Marinated Chickpeas with Whipped Feta Recipe
This delightful Marinated Chickpeas with Whipped Feta dish combines tender chickpeas marinated in aromatic spices with a creamy, tangy whipped feta blend. Perfect as an appetizer or side, it offers a harmonious balance of smoky, herbal, and slightly sweet flavors. Serve it with pita, naan, or fresh veggies for a crowd-pleasing Mediterranean-inspired treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Marinated Chickpeas
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Whipped Feta
- 1 block (8 ounces) feta cheese
- 1/2 block (4 ounces) cream cheese
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Zest of 1/2 lemon
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cup water (adjust as needed)
Instructions
- Combine Chickpeas: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained and rinsed chickpeas, ensuring they are ready for marinating.
- Whisk Marinade: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, dried oregano, smoked paprika, chopped cilantro, salt, and black pepper to create the marinade.
- Marinate Chickpeas: Pour the olive oil mixture over the chickpeas and toss them thoroughly to coat evenly. Allow the chickpeas to marinate while you prepare the whipped feta, letting the flavors meld beautifully.
- Prepare Whipped Feta: Place the feta cheese block, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon zest, and honey into a food processor.
- Blend Whipped Feta: Blend the ingredients until smooth and creamy. If the consistency is too thick, gradually add water until the desired smoothness is reached.
- Season Whipped Feta: Taste the whipped feta and adjust the seasoning as preferred by adding more honey or lemon zest to balance flavor.
- Assemble Dish: On a serving platter or individual plates, spread a generous layer of whipped feta as the base.
- Add Chickpeas: Spoon the marinated chickpeas evenly on top of the whipped feta layer.
- Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro and crushed red pepper flakes over the chickpeas to add color and a touch of heat.
- Optional Drizzle: Drizzle extra olive oil on top and optionally sprinkle additional smoked paprika or black pepper for enhanced flavor.
- Serve: Serve immediately as a flavorful appetizer or side dish, accompanied by pita bread, crackers, naan, or fresh vegetables for dipping.
Notes
- For best flavor, allow chickpeas to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to a few hours.
- If you prefer a vegan version, replace feta and cream cheese with vegan cheese alternatives and Greek yogurt with plant-based yogurt.
- The whipped feta can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Adjust the honey according to your preferred sweetness level.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature depending on your preference.
Keywords: marinated chickpeas, whipped feta, Mediterranean appetizer, easy vegetarian recipe, Greek yogurt dip
