Pop open a can of chickpeas and transform it into a wholesome, satisfying dinner! These recipes make the most of this versatile pantry staple by pairing it with fresh produce, hearty grains and bold flavors for easy, nutritious meals. From our Chickpea Casserole with Spinach & Feta to our Chickpea Grain Bowl with Feta & Tomatoes, these dishes are filling, flavorful, and a simple way to turn humble chickpeas into something special.
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Chickpea Casserole with Spinach & Feta
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
This cozy casserole combines tender spinach, chickpeas and brown rice with a touch of cream cheese and tangy feta. Fresh dill, nutmeg and lemon juice brighten the flavors, while a hint of red pepper adds gentle heat. Baked until bubbling and topped with lemon zest, it’s a comforting and vibrant dish.
Creamy Chickpea Soup
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Huff, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.
This creamy chickpea soup comes together in just 20 minutes. Cream cheese adds a velvety texture that feels cozy and comforting. Garnished with cilantro and crunchy tortilla strips, it’s a one-pot meal that’s weeknight-friendly and crowd-pleasing.
High-Fiber Chopped Salad with Italian Vinaigrette
Ali Redmond
This chopped salad is a crisp, colorful mix of veggies. It’s tossed with a zesty homemade vinaigrette while chickpeas bring on the plant-based protein and fiber. Everything is chopped small for the perfect forkful every time.
Chickpea Grain Bowl with Feta & Tomatoes
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali.
This grain bowl is a hearty dish that’s packed with plant-based protein, fiber and tons of fresh flavor. Farro, a whole grain with a nutty taste and chewy texture, forms the base and pairs perfectly with tender chickpeas and veggies.
High-Protein Caprese Chickpea Salad
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This caprese chickpea salad is a plant-based twist on the classic Italian favorite. It combines creamy mozzarella pearls, juicy cherry tomatoes and fragrant fresh basil with hearty chickpeas for a satisfying dish. A simple balsamic vinaigrette ties everything together with a tangy-sweet finish.
Roasted Veggies with Halloumi & Chickpeas
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This sheet-pan recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner with easy cleanup. Chickpeas and halloumi provide protein to make this dish filling and satisfying. Roasting everything on the same sheet pan creates crispy, caramelized bites that meld beautifully with the creamy yogurt spread underneath.
Herb-Marinated Veggie & Chickpea Salad
Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.
This salad is a refreshing, no-cook dish packed with fresh flavors. It brings together crisp raw vegetables and fiber-rich chickpeas, all tossed in a zesty herb dressing that infuses every bite. It’s perfect for warm days, meal prep or busy weeknights when you want something quick.
Loaded Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
These loaded sweet potatoes are a hearty dinner that combines the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes with the satisfying crunch of crispy chickpeas. The chickpeas, cooked on the stovetop and seasoned to perfection, add a boost of fiber and plant-based protein.
High-Protein Pasta Salad
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Crunchy cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers and red onions are all mixed together in a heart-healthy vinaigrette for a dish that is as delicious as it is eye-catching. Chickpea pasta, whole chickpeas and fresh mozzarella pearls add to the dish’s protein.
Za’atar-Roasted Chicken with Chickpeas
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey
This roasted chicken is bursting with vibrant flavors. Za’atar—a fragrant blend of dried oregano, thyme and/or marjoram, sumac and toasted sesame seeds—mingles with lemon and garlic, infusing chicken thighs and chickpeas with tangy, earthy and savory notes.
Marry Me Chickpea Soup with Kale
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This creamy soup was inspired by Marry Me Chicken, a dish that features chicken and sun-dried tomatoes. We gave this dish a plant-based spin by swapping out the chicken for chickpeas and kale to create a cozy, warming meal perfect for cooler weather.
Turmeric Chicken & Avocado Wraps
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
These chicken salad wraps are packed with ingredients that help reduce inflammation. Turmeric, with its bright golden hue, is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, while chickpeas add fiber and plant-based protein.
