Cinnamon-Spiced Chickpea Stew with Tomatoes and Spinach

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-16 · Updated 2026-05-16

A warming vegetarian stew featuring chickpeas simmered with fragrant cinnamon, tomatoes, and fresh spinach for a comforting meal. This Middle Eastern-inspired vegan recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs canned chickpeas, olive oil, yellow onion 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 rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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 cans (15 oz each), drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 can (14.5 oz) canned diced tomatoes
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 4 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and soft.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 2 drained and rinsed cans of chickpeas, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice, and 2 cups vegetable broth. Stir well, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 15 minutes to thicken.
4. Step 4: Add 4 cups fresh baby spinach, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir until the spinach wilts, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice before serving.