25+ Best Chickpea Recipes (Nutritious & Versatile)
Eat more chickpeas! Here we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite chickpea recipes from breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you can just scroll and find your match!
WHY WE LOVE CHICKPEAS!
Hello, chickpea lovers! Today we’re going to dive into the wonderful world of chickpeas, one of my favorite versatile and nutritious ingredients.
These humble little legumes have been gracing our plates for centuries, and it’s no wonder why – they’re tasty, packed with protein, and can be used in so many different ways.
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a staple in many cuisines around the world. From Mediterranean hummus to Indian chana masala, there’s no denying the global appeal of these delightful beans.
What I love most about chickpeas is their ability to adapt to various flavors and textures, making them an ideal addition to a wide range of dishes.
In this recipe roundup, I’ll share with you some of my personal favorite chickpea recipes. We’ll explore appetizers, salads, and main courses, all featuring the mighty chickpea.
These recipes are not only delicious and satisfying but also perfect for those looking to incorporate more plant-based options into their meals.
So, let’s grab a can or two of chickpeas and embark on this culinary adventure together!
🌟 25+ BEST CHICKPEA RECIPES
Unleash the power of chickpeas with our incredible roundup of delicious and wholesome recipes! Each recipe includes full nutrition information in the recipe card, and most include tips and substitution ideas!
CRANBERRY WALNUT VEGAN ‘CHICKEN’ SALAD
The chickpea strikes again, making for another great salad that will knock your socks off! This vegan ‘chicken’ salad is delicious as a sandwich filler, topped on a bed of leafy greens, or made into lettuce wraps. Any way you serve this healthy salad is delicious!
HERBED POTATO, ASPARAGUS & CHICKPEA SHEET PAN DINNER
One pan, a few fresh ingredients, and spices oven roasted together, creating a healthy meal the whole family will love! This is a 5-star fan favorite for a reason!
LEMON QUINOA & CHICKPEA SALAD
Quinoa, chickpeas and diced carrots, bell peppers, cucumber, scallions, parsley, and a big squeeze of lemon make this a light, well-balanced, healthy side or main dish!
MEDITERRANEAN SMASHED CHICKPEA SALAD
Smashed chickpea salad is a flavorful mix of Mediterranean flavors, including chickpeas, red bell pepper, artichokes, and kalamata olives with a simple hummus dressing. Great sandwich and lettuce wrap filler that’s ready in minutes!
QUICK N’ HEALTHY VEGETABLE PASTA SALAD
This veggie-filled healthy pasta salad with zesty garlic-lemon dressing is the best! Chickpeas are added for extra protein because they are just so good! This salad will feed a crowd and can be made in advance.
BUFFALO CHICKPEA TACOS (QUICK + EASY)
Buffalo Chickpea Tacos are a quick, easy, no-fuss meal that’s delicious and ready in 20 minutes! Vegan, gluten-free, and WFPB recipe.
MOROCCAN PUMPKIN & CHICKPEA STEW
Hearty and delicious, pair this Moroccan Pumpkin and Chickpeas Stew with any grain of choice. I used a sugar pumpkin, but any winter squash will do.
BAKED FALAFEL SALAD
Falafels are incredibly easy to make! There is no need to fry falafels in tons of oil as they bake up perfectly in the oven. Add them to a fresh salad with a creamy tahini-dill dressing, and you’re in for a delicious meal!
MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD
Mediterranean Orzo Salad is a flavorful greek inspired orzo salad with chickpeas, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, red bell peppers, tomatoes, dill, parsley, and plenty of lemony flavor and nutty pine nuts.
VEGAN CAESAR SALAD
This vegan Caesar salad with garlicky chickpea croutons is so easy to make and absolutely the BEST! Recipe is dairy-free, egg-free, and perfect for lunch, dinner, or make-ahead meals.
CHICKPEA & SWEET POTATO BREAKFAST HASH
Healthy and nutritious, this sheet pan sweet potato breakfast hash with chickpeas is a great way to start the day! Plant-based, low-fat, and ready in 40 minutes.
FAVORITE HOMEMADE HUMMUS
An authentic style hummus recipe, perfect for dipping and spreading! Can be made with or without tahini and is ready in about 5 minutes!
CAESAR PASTA SALAD (VEGAN + WFPB)
Caesar Pasta Salad is a delicious quick, and easy salad perfect as an everyday side salad or main entree! It can be made ahead and stores well. Vegan, oil-free, WFPB recipe.
CRISPY ROASTED CHICKPEAS
Packed with protein and fiber, oven-roasted chickpeas make a great snack or crispy addition to salads, soups, and meal bowls.
