Easy Spicy Chickpea Stir-Fry That Will Ignite Your Taste Buds Recipe
This Easy Spicy Chickpea Stir-Fry is a vibrant and flavorful dish packed with protein-rich chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and a blend of aromatic spices. Perfect for a quick and healthy meal that ignites your taste buds with a subtle kick of heat and a burst of freshness from cilantro and lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 can canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed, about 15 oz)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 inch fresh ginger (grated)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 1 zucchini (sliced)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Spices & Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- Salt to taste (about 0.5 teaspoon)
Finishing Touches
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
Instructions
- Heat Olive Oil: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, approximately 1 minute to prepare the pan for sautéing.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and cook for 1–2 minutes until they become fragrant and start to turn golden, releasing their flavors into the oil.
- Add Spices: Sprinkle in the ground cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, and cayenne pepper, stirring continuously for 30 seconds to toast the spices and enhance their aroma.
- Cook Chickpeas: Stir in the drained chickpeas and season with salt. Cook for about 5 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the chickpeas are lightly golden and well-coated with the spices.
- Add Vegetables: Toss in the diced red bell pepper and sliced zucchini, sautéing for 4–5 minutes until they become tender-crisp but still retain a slight bite.
- Wilt Spinach & Finish: Stir in the fresh spinach and lemon juice, cooking for an additional 1–2 minutes until the spinach wilts down. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Notes
- Adjust the cayenne pepper amount based on your preferred spice level.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice, quinoa, or warm flatbreads.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor, but bottled lemon juice can be substituted if needed.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For extra protein, consider adding crumbled tofu or cooked chicken if not vegetarian.
Keywords: spicy chickpea stir-fry, easy chickpea recipe, vegetarian stir-fry, healthy chickpeas, quick dinner, Mediterranean vegetarian dish
