Sautéed Chickpea and Spinach Salad with Lemon-Garlic Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

A warm, nutrient-packed salad featuring sautéed chickpeas and fresh spinach tossed in a bright lemon-garlic dressing, perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs canned chickpeas, fresh spinach, extra virgin olive oil into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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
• 4 cups fresh spinach
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/8 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes

The salad spinner we’d dry the greens in → Best Salad Spinners for 2026: Picks That Actually Dry Greens

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp ground cumin, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
2. Step 2: Add 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed chickpeas to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chickpeas start to turn golden and edges become slightly crispy.
3. Step 3: Add 4 cups fresh spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring gently, for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and reduces in volume.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Toss everything together to evenly coat and serve warm.