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Weeknight • Vegetarian

Golden Chickpea and Spinach Rice

This vibrant and flavorful one-pot rice dish features tender chickpeas, fresh spinach, and warming spices for a satisfying vegetarian meal.

Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Golden Chickpea and Spinach Rice

Looking for a plant-powered meal that’s both delicious and incredibly easy to make? Say hello to Golden Chickpea and Spinach Rice! This vibrant one-pot wonder is packed with wholesome ingredients and aromatic spices, making it a fantastic vegetarian option for any night of the week. It’s hearty, healthy, and bursting with flavor!

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated (optional)
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • 1 1/2 cups basmati or jasmine rice, rinsed
  • 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 5 oz fresh spinach
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro or lemon wedges for serving

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Add minced garlic and grated ginger (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.

  3. Step 3

    Stir in turmeric, cumin, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until aromatic.

  4. Step 4

    Add the rinsed rice and stir to coat it in the spices. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper.

  5. Step 5

    Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed and rice is nearly cooked. Do not lift the lid during this time.

  6. Step 6

    Stir in the rinsed and drained chickpeas and fresh spinach. Cover again and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted and the rice is fully cooked. If needed, you can add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up.

  7. Step 7

    Fluff the rice with a fork. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve warm, garnished with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lemon juice.

Tips

  • Rinsing the rice helps remove excess starch, preventing it from becoming too sticky.
  • For extra flavor, you can toast the dry spices for 30 seconds before adding the onion.
  • This dish pairs wonderfully with a side of plain yogurt or a simple cucumber salad.

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