Herb-Infused Chickpea and Spinach Stew
A comforting, fragrant vegetarian stew featuring tender chickpeas and fresh spinach simmered with aromatic herbs and spices. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed, fresh spinach leaves, olive oil 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
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium (about 1 cup) yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp ground coriander and cook, stirring, for 1 minute until spices release their aroma.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 cups drained chickpeas and 2 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Add 4 cups fresh spinach leaves and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until wilted. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 tbsp lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Serve hot with crusty bread or over rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Infused Chickpea and Spinach Stew take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Herb-Infused 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 fresh spinach leaves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Infused 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 Herb-Infused 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 Herb-Infused 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.
