Description
As a passionate home cook, I find joy in creating dishes that not only taste amazing but also bring a splash of color to my table. One of my all-time favorites is Mediterranean Chickpea Lemon Rice. This dish is like a sunny day on a plate, bursting with vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients. Every time I make it, I’m reminded of the warm Mediterranean sun and the lively markets filled with fresh produce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup jasmine rice, rinsed
- 1½ cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz grape tomatoes, halved
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp salt
- 5 oz fresh spinach, chopped
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 15 oz canned chickpeas, drained
- 6 oz feta cheese, diced (optional)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (optional)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (optional)
- ½ tsp dried oregano (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse and soak the chickpeas if using dried ones; otherwise, rinse canned chickpeas.
- In a saucepan, combine the rinsed rice and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for about 20 minutes.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add half of the halved tomatoes, minced garlic, dried oregano, and salt. Sauté for about 2 minutes.
- Add chopped spinach to the skillet and cook until it wilts. Stir in the cooked rice and drained chickpeas, mixing in the remaining fresh tomatoes.
- Drizzle in fresh lemon juice and mix well. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
- For perfectly fluffy rice, avoid stirring it too much while it cooks.
- Using homemade broth can enhance the flavor significantly.
- Always opt for fresh spinach and tomatoes when possible.
- If you can’t find feta, try using goat cheese or a dairy-free alternative.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 5mg