Spiced Chickpea Rice

This comforting one-pot dish features fluffy basmati rice infused with warm aromatic spices and tender chickpeas. It is a hearty, fragrant vegetarian main course that pairs beautifully with a dollop of cool yogurt.

Spiced Chickpea Rice
  • Prep time: 8 minutes
  • Cook time: 32 minutes
  • Total time: 40 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: International

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups basmati rice, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2.75 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent.
  3. Stir in the garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cayenne pepper, cooking for 1 minute until highly fragrant.
  4. Add the rinsed chickpeas and the drained basmati rice to the pot, stirring to coat them thoroughly with the spiced oil.
  5. Pour in the vegetable broth and salt, stirring once to combine, and bring the mixture to a boil.
  6. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer undisturbed for 15 minutes.
  7. Remove the pot from the heat and let it stand, covered, for 10 minutes to allow the steam to finish cooking the rice.
  8. Fluff the rice gently with a fork, stir in the fresh cilantro, and serve hot with lemon wedges.

Tips

  • Rinse the basmati rice multiple times under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess surface starch.
  • Do not lift the lid during the simmering or resting phases, as this releases the steam necessary for fluffy rice.
  • For extra depth of flavor, toast a cinnamon stick and a couple of cardamom pods in the oil before adding the onions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use brown rice instead of basmati rice?

Yes, but you will need to increase the vegetable broth to 3.25 cups and increase the simmering time to 40-45 minutes.

How long will leftovers keep in the refrigerator?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheated with a splash of water.

Is this dish spicy?

It is warm and spiced but not overly hot. You can omit the cayenne pepper entirely if you prefer a very mild dish.