36 Easy Recipes to Make with a Can of Chickpeas

updated May 23, 2024
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Credit: Joe Lingeman

Chickpeas are one of those pantry staples that I almost always have on hand. If you don’t have a can of chickpeas or two lurking in a cabinet somewhere, add it to your grocery list immediately. Not only are they a great plant-based source of protein, there are also endless ways to turn them into a satisfying meal or snack any time of day. If you’re looking for easy chickpea recipes, we’ve got you covered.

Want to add more protein to your breakfast routine, but prefer to skip the eggs? Chickpeas have your back, and we especially love them packed into a breakfast sandwich. When it comes to lunch and dinner, chickpeas can do it all. Bulk up a green salad or soup; turn them into sandwiches; shape them into patties and nuggets; sauté them with veggies; stuff them into potatoes; and so much more. Don’t forget that chickpeas also make a fun snack, beyond a batch of creamy hummus. You can roast them, plus there are so many ways to flavor roasted chickpeas for some variety.

Still wondering what to make with a can of chickpeas? We’ve got 36 easy chickpea recipes for lots of delicious inspiration.

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Mediterranean-Style Chopped Salad with Oregano Vinaigrette

This vegetarian chopped salad — packed with farro, chickpeas, and plenty of fresh veggies— gets even better as it sits.

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One-Pot Tomato Chickpeas and Orzo

This recipe for quick and easy tomato orzo studded with chickpeas, which is made in just one pot, is total comfort food.

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Chickpea Salad

Combine chickpeas with a colorful mix of vegetables and tangy vinaigrette for a simple and satisfying salad that’s also naturally vegan.

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One-Skillet Chicken Thighs with Curried Cabbage and Chickpeas

Golden brown chicken thighs, leeks, cabbage, and chickpeas are simmered with curry powder and coconut milk all in one skillet.

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Autumn Sheet Pan Salad with Chickpeas and Butternut Squash

Roast butternut squash, chickpeas, and croutons, then build a delicious, filling fall salad — directly on top!

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Moroccan-Spiced Chickpea Bowls

These saucy, spiced chickpea bowls with kale, avocado, and a runny-yolked egg are all the proof you need that comfort food can also be healthy. The chickpeas are braised in a tomato sauce spiced with a medley of cumin, paprika, and cinnamon, and accented with harissa.

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Weeknight Salmon with Smoky Spinach and Chickpeas

Crispy-skinned salmon sits on top of a bed of saucy spinach and chickpeas in this fast and easy skillet dinner.

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Vegetarian Italian Chopped Salad

This make-ahead friendly salad is packed with crunchy veggies and tossed in a garlicky oregano vinaigrette. Eat as-is or serve alongside pizza.

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Sheet Pan Salad With Crispy Chickpeas and Feta

Roast sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and croutons, then build a flavorful, satisfying salad — directly on top!

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Sweet Potato Curry

A quick Thai red curry filled with sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and baby spinach that's made creamy with coconut milk.

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Marinated Chickpea and Feta Salad with Spring Veggies

This star of this crunchy, veggie-packed salad is a tangy Greek-inspired dressing, which doubles as a marinade for the feta and chickpeas.

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Mediterranean Hummus Bowl

An easy recipe for a vegetarian hummus bowl topped with roasted eggplant, chickpeas, and tabbouleh.

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Cheesy Chickpea Melts

A stewy mixture of tomato-y chickpeas and greens are piled onto garlicky toast, then topped with cheese and broiled until browned and bubbly. These toasts are the incredibly easy, immensely satisfying, protein-packed vegetarian dinner you need.

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Cauliflower Rice Lunch Bowl with Sweet Potatoes and Chickpeas

This vegetarian cauliflower rice bowl is packed with all our favorite healthy foods, including cauliflower rice, sweet potatoes, and creamy avocado.

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Creamy Rigatoni with Crispy Chickpeas, Spinach, and Lemony Panko

A combination of heavy cream and chicken broth creates a delicious foundation for spicy chili crisp, resulting in a layered, savory sauce — without being overly spicy.