Roasted Vegetable Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This roasted vegetable soup uses a diverse and delicious array of vegetables, supporting gut health with prebiotic ingredients like sweet potato, leeks and chickpeas.
Chickpea & Sweet Potato Grain Bowls
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This nutrient-dense bowl is rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants. Sorghum is a gluten-free ancient grain that pairs well with the deliciously tangy yogurt-based drizzle.
Skillet Curry Chickpea Potpie
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower
Treat yourself to this chickpea potpie, packed with veggies and plant-based protein enveloped in a fragrant blend of spices and a creamy coconut milk-based sauce.
Buffalo Cauliflower Grain Bowl
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This grain bowl is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional Buffalo wings, packing plenty of gut-healthy fiber and plant-based protein. It features a variety of fresh and colorful vegetables on a bed of precooked brown rice to keep prep speedy. Feel free to swap out the rice for another whole grain.
Chickpeas alla Vodka
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser
Chickpeas are swimming in a creamy vodka sauce, along with sautéed garlic, onion and vibrant green baby kale. Crispy, toasted whole-wheat bread is perfect for dipping.
Harira (Moroccan Tomato, Lentil & Beef Soup)
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco
Harira is a tomato-based soup featured at the center of many Moroccan tables during the month of Ramadan. This version features chickpeas, lentils, beef and noodles in a fragrant tomato broth.
Chickpea, Beet & Feta Salad with Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Addelyn Evans
This salad is a vibrant blend of flavors and textures, marrying the earthy sweetness of beets with the creamy richness of feta cheese, all tied together with a zesty lemon-garlic dressing. If you have the time, you can roast or steam your own beets or, to keep prep fast and simple, opt for precooked beets found in the produce section of well-stocked grocery stores.
Roasted Chickpea & Cauliflower Pitas with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Nicole Hopper, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
These pitas are piled high with roasted veggies for a satisfying vegetarian dinner. Bibb lettuce works well with these pitas, but a handful of arugula leaves would be just as nice.
Baked Feta & Tomato Chickpeas
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
This simple casserole turns cherry tomatoes, feta cheese and chickpeas into a hearty, protein-rich vegetarian meal. After baking, it creates a savory-sweet tomato–olive oil sauce ideal for slathering on pita bread.
Cucumber Chickpea Salad with Feta & Lemon
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food Stylist: Annie Probst
This cucumber chickpea salad with feta and lemon is tangy and refreshing. You can enjoy it on its own or toss it with greens for an easy lunch or dinner. We love the grassy flavor of dill, but another fresh herb like oregano, parsley or chives will work well in its place.
Slow-Cooker Cauliflower & Chickpea Tikka Masala
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
This slow-cooker tikka masala is an ideal set-and-forget option for anyone craving veggies and warm, cozy spices. A combination of garam masala, curry powder and cumin adds to the complex flavor.
4-Bean Salad with Herbed Tahini Dressing
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Annie Probst
This vibrant twist on the classic salad uses fresh green beans and nutty, earthy tahini plus a ton of herbs that you can use based on your preference. Tahini can get bitter, but we balance that with a bit of honey. We liked the combination of parsley, tarragon and dill for the herbs.
Marry Me Chickpeas
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle, Food Stylist: Renu Dhar
We put a vegetarian spin on Marry Me Chicken, a dish typically consisting of chicken coated in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce, by swapping in fiber-packed chickpeas as the main ingredient. From the creamy chickpeas to the umami-laden sun-dried tomatoes, you’ll want to sop up every last bit of sauce.
Crunchy Chickpea-Cabbage Salad
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This chickpea-cabbage salad features carrots and cucumbers, giving it a quartet of ingredients that all begin with the letter “C”! This chopped salad is loaded with fiber and prebiotic chickpeas, promoting a healthy gut. Green cabbage keeps the color vibrant and fresh, though red cabbage works just as well.
