One-Pot Mediterranean Chickpea and Rice Pilaf

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

A hearty one-pot Mediterranean pilaf featuring fragrant rice and protein-rich chickpeas simmered with savory spices and fresh herbs. This Mediterranean-inspired rice and grain recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs long grain white 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 320 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 long grain white rice
• 1 can (15 oz) canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 2 1/4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin and 1 tsp ground coriander, cooking for 30 seconds to bloom the spices. Add 1 cup long grain white rice and stir to coat the grains with oil and spices for 1 minute.
3. Step 3: Pour in 2 1/4 cups vegetable broth, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed chickpeas, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork, then stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and 2 tbsp lemon juice for brightness before serving.