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Lemony Spiced Orzo Chickpeas 62.png

Lemony Spiced Orzo Chickpeas

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πŸ‹ This Lemony Spiced Orzo with Chickpeas offers a vibrant and wholesome meal packed with bright citrus and warm spices.
🍲 It combines protein-rich chickpeas and fresh greens for a balanced, flavorful dish that’s easy to prepare.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

– 1 tablespoon olive oil

– 1 small white onion diced

– 4 minced garlic cloves

– 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

– 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

– 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

– 3 1/2 cups vegetable broth

– 15 ounces canned chickpeas rinsed and drained

– 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta

– zest and juice of 1 small lemon

– 2 large handfuls fresh baby spinach

– fine sea salt to taste

– freshly ground black pepper to taste

– optional chopped fresh cilantro for topping

Instructions

1-Gather all ingredients and rinse the canned chickpeas. Prepare the lemon by zesting and juicing it to capture its fresh flavor.

2-Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set it aside for later use.

3-Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced white onion and minced garlic cloves; sautΓ© for 2-3 minutes until they soften and become fragrant.

4-Stir in the ground turmeric, ground cumin, and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for another minute to release their aromas. Then, add the rinsed chickpeas and the vegetable broth to the skillet.

5-Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the chickpeas to absorb the spices. Add the cooked orzo, lemon zest, lemon juice, and fresh baby spinach, stirring everything together until the spinach wilts.

6-Season with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If you like, top with chopped fresh cilantro for an extra pop of flavor.

7-For dietary tweaks, use gluten-free pasta or plant-based oils as needed. This step makes the dish versatile for busy parents or diet-conscious individuals.

Last Step:

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Notes

🌿 Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the brightest citrus flavor.
⏲ Stir occasionally while cooking orzo to prevent sticking.
🌢 Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: SautΓ©ing, simmering
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean
  • Diet: Vegetarian, Vegan

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 480mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 52g
  • Fiber: 8g
  • Protein: 12g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg