Sautéed Chickpea and Spinach Medley with Garlic and Lemon
A vibrant vegetarian dish combining tender chickpeas and fresh spinach sautéed with garlic and bright lemon for a nutritious, flavorful side or main. This Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian recipe (gluten free), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs canned chickpeas, fresh spinach, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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), drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
- 6 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 4 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden but not burnt.
- Step 2: Add the drained 1 can (15 oz) of chickpeas to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until the chickpeas start to brown slightly and develop a nutty aroma.
- Step 3: Add 6 cups of roughly chopped fresh spinach to the skillet, stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and reduces in volume.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Cook for another 1 minute until the lemon juice is absorbed and the flavors meld.







