Chickpeas are an excellent source of protein. Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are an ancient pulse, or legume, originating from Turkey in 7,000 B.C. They are a nutrient-dense food and pack tons of protein, fiber and other nutrients into your meal, without offering a lot of calories. Chickpeas are delicious in salads, pastas or pureed into hummus. Consuming chickpeas is a surefire way to add several key nutrients to your diet.