One-Pot Mediterranean Chickpea and Herb Rice

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-05 · Updated 2026-05-05

A vibrant one-pot rice dish combining tender chickpeas with fresh herbs and toasted spices, perfect for a wholesome meal. This Mediterranean-inspired rice and grain recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs basmati rice, canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed, 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

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium (about 150g) onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and soft. Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp ground coriander; cook, stirring, for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 1 cup basmati rice and cook for 2 minutes to toast the grains lightly, stirring frequently so they do not burn.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup drained and rinsed canned chickpeas, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and let rest covered for 5 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and serve warm.