Harissa-Spiced Chickpea and Spinach Stew

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant North African stew combining protein-packed chickpeas, tender spinach, and a smoky harissa paste served with warm pita bread. This north african-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs (canned, drained) chickpeas, (fresh, chopped) spinach, (diced) 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 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.

★ 4.6 (8 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 North African cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in harissa paste, tomato paste, cumin, and salt. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add chickpeas and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add spinach in batches, stirring until wilted and incorporated. Cook for 5 minutes until spinach is tender. Stir in parsley.
  4. Step 4: Serve stew hot with toasted pita bread. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Harissa-Spiced Chickpea and Spinach Stew take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Harissa-Spiced Chickpea and Spinach Stew?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (canned, drained) chickpeas from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Harissa-Spiced Chickpea and Spinach Stew?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Harissa-Spiced Chickpea and Spinach Stew for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Harissa-Spiced Chickpea and Spinach Stew vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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