Spicy Chickpea Stew (Printable)

Hearty chickpeas simmered with aromatic spices, vegetables, and tomatoes for a warming, plant-based meal perfect for cold days.

# Ingredient List:

→ Legumes

01 - 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 carrots, diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
07 - 2 cups vegetable broth
08 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
14 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
15 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
16 - 1 bay leaf
17 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Finishing Touches

18 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook 4-5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic, carrots, and bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes.
03 - Add cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, turmeric, chili flakes, and cinnamon. Cook stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in tomato paste, then add diced tomatoes, chickpeas, vegetable broth, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
05 - Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Remove lid, season with salt and pepper, and simmer uncovered for 5 additional minutes to thicken.
07 - Discard bay leaf. Stir in lemon juice and fresh herbs. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Serve hot with crusty bread or over rice if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like you've been stirring a pot all afternoon.
  • The spice blend is warm and slightly sharp without being aggressive, so it actually gets better with leftovers.
  • One pot, no fussy steps, and it's naturally vegan if that matters to you.
02 -
  • Don't rush the onions—that's where you build flavor foundation, and skipping those few minutes changes everything.
  • The spices need heat to bloom; if you add them to cold oil or cold food, they stay flat and one-dimensional.
03 -
  • If your stew seems too thin after simmering, leave the lid off and let it bubble gently for another 5 to 10 minutes until it reaches the consistency you want.
  • A squeeze of lemon at the very end isn't optional—it's the moment all the spices suddenly come into focus and taste more like themselves.
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