Harissa-Spiced Chickpea and Sweet Potato Stew
A North African-inspired stew with tender sweet potatoes, protein-packed chickpeas, and a smoky harissa kick, served with warm bread. This North African-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs sweet potatoes, chickpeas, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, 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 lbs, peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
- 1 1/2 cups, canned and drained chickpeas
- 1 cup, chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp harissa paste
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Stir in harissa paste, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add sweet potatoes, tomato sauce, and coconut milk. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.
- Step 3: Stir in chickpeas and cook for 5 minutes. Season with remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Garnish with cilantro and serve with warm pita bread or rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Harissa-Spiced Chickpea and Sweet Potato Stew take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (30 min prep + 30 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 Sweet Potato 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 sweet potatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Harissa-Spiced Chickpea and Sweet Potato 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 Sweet Potato Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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.
What goes well with Harissa-Spiced Chickpea and Sweet Potato Stew?
North African soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 30-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
