Garlic and Herb Sautéed Spinach with Toasted Chickpeas

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A quick side dish featuring tender spinach sautéed with garlic and topped with crunchy toasted chickpeas for a satisfying texture contrast. This Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs olive oil, garlic cloves, fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 180 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 can (15 oz) drained chickpeas, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until chickpeas are golden and crisp. Remove chickpeas from skillet and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 8 cups fresh spinach and stir continuously for 3-4 minutes until wilted and tender.
  4. Step 4: Season the spinach with 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Toss to combine.
  5. Step 5: Serve spinach topped with the toasted chickpeas for a crunchy finish.

Related recipes