Spiced Hidden Folder-Inspired Chickpea Stew

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-01 · Updated 2026-05-01

A hearty chickpea stew with warm spices that reveals layers of flavor like uncovering hidden folders on a computer. This Mediterranean-inspired vegan recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 40 minutes, pairs olive oil, yellow onion, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 14 oz (400 g) canned diced tomatoes
• 2 cans (15 oz each), drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 large, peeled and diced carrot
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute until the spices release their aroma.
3. Step 3: Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 2 drained cans of chickpeas, 2 cups vegetable broth, and 1 large diced carrot. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes until the carrot is tender and stew thickens.
4. Step 4: Season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Simmer for 2 more minutes, then serve warm.