
• 1 ripe avocado, sliced into chunks
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives

Instructions

In a small bowl or cup, whisk together the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Add the chives. Set aside.

Add the drained chickpeas, avocados, mozzarella and cherry tomatoes to a salad bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and toss until combined. Serve.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 472 Total Fat: 31g Saturated Fat: 9g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 19g Cholesterol: 40mg Sodium: 333mg Carbohydrates: 32g Fiber: 12g Sugar: 6g Protein: 20g

Please note that the nutritional information is an estimate based on software calculations and will not be completely accurate - please use this as a guideline only.