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creamy harissa chickpeas with caramalized onion served with lemon, bread and veggies
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Harissa Chickpeas

Creamy harissa chickpeas with caramelized onions and coconut milk. This is a vegan, ready in 30 minutes, meal-prep and freezer-friendly recipe.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: African-Inspired
Diet: Vegan
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 331kcal
Author: Sujatha Muralidhar

Ingredients

  • 15 oz chickpeas cooked, drained, and rinsed(2 cans)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1½ teaspoons harissa seasoning adjust to taste
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes (canned/fresh)
  • ½ cup coconut milk
  • Salt to taste
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper adjust to taste
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ cup spinach (or kale)

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes or until soft and lightly caramelized. Don’t rush this step; this is where flavor starts.
  • Stir in garlic, harissa seasoning, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Pour in crushed tomatoes. Stir and let it simmer for 5 minutes so it thickens slightly.
  • Stir in the chickpeas, coconut milk, lemon juice, salt, ground black pepper, and spinach. Stir gently, then cook on low heat for 5 minutes so they soak up the flavor.
  • Enjoy with naan bread or rice.

Notes

  • You can use canned or home-cooked chickpeas, swap coconut milk for heavy cream for a richer version, and use either harissa seasoning or paste, depending on what you have.
  • Adjust the heat easily: use less harissa for a milder dish, or add red pepper flakes, cayenne, or fresh chilies for extra spice.
  • For the best flavor, cook the onions until lightly caramelized: this builds the rich base of the dish.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months; great for meal prep in individual portions.
  • Reheat gently on the stove or microwave, add a splash of water if needed, and finish with lemon juice or fresh herbs to refresh the flavors.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 121mg | Potassium: 643mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 652IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 5mg
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