Easy Vegetarian Spinach Chickpea Rice Recipe for Bold Flavor Fans Recipe
This Easy Vegetarian Spinach Chickpea Rice recipe is a flavorful, hearty one-pan meal perfect for bold flavor fans. Combining fragrant basmati rice, protein-rich chickpeas, and fresh spinach with a warm spice blend, it delivers a balanced and vibrant dish that’s quick to prepare and packed with nutrients. Ideal for a wholesome lunch or dinner, this recipe highlights simple ingredients that come together beautifully in a large skillet for a tasty and colorful meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Rice and Chickpeas
- 1 cup Basmati rice (use fragrant basmati for fluffy, separate grains)
- 2 cups Vegetable broth (for added flavor)
- 1 can Cooked chickpeas (canned or homemade, they add hearty protein)
For the Greens and Flavor
- 3 cups Fresh spinach (stir in at the end for vibrant color)
- 1 medium Onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
For the Spice Mix
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika (smoked for complexity or sweet for mellow heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon Red chili flakes (sprinkle lightly)
Extras and Garnishes
- 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice (adds refreshing tang)
- 1/4 cup Chopped cilantro (for garnish)
- 1/4 cup Toasted nuts (optional, almonds or cashews)
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, stirring until they become fragrant and translucent, around 3–4 minutes.
- Add the spices: Sprinkle in the ground cumin, turmeric powder, paprika, and red chili flakes. Cook for 1 minute, allowing the spices to bloom and coat the onions evenly.
- Cook the rice: Stir the basmati rice into the spiced onion mixture, ensuring each grain is well coated. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low, cooking for 15 minutes.
- Incorporate chickpeas: Gently fold the cooked chickpeas into the rice. Re-cover the skillet and cook for another 5 minutes until the rice is tender and the chickpeas are warmed through.
- Add spinach: Uncover the skillet and scatter fresh spinach over the rice and chickpeas. Stir gently until the spinach wilts and turns bright green, approximately 2 minutes.
- Finish and serve: Remove from heat and fluff the rice mixture with a fork. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a warm serving dish and garnish with chopped cilantro and toasted nuts for extra flavor and crunch.
Notes
- Optional: Add a dollop of yogurt for a creamy tang.
- Always rinse basmati rice before cooking to remove excess starch and achieve fluffier grains.
- For extra heat, increase red chili flakes according to your taste preference.
- Use vegetable broth with low sodium to control the salt content better.
Keywords: spinach chickpea rice, vegetarian rice recipe, easy rice dish, healthy vegetarian meal, spiced rice with chickpeas, one-pan rice recipe
