Alternative School-Inspired Spiced Chickpea Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-08 · Updated 2026-05-08

A warming stew featuring spiced chickpeas simmered with tomatoes and fragrant spices, inspired by nourishing community meals. This Middle Eastern-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed, olive oil, onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 14-oz can canned diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 finely chopped medium onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until the spices are fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 2 cups drained canned chickpeas, 1 14-oz can diced tomatoes with juices, and 1 cup vegetable broth. Season with 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
4. Step 4: Bring the stew to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook uncovered for 20 minutes until slightly thickened and flavors meld.
5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro just before serving. Serve hot with crusty bread or rice.