Sautéed Chickpea and Spinach Stir-Fry with Garlic and Lemon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-06 · Updated 2026-05-06

A quick and nutritious sauté of chickpeas, fresh spinach, and garlic with bright lemon zest for a vibrant vegetarian side or light main. This Mediterranean quick recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, and canned chickpeas for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves
• 1 1/2 cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 5 cups packed fresh spinach
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp optional red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
2. Step 2: Add 1 1/2 cups drained and rinsed canned chickpeas to the skillet, stirring frequently for 4-5 minutes until they begin to brown and crisp on the edges.
3. Step 3: Add 5 cups packed fresh spinach to the pan, stirring continuously until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Cook for another minute to combine flavors.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and serve warm as a side dish or light vegetarian main.