Sautéed Lemon-Garlic Spinach with Chickpea Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-19 · Updated 2026-06-19

A quick and nutritious sautéed spinach dish brightened with lemon and garlic, paired with a refreshing chickpea salad for a light, wholesome meal. This Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 16 minutes, pairs fresh spinach leaves, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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.

Ingredients

• 6 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 3, thinly sliced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup, drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

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 just beginning to brown.
2. Step 2: Add 6 cups fresh spinach leaves to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until the spinach is wilted but still vibrant green. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp salt.
3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup drained canned chickpeas, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Toss gently to combine.
4. Step 4: Serve the warm sautéed spinach alongside the chickpea salad, seasoning with additional salt or lemon juice to taste.