One-Pot Quinoa and Chickpea Pilaf with Spinach

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-02 · Updated 2026-06-02

A nutritious and simple one-pot meal combining fluffy quinoa, protein-packed chickpeas, and vibrant spinach, lightly seasoned with warm spices. This Mediterranean-inspired one-pot recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs quinoa, canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed, fresh spinach, roughly chopped 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 quinoa
• 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium (about 150g) onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 2 1/4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely diced onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic.
2. Step 2: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin and 1 tsp ground coriander, cooking for 1 minute to toast the spices gently.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup quinoa and 1 cup drained and rinsed canned chickpeas, stirring to coat them in the spice mixture.
4. Step 4: Pour in 2 1/4 cups vegetable broth, then add 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed.
5. Step 5: Remove the lid and fold in 3 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach. Cover again and allow spinach to wilt for 2-3 minutes.
6. Step 6: Finish by stirring in 1 tbsp lemon juice. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if desired. Serve warm.