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Vegan Slow-Cooker Chickpea Tikka Masala

Tikka masala is one of the most beloved Indian takeout dishes, but the dish as we know it now actually originated in the U.K., with many restaurants laying claim to it. We wanted to come up with a slow-cooker vegan version of this classic.

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Vegetarian Mushroom Stew

A hearty mix of mushrooms, nutty chickpeas, and greens in a thick and creamy coconut and tomato broth.

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Harissa Olive Oil-Braised Chickpeas and Fennel

This simple recipe transforms a couple of cans of chickpeas into a warm, saucy, and flavor-packed dinner. Serve over couscous, brown rice, farro, or creamy polenta.

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Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowls with Crispy Chickpeas and Chopped Pesto

This satisfying plant-based quinoa bowl is packed with roasted sweet potato, kale, and crispy chickpeas.

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Moroccan Chickpea and Squash Stew

A hearty, nourishing stew with butternut squash, dried apricots, and fragrant saffron.

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Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Chickpeas, Feta, and Herbs

A recipe for a hearty main course cauliflower salad from Central Provisions in Portland, Maine.

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Honey Harissa Chicken and Chickpeas

Honey and spicy harissa flavor this one-dish meal of saucy chickpeas and golden-brown chicken.

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Israeli Couscous Salad with Feta, Chickpeas, and Herbs

A vegetarian recipe for Israeli couscous salad filled with chickpeas, tomatoes, herbs, and feta cheese.

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Spice-Roasted Salmon with Lemon and Chickpeas

This easy sheet pan dinner is packed with bold flavors, thanks to caramelized lemon and onions and an assertive spice blend.

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Slow Cooker Chickpeas with Vegetables (Pahari Dal)

A flavor-packed Indian dish filled with chickpeas, cauliflower, daikon, and potatoes.

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Buffalo Chickpea Zucchini Boats

Buffalo chickpeas are tangy, spicy, and buttery all at once — a perfect contrast to the sweet, mild zucchini. Plus, it's a good excuse to drizzle dinner with creamy ranch.

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Feta and Tomato Braised Chickpeas

Tender chickpeas swimming in an oregano- and garlic-spiked tomato sauce and topped with plenty of melty feta cheese. Make enough for lunch too!

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Grilled Caesar Salad with Crispy Chickpeas

This grilled Caesar ditches the regular croutons for crispy chickpeas.

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Toasted Grain Soup with Crispy Mushrooms and Kale

This vegetarian soup is supremely satisfying, thanks to a winning combination of veggies, herbs, beans, and grains.

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Grilled Merguez Sausages and Veggies with Crispy Chickpeas

A mixed grill is a fun way to kick off grilling season, and its customizable nature makes it perfect for guests. This platter consists of grilled mixed vegetables, merguez sausage, halloumi cheese, and crispy chickpeas.

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Grain Salad with Use-It-All-Up Pesto

This hearty, satisfying main-course salad can be made with rice or whatever grain you have in the pantry: farro, millet, quinoa, etc. Orzo or couscous are also great options.

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Lemon, Chickpea and Green Herb Stew

A lemony-bright aromatic chickpea stew with whole lemons, turmeric and fresh cilantro.

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Fried Chickpeas and Scrambled Eggs with Garlicky Greens and Spicy Yogurt

A super speedy meatless dish featuring chickpeas fried with cracked coriander, cumin, and slivers of garlic until golden and crisp, plus soft scrambled eggs with wilted greens and scallions.

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Chole

With a base of caramelized onions, spices, and a touch of tomato paste, chole is a transformative way of using up a can of chickpeas.

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Sweet Potatoes with Chickpea Tomato Sauce

Sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and tomato sauce might seem like an unlikely trio of ingredients, but that's only until you try them together in this easy vegetarian dinner.

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Ash Reshteh

A classic Persian dish made with noodles, beans, and greens — is comfort in a bowl.

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