One-Pan Chickpea and Spinach with Lemon Zest
A vibrant, protein-rich meal where tender chickpeas and fresh spinach are elevated by bright lemon and aromatic spices. This Mediterranean-inspired one-pot recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs olive oil, onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, 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 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small, finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 can (15 oz), rinsed and drained chickpeas
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 cups, fresh spinach
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 small onion, finely chopped, and 2 cloves garlic, minced, and cook for 3 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and cook for 5 minutes until the chickpeas are slightly crispy.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups fresh spinach and 1 lemon, zested and juiced, and cook for 2 minutes until the spinach wilts, then season with salt and pepper to taste.









