11 Dinners To Make With a Can of Chickpeas

What’s not to like about canned chickpeas? (They’re sometimes called garbanzo beans, or adoringly chi chi beans in our house.) They are affordable, packed with protein, convenient, and so versatile. You can easily transform a can of chickpeas into all kinds of delicious meals—creamy hummus, crispy falafel, crunchy salad toppers, and hearty stews. As vegans, we incorporate chickpeas into our meals on a regular basis. 

We’ve gathered 11 easy and complete dinners that all start with a can of our most beloved legume and can be made in about one hour—most take a lot less time. These recipes don’t skimp on flavor, texture, or plant-based protein.

1. Chana Masala

Chana masala is one of our favorite chickpea dinners. It’s classic Indian comfort food and every bite makes us feel warm and well fed. It’s great for making ahead and serving with white rice for a quick and easy weeknight meal. You can throw in peas for extra protein or more vegetables like eggplant or cauliflower.

2. 20-Minute Beef and Chickpeas

Contributor Devan Grimsrud says, "If you don’t want to serve this with rice at all, have some warm flatbread, like roti or paratha, on the side instead. If I have it on hand, I’ll also add a little spoonful of yogurt, some pickled red onions, lime wedges, and fresh cilantro to my plate to round everything out."

3. Cauliflower Chickpea Curry

Speaking of cauliflower, this cauliflower chickpea curry uses store-bought yellow curry powder and fresh ginger for aromatics, keeping the sauce simple yet flavorful. Canned chickpeas, cauliflower, and whole peeled tomatoes are the bulk of the meal. We like adding some coconut milk at the end for a creamier curry—it’s such an easily customizable meal!

4. Hummus Soup

Recipe developer Catherine Jessee says, "Depending on your preferred consistency, adjust the liquid as needed. Add or remove water—just one tablespoon at a time—to reach the texture that you prefer. You can use chopped cilantro for a fresh peppery bite if you don't have parsley."

5. Paprika Chicken with Chickpeas

The beauty of this meal is that it’s a one-pan-in-the-oven kind of dinner—toss smoky (thanks to the paprika) chickpeas, onions, and the chicken into a casserole and bake. That’s it! The chickpeas provide extra protein and starch, so you won’t have to cook another side dish to serve it with.

6. Air Fryer Falafel

Air fryer falafel is quick to make and easy to clean up, making it the ideal weeknight dinner. Stuff them into pita pockets with lettuce, tomato, and the simple tahini sauce for the most delicious meal!

7. Roasted Chickpeas and Artichokes with Lemon, Parsley, and Feta

Contributor Molly Adams says, "For enough to serve four adults with leftovers—I can stretch it out and enjoy it for lunch the next day (win!)— the ingredients add up to less than $15. It has for all the years I’ve been making it."

8. Kale Sausage Soup with Tomatoes and Chickpeas

We love all Italian soups and this one delivers on both ease and flavor. Legumes can truly be the star if you sub kidney beans for the sausage like a reader recommends—“I made this without the sausage and with white kidney beans, delicious tomato chicken stock base with Parmesan to add richness.”

9. Lemon Chicken Chickpea Soup

This soup is comforting on all levels—it’s a simple chicken soup made with warming spices like turmeric and cumin. Nothing beats the lemony bite of rice and chickpeas in this Moroccan-inspired soup. As vegans, we substitute soy curls and vegetable broth in the place of chicken and chicken stock. It’s so full of flavor.

10. Chickpea Panini

As vegans, we’re always making chickpea salad. It’s delicious, filling, and so easy to make. This recipe is no different—it’s perfect for dinner in a pinch. With only a few ingredients, you can have dinner on the table in 10 minutes flat.

11. Mediterranean Chickpea Bowls with Tahini Sauce

Mediterranean, meet chickpea, again. (They are the perfect match!) This vegan and gluten-free bowl has everything you need for a healthy chickpea-inspired meal. Warning: you are going to get hooked on the tahini dressing—it’s amazing on baked tofu, roasted vegetables, and massaged with kale.