Chicken Free Cilantro-Lime Millet & Chickpea Salad
This vibrant grain salad is the kind of dish that looks stunning on the table and tastes even better than it looks. Fluffy millet forms the hearty base, while chickpeas bring satisfying protein, and crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, and creamy avocado round everything out with color and texture. The dressing is where it really sings — bright lime juice and zest, warm cumin, a hint of turmeric, and an optional kick of cayenne all whisked together into something bold and craveable. Every ingredient here is whole, plant-based, and completely free from any poultry, so there's zero guesswork about what's in your bowl. It's a great option when you want something filling and fresh without relying on meat at all. Make it ahead and let the flavors meld in the fridge, just fold in the avocado right before serving to keep it perfectly creamy.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the millet
- 1 cup millet
- 2 cups water
- ¼ tsp salt
For the salad
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 english cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- 1 avocado, diced
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Rinse the millet in a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water until the water runs clear, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a medium saucepan with 2 cups water and 1/4 tsp salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a low simmer, cover, and cook until the water is fully absorbed and the millet is tender and fluffy, about 18 minutes.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the millet rest, covered, for 5 minutes, then uncover and fluff with a fork. Spread the millet onto a large mixing bowl or sheet pan and let it cool for at least 10 minutes until no longer steaming.
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