Preserved Lemon & Chickpea Stew with Smoked Paprika
A North African-inspired stew featuring tender chickpeas simmered with preserved lemons and smoky paprika, served with crusty bread for dipping. This north african-inspired vegetarian ready in about 40 minutes pairs chickpeas, preserved lemon, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 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 can (15 oz/425g), drained and rinsed chickpeas
- 1, rinsed and finely chopped preserved lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 medium (60g), diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp salt
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat; add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in minced garlic and cumin seeds, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add chopped preserved lemon, smoked paprika, and drained chickpeas; stir to coat evenly.
- Step 4: Pour in chicken broth and add salt; bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes until flavors meld.
- Step 5: Taste and adjust salt if needed; serve hot with crusty bread for dipping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Preserved Lemon & Chickpea Stew with Smoked Paprika take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Preserved Lemon & Chickpea Stew with Smoked Paprika?
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 chickpeas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Preserved Lemon & Chickpea Stew with Smoked Paprika?
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 Preserved Lemon & Chickpea Stew with Smoked Paprika 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 Preserved Lemon & Chickpea Stew with Smoked Paprika?
North African vegetarian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to vegetarian dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
