One-Pan Spiced Chicken with Roasted Chickpeas and Spinach
A savory one-pan dish featuring spiced chicken thighs, crispy roasted chickpeas, and vibrant sautéed spinach for a balanced and flavorful meal. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, drained and rinsed canned chickpeas, fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 4 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 cup, drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a bowl, combine 4 bone-in chicken thighs with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, tossing well to coat each piece evenly.
- Step 2: Spread seasoned chicken thighs on a large rimmed baking sheet and scatter 1 cup drained and rinsed canned chickpeas around them. Drizzle remaining 1 tbsp olive oil over chickpeas and sprinkle a pinch of salt. Roast for 25 minutes until chicken skin is golden and chickpeas are crisp.
- Step 3: While chicken roasts, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 cups fresh spinach and sauté for 3-4 minutes until wilted and tender. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice.
- Step 4: Remove chicken and chickpeas from oven. Serve the roasted chicken atop sautéed spinach with crispy chickpeas scattered over, spooning any pan juices over the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Spiced Chicken with Roasted Chickpeas and Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 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 One-Pan Spiced Chicken with Roasted Chickpeas and Spinach?
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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Spiced Chicken with Roasted Chickpeas and Spinach?
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 One-Pan Spiced Chicken with Roasted Chickpeas and Spinach 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.
What goes well with One-Pan Spiced Chicken with Roasted Chickpeas and Spinach?
Mediterranean chicken 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.