‘CHICKPEA OF THE SEA’ TUNA SALAD SANDWICH
This is a great mock ‘tuna’ salad sandwich using chickpeas. Alternately, serve this as lettuce wraps or use sliced vegetables like bell pepper and cucumber as scoopers.
HEARTY CHICKPEA NOODLE SOUP (EASY + 1 POT)
Healthy and hearty, this chickpea noodle soup is made in one pot, ready in 30 minutes, and delicious!
BALELA SALAD RECIPE
A flavorful and nutritious Mediterranean chickpea & black bean salad is versatile and easy to make! Pairs perfectly with pita bread, arugula, and hummus.
LEMON CHICKPEA ORZO SOUP (VEGAN AVGOLEMONO)
This Greek-inspired lemon orzo soup recipe (aka vegan avgolemono) with chickpeas and dill is super easy to make and will be ready in 30 minutes!
CHICKPEA TIKKA MASALA
Dinner is on with this flavorful Indian-inspired Chickpea Tikka Masala recipe! It’s lusciously creamy and easy to make right at home in one pan with simple ingredients!
EASY CHANA MASALA
Full of flavor, this 30-minute Chana Masala recipe is quick, easy, and great served over basmati, jasmine or brown rice, or quinoa.
MINI CHICKPEA FLOUR FRITTATAS (VEGAN)
Veggie-filled and super easy to make, these chickpea flour frittatas are great any time of day. We love them for meal prep too!
ROASTED CAULIFLOWER + CHICKPEAS + MUSTARD DRESSING
Roasted cauliflower with Dijon mustard dressing is an unexpected sensational combination of ingredients, this well-rounded recipe is a must-try!
CURRY RED LENTIL STEW WITH KALE & CHICKPEAS
A flavorful Indian spiced curry red lentil stew with chickpeas and kale. Serve with rice or quinoa for a healthy lunch or dinner.
SAVORY CHICKPEA PANCAKE – FLATBREAD (GF)
Gluten-free, healthy, and filling, this delicious savory chickpea flour pancake is perfect any time of day. Filled with veggies of choice, all you need is one!
CHICKPEA, POTATO & PARSLEY BOWL
A sheet pan dinner to make your life easy! Paired with fresh parsley and a creamy lemon-tahini dressing, it’s healthy and delicious.
CHICKPEA RATATOUILLE
Ratatouille, a rustic farm-to-table style dish, is made even heartier with the addition of chickpeas. It’s a late summer or early fall recipe for those who appreciate big flavor and simplicity while using the season’s harvest.
🤝 PRO TIPS FOR USING BELOVED + VERSATILE CHICKPEAS
Here are a few tips and hacks for working with chickpeas. These versatile, protein-packed legumes are a staple in my kitchen, and I just can’t wait to share my secrets with you. So let’s get started, shall we?
Soak ’em up: If you’re using dried chickpeas, give them a good soak for at least 8 hours, or overnight. This will help them cook more evenly and reduce their cooking time. You can also add a pinch of baking soda to the soaking water to help soften them even more.
Cook until tender: When cooking chickpeas from scratch, be patient and make sure they’re tender before removing them from the heat. You want them to be creamy on the inside with no grittiness. This is especially important if you plan to use them in a hummus or a salad.
Save the liquid: Don’t toss out the liquid from your can of chickpeas! Known as aquafaba, it’s a fantastic egg white substitute in recipes like meringues or even as a vegan mayo base. Just whip it up until it’s nice and frothy.
Perfect for pasta: Chickpeas are a fantastic addition to pasta dishes, providing extra protein and a delightful texture. Toss them with some garlic, olive oil, and veggies for a simple, satisfying meal.
Batch cooking: Cook a big batch of chickpeas and freeze them in individual portions. This way, you’ll always have some on hand for a quick meal. Simply defrost in the fridge or microwave before using.
Chickpea flour: Also known as gram flour or besan, chickpea flour is a versatile gluten-free option for baking or cooking. Use it in savory dishes like socca (a Mediterranean chickpea pancake) or as a base for gluten-free baked goods.
I hope these chickpea tips and hacks inspire you to get creative in the kitchen and discover just how amazing these little legumes can be. Happy cooking, and don’t forget to have fun with it!
MORE INGREDIENT INSPIRATION!
- 40+ Best Quinoa Recipes (Healthy + Easy)
- 20+ Banana Recipes (Irresistible + Creative)
- 30 Vegan Dinner Recipes (Satisfying + Flavorful)
- 15+ Vegan Soup Recipes (To Warm Your Heart + Soul)
- See all recipe roundups on TSV!
For more recipes using specific ingredients, be sure to check out the ingredient index page for more delicious recipes!