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One-Pot Turmeric Chickpea and Spinach Rice

Golden turmeric rice cooked with chickpeas and fresh spinach in one pot for an easy, flavorful vegetarian dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups basmati rice rinsed
  • 3 cups vegetable broth or water
  • 1 can chickpeas (15 oz) drained and rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
  • 1.5 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 0.5 lemon juiced
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro or parsley chopped
  • toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds optional, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot or deep skillet with lid
  • wooden spoon
  • Fork for fluffing

Method
 

  1. Heat the oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent.
  2. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, turmeric, cumin, and cinnamon to the pot. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until the mixture becomes very fragrant and the onion takes on a golden color.
  3. Add the rinsed rice to the pot and stir everything together for 1-2 minutes, coating every grain in the spiced oil mixture.
  4. Stir in the chickpeas and vegetable broth, then season with salt and pepper. Bring to a full boil over medium-high heat, then immediately reduce heat to low and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Simmer undisturbed for 15-18 minutes until all liquid is absorbed.
  5. Remove the pot from heat. Quickly lift the lid and pile all the fresh spinach on top of the cooked rice, then replace the lid immediately. Let sit for 5 minutes to wilt the spinach.
  6. Use a fork to gently fluff the rice, working the wilted spinach and chickpeas throughout. Squeeze the lemon juice over everything and stir in the fresh cilantro.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Serve warm, topped with toasted nuts if desired.

Notes

Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of broth or water to restore fluffiness. Freezes for up to 2 months. Substitutions: Use brown rice with 3.5 cups broth and 40-45 minute cook time. Replace 1 cup broth with coconut milk for a creamier version. Swap chickpeas for white beans or lentils. Make-Ahead: This dish tastes even better the next day after flavors meld. Perfect for meal prep throughout the week.