Sautéed Chickpea and Spinach Stir Fry with Garlic

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick and nutritious stir fry featuring garlic-scented chickpeas and fresh spinach, perfect as a light vegetarian main or side dish. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian, gluten free) ready in about 15 minutes pairs drained and rinsed canned chickpeas, olive oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 230 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 230 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 1.5 cups drained and rinsed canned chickpeas to the skillet, stir occasionally for 4-5 minutes until they start to brown slightly and become crisp on the edges.
  3. Step 3: Add 5 cups fresh baby spinach to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until the spinach wilts and reduces in volume.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chickpea and Spinach Stir Fry with Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (5 min prep + 10 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 Sautéed Chickpea and Spinach Stir Fry with Garlic?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chickpea and Spinach Stir Fry with Garlic?

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 Sautéed Chickpea and Spinach Stir Fry with Garlic for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.

Is Sautéed Chickpea and Spinach Stir Fry with Garlic vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes