Slow-Cooked Spanish Chickpea Stew with Smoked Paprika
A hearty and comforting stew featuring tender chickpeas simmered with smoked paprika and fresh vegetables for a rich, smoky flavor. This spanish (vegetarian, gluten free) ready in about 135 minutes pairs dried chickpeas, olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 cup dried chickpeas
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 2 medium, diced carrot
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak 1 cup dried chickpeas in cold water overnight, then drain and rinse well.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion, 2 diced medium carrots, and 1 diced medium red bell pepper, sautéing for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp ground cumin; cook for 1 minute until spices are aromatic.
- Step 4: Add the soaked chickpeas, 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with liquid, 3 cups vegetable broth, and 1 bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours until chickpeas are tender and stew thickens.
- Step 5: Remove the bay leaf, season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Spanish Chickpea Stew with Smoked Paprika take to make?
Total time is about 135 minutes (15 min prep + 120 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 Slow-Cooked Spanish Chickpea Stew with Smoked Paprika?
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 dried chickpeas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Spanish Chickpea Stew with Smoked Paprika?
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 Slow-Cooked Spanish Chickpea Stew with Smoked Paprika for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Slow-Cooked Spanish Chickpea Stew with Smoked Paprika 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This stew was a hit at my Sunday family dinner—smoky, rich, and perfect with crusty bread!
- ★★★★☆
Loved the depth of flavor, but it was slightly bland for my taste—added extra smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne to fix it.
- ★★★☆☆
Chickpeas were mushy and the broth tasted watery. Didn’t follow the recipe exactly, but still disappointing.







