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Weeknight • Chicken

Golden Chicken and Chickpea Skillet

A flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender chicken, chickpeas, and warm spices, perfect for a cozy weeknight.

Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Golden Chicken and Chickpea Skillet

Looking for a hearty, healthy, and incredibly easy dinner that uses just one pan? You've found it! This Golden Chicken and Chickpea Skillet is packed with warming spices and comes together in a snap, making it a new favorite for busy evenings. It's comfort food at its finest, without all the fuss.

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • Cooked couscous or rice, for serving

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet (cast iron works great!) over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. You don't need to cook it through, just get a nice sear. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

  2. Step 2

    Add chopped onion to the same skillet, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cayenne (if using), stirring constantly for 1 minute until fragrant.

  3. Step 3

    Stir in the rinsed chickpeas, diced tomatoes (with their juices), and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

  4. Step 4

    Return the browned chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the chickpea and tomato mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and tender.

  5. Step 5

    Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley and serve hot, ideally over couscous or rice.

Tips

  • Don't overcrowd the pan when browning the chicken; work in batches if necessary to ensure a good sear.
  • For extra flavor, consider adding a squeeze of lemon juice or a dollop of plain yogurt before serving.
  • This dish reheats beautifully, making it excellent for meal prep lunches.

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