Healthy Moroccan Chickpea Stew

Updated: Dec 4th, 2023 · By Bethany Kramer
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This easy Moroccan chickpea stew is one of our favorite go-to dinners! It’s packed with flavor, warm Moroccan spices, and a rich tomato-y base. A super satisfying meatless dinner that everyone will love!

A white bowl on a white counter with a grey napkin with moroccan chickpea stew and rice.

Today we are going to talk about this delicious chickpea stew. It’s super hearty & satisfying, full of flavor, and is one of my go-to recipes for a quick & easy dinner! Drew and I have been making this dish for years and absolutely love it. 

As if this recipe couldn’t be easier, it’s all made in 1 pot, takes just 30 quick minutes, and is made with the simplest of ingredients. You’ll love this meatless meal for any season or occasion! 

Ingredients -Everything You’ll Need

This recipe requires simple ingredients with a few extra seasonings. Here’s everything you’ll need, including some ingredient substitutions if needed.

Onion: to add flavor to the base an onion is a must.
Garlic: to layer lots of flavor this recipe uses both fresh garlic and garlic powder! 
Chickpeas: for the star of the show this recipe uses pre-cooked canned chickpeas! Full of fiber and plant-protein.
Diced tomatoes: I love using fire-roasted tomatoes because of the added depth of flavor they bring. 
Tomato paste: to help thicken the stew!
Seasonings: to give the stew lots of flavor and warm spice use turmeric powder, paprika, cumin, and garam masala. 

How to make this Moroccan Stew – step by step

  1. 1

    Sauté those onions! First, sauté the chopped onions in olive oil for about 3-4 minutes or until soft and the edges are slightly browned.

  2. 2

    Add the chickpeas! Stir into the cooked onions – chickpeas, minced garlic, and all the seasonings and spices. Cook together for 1 minute.

step by step photos for making moroccan chickpea stew
  1. 3

    Add tomatoes and simmer! Add 2 cans of diced tomatoes & tomato paste, 1/2 cup of water. Let simmer for 30 minutes on low to medium heat, stirring occasionally.

  2. 4

    Season and serve! The finished product – the sauce should be reduced, thicker, and bold with flavor. Season with additional salt & black pepper if needed then serve with cilantro and rice!

Tips for Success

Switch of the beans – if you want to use another bean or legume, you can try cannellini beans, butter beans, or green lentils!

Fresh cilantro is a must! – to add fresh vibrant flavor at the end, you can’t miss out on using fresh cilantro. It adds the perfect pop of flavor with the warm spices and instantly elevates the dish!

What to serve it with – the best way to serve this chickpea stew is with some grains! We love brown, white, or wild rice, quinoa, or even farro. If you prefer not to serve it with a grain you can serve it alongside salad such as our artichoke salad or this greek cucumber and tomato salad.

Meal Prep This Recipe

We love using this recipe for weekly meal prep for either lunch or dinner! Serve this stew over rice or quinoa for extra protein and store in airtight glass containers for 3-5 days. Reheat as needed and serve with fresh cilantro! 

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Meal Prep This Recipe

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Moroccan chickpea stew in a glass storage bowl with rice.

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More Delicious Meatless Meals

a pan of moroccan chickpea stew with a wooden spoon in it.

Healthy Moroccan Chickpea Stew

4.86 from 21 votes
This easy moroccan chickpea stew is one of our favorite go-to dinners! It's packed with flavor, is hearty and filling, and super quick to make. Enjoy as a meatless weeknight meal or as a healthy meal prep recipe! 
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 14-ounce cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 14-ounce can chickpeas
  • 1/2 cup filtered water
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp each tumeric, paprika, and garam masala
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp salt (plus salt to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • cilantro

Instructions

  • Saute the onions: In a pot on medium heat, saute diced onion in olive oil for 3-4 minutes. Stir often, onions should be soft and edges should be slightly brown when done.
  • Add the chickpeas and spices: Add to the cooked onions – garlic, chickpeas, salt & pepper, spices, garlic powder, and cook for about a minute until fragrant. 
  • Add tomatoes and simmer: stir in diced tomatoes, filtered water, and tomato paste. Cover and let cook on a gentle simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Season then serve: Before serving, taste and adjust if needed with a pinch of salt until the flavor is just right. Serve over rice or quinoa with chopped fresh cilantro!

Video

YouTube video

Notes

What to serve it with – the best way to serve this chickpea stew is with some grains! We love brown, white, or wild rice, quinoa, or even farro. If you prefer not to serve it with a grain you can serve it alongside salad such as our artichoke salad or this greek cucumber and tomato salad.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Keyword chickpea stew, moroccan chickpea stew
Freezer Friendly Yes
Author A Simple Palate

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 51.6g | Protein: 11.2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 0.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 0mg | Potassium: 887mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 6.9g | Vitamin A: 0IU | Vitamin C: 0mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 3.2mg

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60 Comments

  • Emma says:

    5 stars
    I make this about once a month. It has become my go-to for nights i’m too lazy to cook. Sometimes I add smoked paprika instead of regular for more spice. Thank you so much for this awesome meal!

    • Bethany Kramer says:

      Thank you so much, Emma! I’m so glad to hear it’s become a staple. It’s been my go-to for a few years now 🙂

  • Maggie says:

    5 stars
    Made this tonight. It was so delicious!

  • Laura says:

    5 stars
    Delicious. I just made this for my lunches. I didn’t have Tumeric or Garam Masala so I added some coriander and curry. I also put in some celery and red peppers and made quinoa to go with it. So easy to make and comes together so quickly. I’m not vegan or vegetarian but love to make meatless meals for myself. This will be made many times. Thanks for the fast and easy and delicious recipe

    • Bethany Kramer says:

      Yay – thank you! 🙂 So glad it could work even without certain seasonings! It’s such a great meatless dinner.

  • Sarah says:

    Excited to make this! I assume that you drain the garbanzo beans before adding the can?

  • Kathryn says:

    Hi! This recipe looks delicious, as I am a big fan of garbanzo beans. I will definitely be trying this out. A question that I have: do you drain the cans of diced tomatoes, or pour them in without draining?

    Thank you in advance!

    • Bethany Kramer says:

      Hi Kathryn, I’m a big fan of garbanzo beans as well! I do not drain my diced tomatoes because I actually like the added tomato juices. And fear not, it all reduces and thickens by the end.
      🙂 Let me know how you like it when you try it!

  • Suzan J says:

    I love chickpeas, so I’m really excited to try this. I love how easy stews are to make!

    • Bethany Kramer says:

      Aren’t they? Love how easy this stew is. 🙂 Hope you enjoy this recipe if you try it.

  • Heather says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious!!

  • Nicki says:

    5 stars
    Made this as a meal prep! Loved it so much especially with the rice. Added a little more spice. So good!

  • Karen says:

    Made this for lunches this week. Super easy and super yummy! Anyone know the nutritional values?

  • Mindy says:

    Looks like an awesome recipe! I was wondering what’s the difference between this and Channa Masala (Indian chickpea dish)?

  • LeTrice says:

    5 stars
    Recently started eating no meat and the hardest thing so far has been finding good meat fulfilling recipes and this by far has achieved that. This is such an easy and tasty recipe!!

  • Bob Kramer says:

    5 stars
    This is another recipe that we are sure to try – and the photos are great!

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