Spicy Chickpeas Sweet Potato Spinach Sauté

This Spicy Chickpeas Sweet Potato Spinach Sauté is made in one pot. It is a vegan, healthy, and delicious, easy weeknight meal that can be made in about 20 minutes.

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Made with a handful of healthy ingredients, this Spicy Chickpeas Sweet Potato Spinach is a flavorful dish that’s perfect for a busy weeknight meal.

It is a fusion recipe that combines spices like cinnamon, coriander, and turmeric, resulting in a dish that is a delicious blend of flavors.

Not only is this dish full of flavor, but I also share my favorite, quickest, and easiest way to cook sweet potatoes on the stovetop in 10 minutes, no oven necessary. More about this method below.

Inspiration for this dish

This recipe was inspired by a dish my guy and I had at a restaurant called Bela Lisboa in North Chattanooga, Tennessee.

After a hike, we stumbled into Bela Lisboa when they had just opened for their dinner service. As the sole clients there (because who eats dinner at 5 pm?!), we were treated so well by the staff. They brought us complimentary appetizers, including hummus and a dish called “Queijo De Cabra Gratinado Com Mel E Nozes,” which was a fig-infused goat cheese drizzled with honey, walnuts, and a tart balsamic reduction, served with crispy toasted bread.

As delicious as these were, what had my taste buds doing a somersault was their Spiced Chickpeas. This was a simple dish consisting of delicously spiced chickpeas, served with roasted sweet potatoes, rice, and a drizzle of coconut curry sauce. When I inquired about the spice combination, I was informed that the spices included cumin, cinnamon, and paprika.

So, I decided to incorporate that spice combination into a quick and easy, small-batch weeknight dinner that featured chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and spinach.

This Pan-roasted Spicy Chickpeas Sweet Potato Spinach dish isn’t an exact replica of the dish I had at Bela Lisboa. But it is a celebration of the blend of some spices and vegetables I had the pleasure of enjoying.

What makes me hope you will like this recipe:

• It is so tasty with a fusion blend of spices and everyday ingredients,
• It is a vegan (we are not vegan, but enjoyed this immensely),
• It is gluten-free,
• It is filling and satisfying,
• It is packed with nutrients,
• It is ready in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for a busy weeknight,
• It is made with 10 main ingredients,
• And, it’ll show you how to cook sweet potatoes on a stove top in 10 minutes!

What are the ingredients needed to make this Spicy Chickpeas Sweet Potato Spinach recipe?

The 10 main ingredients, along with suggested substitutions, are listed below.

1. Sweet Potatoes
   I used 2 medium-sized orange sweet potatoes. However, purple sweet potatoes could also be used.
2. Canned chickpeas
   Canned chickpeas are a pantry staple, so I used them as a plant-based protein source in this dish. Chickpeas can be replaced with any other canned bean of your preference.
3. Fresh Spinach
   I used a whole container of fresh spinach in this recipe. Fresh kale could be used instead.
4. Extra virgin olive oil
   This is an oil we always have on hand and use in everything from sautes like this to salads, soups, and more. However, any oil you prefer can be used in place of it.
5. Fresh onion
   I used a small yellow onion in this recipe. However, a small red onion could also be used.
6. Cumin
   I have found that cumin is such a delicious and aromatic spice. However, it can be replaced with curry powder or an extra teaspoon of coriander in this recipe.
7. Smoked paprika
   I love the addition of smoked paprika in this dish. Alternatively, paprika can be used instead.
8. Coriander
   I get my coriander from The DeKalb Farmers Market or from Amazon. The coriander and cumin in this dish can be replaced with curry powder or garam masala.
9. Cinnamon
   Cinnamon is often added to savory dishes in Sri Lanka and the Middle East. I have found that in the right amount, it can elevate the other spices and add a complex flavor profile to any dish.
10. Turmeric
    I used just a little bit of turmeric for aroma, color, and taste. It is one of the spices on this list that could be omitted.

I also used a pinch of salt and black pepper to season this Spicy Chickpeas Sweet Potato Spinach Sauté. And, I served this dish garnished with some red pepper flakes and fresh parsley.

Instructions

Step 1: Start by peeling and chopping the onion with a sharp knife. Also, peel the sweet potato and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Peeling the sweet potato is optional. If you prefer, the skin can be left on.

Step 2: Drain and rinse the chickpeas.

Step 3: Then, add the extra virgin olive oil to a large pan and set it over a stovetop set to medium heat.

Step 4: Cook tender sweet potatoes in 10 minutes on the stovetop.
Add the cut sweet potatoes into the pan and give them a good stir so they get tossed in the oil. Then, cover the pan and let the sweet potatoes roast for about 4 minutes. Uncover the pan and toss the sweet potatoes so the pieces have their uncooked sides towards the bottom of the pan. Cover the pan again and let the sweet potatoes cook for another 4 minutes. Remove the lid again and toss the sweet potatoes. Then, cover the pan and let the sweet potatoes roast for an additional 2 minutes. Use a fork and check the sweet potatoes. They should be fork-tender in consistency at this point.

Step 5: Add the chopped onion, the rinsed canned chickpeas, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, turmeric, and cinnamon to the pan with the roasted sweet potato and stir well.

Step 6: Then, add in the fresh spinach and cover the pan for about 2 minutes.. It will be a whole mound of spinach, but don’t worry, it will wilt down to a very manageable amount in 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 7: Remove the cover and stir all the ingredients well. Season this with salt and black pepper to taste.

And this Spicy Chickpeas Sweet Potato Spinach Sauté is ready to enjoy.

Or, it can be served with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and a tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley or cilantro.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

This Spicy Chickpeas Sweet Potato Spinach Sauté can be served in bowls with chopped avocado and tomatoes.

It can also be made with some cauliflower tossed in with the sweet potatoes.

If you want a bit of gravy to this dish, so it resembles a sweet potato, spinach, and chickpea curry, add in about 1 cup of coconut milk when the spinach is added in, and stir it well

To add even more flavor, some chopped garlic can be added in with the onion.

If you prefer a carb-heavy meal, this saute can be served with some quinoa and a drizzle of lime juice.

Storage and Reheating

Leftovers of this dish can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. It can also be frozen for a month. To them it, place it on the kitchen counter until it comes to room temperature.

To reheat this, place the portion you want in a microwave-safe dish and microwave for about 30 seconds. Remove from the microwave and stir. Repeat this process until the temperature reaches your preferred level.

Thanks so much for stopping by. If you make this recipe, please let me know in the comments below what you think of it, or tag your creation on social media with @savoryspin or #savoryspin.
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Thank you for sharing!