Go Back
+ servings
A vibrant bowl filled with quinoa, spicy chickpeas in red sauce, fresh greens, and drizzled with tahini sauce, making up a Spicy Chickpea Bowls meal.

Spicy Chickpea Bowls

This recipe creates a flavorful and satisfying meal using simple pantry staples. It is a quick, plant-based option perfect for busy weeknights. Every bowl offers a good mix of textures and tastes, making healthy eating straightforward.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 bowls
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Calories: 426

Ingredients
  

For the Quinoa and Chickpea Mixture
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 2 cups vegetable broth, or water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 15 oz cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or more for extra heat
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
For the Lemony Tahini Dressing
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt + cracked black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons water or more for consistency

Equipment

  • Small saucepan
  • Large skillet
  • Blender or whisk

Method
 

  1. Rinse the quinoa and soak it for about 10 minutes in warm water. Bring 2 cups of vegetable broth to a boil in a small saucepan. Drain the quinoa and add it to the boiling broth. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the quinoa sit for 5 minutes, then fluff it with a fork and set it aside.
  2. Drizzle olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until they smell fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the chickpeas, tomatoes, and the remaining chickpea mixture ingredients (excluding the cilantro). Stir to combine everything. Cover the pan and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring sometimes.
  3. To make the dressing, combine all dressing ingredients in a blender, or whisk them together by hand, until the mixture is smooth. Add more water one tablespoon at a time until you reach the consistency you want.
  4. Assemble the bowls by spooning about 1/2 cup of quinoa into each bowl. Add a heaping 1/2 cup of the chickpea mixture. Drizzle with the tahini sauce. You can add leafy greens, cucumbers, extra cilantro, and lemon slices if you wish.

Nutrition

Calories: 426kcalCarbohydrates: 67.8gProtein: 14.9gFat: 11.3gSaturated Fat: 1.3gSodium: 864mgFiber: 12.8gSugar: 6.5g

Notes

This meal works well for meal prep. Store the quinoa, chickpea mixture, and dressing separately. When you are ready to eat, combine the components and add fresh toppings. This simple preparation method shows you can create satisfying meals even on busy days.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!