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Home » Recipes » Recipes

Smoky Chickpeas with Spinach

Published: Jan 21, 2017 · Modified: Jan 2, 2020 by Marisa Moore·

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Smoky Chickpeas with Spinach is a healthy, budget-friendly meal that’s full of flavor, packed with protein and just happens to be vegan!

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Smoky Chickpeas with Spinach I’m sharing one of my tried and true recipes today. I was inspired to make this chickpea recipe several years ago after eating something similar at a Spanish restaurant. I think it was Barcelona Wine Bar, where I had a spinach and chickpeas tapas dish that I loved.

Smoky Chickpeas with Spinach

Tapas. That’s another topic. I love them, but I never feel satisfied after a dinner of little plates. Maybe it’s my southern roots?

Anyway. I took the idea from that dish and flipped it – letting chickpeas take the lead for a more filling meal. I added smoked paprika to add savory, meaty flavor without any actual meat.
Smoky Chickpeas with Spinach

This month’s recipe redux challenge is healthy budget-friendly meals. Whether you overdid it during the holidays or are feeling uncertain about how the economy will fare this year, it’s a good idea to keep the food budget in check.

This chickpea recipe can help. It’s vegan, packed with protein, filled with fiber, fast to make, and less than $3 per serving! What’s not to love?

Need a quick meal? Make these Vegan Smoky Chickpeas with Spinach in under 10 minutes! Click to Tweet

Why add beans to your diet?

When eating healthy on a budget, pulses are the first food to come to mind. Pulses include hundreds of varieties of dried beans, peas and lentils. I could write a book on the power of pulses and why you should eat them. But I’m sure you’re here for the recipe, so I’ll just share these main reasons why you might want to pick up and prepare a bag (or can!):

  • Pulses are an excellent source of fiber and plant-based protein and a number of other important vitamins and minerals like folate and magnesium.
  • They may help prevent chronic diseases and help lower blood sugar levels, cholesterol and weight.
  • Dried beans, peas, and lentils have a low carbon footprint making them a good choice for the environment.

Tips for the best chickpea and spinach recipe

  • Cook the spices in the olive oil. This helps release the aromatic oils and heighten the flavor throughout this recipe. Watch me make it in the video!
  • Don’t crowd the pan. If you add too much too a small skillet the chickpeas will be soft and not get that lovely caramelized flavor.
  • Use more spinach than you think is comfortable. It will shrink so feel free to use an entire bunch or bag of spinach.

Make this budget-friendly meal!

Though it sounds fancy, it’s one of the easiest recipes to make with just a few ingredients. I know smoked paprika and turmeric are not in everyone’s kitchen, so I included it in the final cost. Smoked paprika is critical to the flavor in this simple dish – don’t skip it.

Vegan on a Budget

Assuming you already have salt and pepper in the pantry, here’s how the cost breaks down:

1- 15 oz. can chickpeas  = $1.00 (I buy Simple Truth Organic)

1- 5 ounce package fresh spinach (triple washed) = $2.50

2 T extra virgin olive oil = $.40

2 cloves garlic = $0.16

1 t smoked paprika = $0.10

½ t ground turmeric = $0.10

Entire recipe = $4.26/$2.13 per person

This recipe is even cheaper if you skip the shortcuts. A bundle of spinach that you’d have to thoroughly clean yourself will cost a lot less, and a pound of dry chickpeas costs less than a dollar at my market. Like most things in life, you pay in dollars or time. And the way my life is set up right now, I choose to save time.

Confession: This recipe had a former life. I’ve since advanced my photography skills a bit and changed the recipe a little too. Take a look if you dare! 

And be sure to check out the video of me making it!

Here’s the current version of the recipe. Before you head out, be sure to PIN this recipe for later. And tag me on Instagram when you make it

Follow Me on Pinterest!

Smoky Chickpeas with Spinach

Smoky Chickpeas with Spinach

Marisa Moore, RDN
Smoky Chickpeas with Spinach is a healthy, budget-friendly meal that's full of flavor, packed with protein and just happens to be vegan!
4.94 from 16 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 minutes mins
Cook Time 7 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Entree, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Mediterranean
Servings 2 entrees
Calories 355 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 2 cups cooked chickpeas (1-15 oz. can, rinsed and drained)
  • 6 cups fresh spinach
  • 2 tablespoon water or vegetable broth

Instructions
 

  • Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a skillet. Add the garlic, turmeric, and smoked paprika. Stir. Heat the oil and spice mixture 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. 
  • Add chickpeas and stir to coat with the oil and spice mixture. Add spinach and water. Cook over medium heat until the spinach wilts. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve!

Video

Notes

Tips for the best chickpea and spinach recipe:
  • Cook the spices in the olive oil. This helps release the aromatic oils and heighten the flavor throughout this recipe.
  • Don't crowd the pan. If you add too much too a small skillet the chickpeas will be soft and not get that lovely caramelized flavor.
  • Use more spinach than you think is comfortable. It will shrink so feel free to use an entire bunch or bag of spinach.

Nutrition

Calories: 355kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

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Filed Under: Blog, Easy Healthy Recipes, Entrees, Recipe ReDux, Recipes, Sides

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    4.94 from 16 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. India

    May 07, 2025 at 11:51 am

    4 stars
    This recipe is a great jumping off point for me. I’m going to try this again with a little chili powder or red pepper with a southwest yogurt drizzle on top…maybe a little cilantro…so many possibilities with this recipe as a base.

    Reply
  2. Javier

    April 25, 2025 at 9:55 am

    I LOVE THIS RECIPIE !!!!!!!!! Your posts are very enjoyable to read, I love what you create. NEVER STOP !!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  3. Henri Molenhuis

    December 15, 2024 at 7:05 pm

    I enjoyed it . Easy to put together. Needs more punch in the flavour

    Reply
  4. Vicki

    May 07, 2024 at 2:24 pm

    5 stars
    Oh, this is delicious! I added crushed red pepper. So, so yummy!

    Reply
  5. Karen

    March 15, 2024 at 10:12 am

    I’m making this dish today with a bag of frozen organic chopped kale. I won’t alter anything else. I’m going to let the kale thaw a bit to lose some water. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

    Reply
  6. Barbara

    March 08, 2021 at 6:08 pm

    Great recipe. I added a little Harissa paste to the spices, and cooked for a few minutes, then chickpeas (that I had made the day before in my instapot), and cooked a little more. I served it over quinua-rice fusilli, and it was delicious. Thanks so much.

    Reply
  7. Mary C Price

    February 08, 2021 at 6:02 pm

    I had one meal planned for tonight, but when it came around to making it, I just didn’t have the energy. I stumbled across this recipe and it was the perfect energy level for tonight. It’s got wonderful flavors and I paired it with some Naan bread. This was a wonderful supper.

    Reply
  8. Jillianne

    June 08, 2020 at 10:27 pm

    5 stars
    We were running low on groceries tonight and needed a last minute side dish for dinner. I am a vegetarian, and my carnivore husband who originally said he didn’t want any loved these as well! Will definitely be adding these into our regular rotation! 🙂

    Reply
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Marisa Moore in a yellow top in a white kitchen

MARISA MOORE

Hi! I'm Marisa, a registered dietitian nutritionist living in Atlanta, GA. I use this blog to share (mostly) vegetarian recipes, credible nutrition information and a peek into my Southern roots and travels!

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