11 Dinners To Make With a Can of Chickpeas

It's time to reach into your pantry.

By
Julie & Amy Luxemberg
Vibing Vegans
Julie & Amy Luxemberg
Sisters Julie & Amy Luxemberg are self-taught vegan chefs, recipe developers, and content creators.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published January 26, 2026
Vibing Vegans
overhead view of 20-Minute One-Pan Beef and Chickpeas in a skillet with a side of greek yogurt and rice

Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

What’s not to like about canned chickpeas? (They’re sometimes called garbanzo beans or, adorably, chi chi beans in our house.) They are affordable, packed with protein, convenient, and 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, 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.

  • Chana Masala

    Best Chana Masala bowl of chana masala with rice, and lemon wedge
    Prerna Singh

    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.

  • 20-Minute Beef and Chickpeas

    overhead view of 20-Minute One-Pan Beef and Chickpeas in a skillet with a side of greek yogurt and rice

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    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."

  • Cauliflower Chickpea Curry

    Cauliflower Chickpea Curry
    Elise Bauer

    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!

  • Hummus Soup

    Bowls of hummus next to a small bowl of roasted chickpeas, another small bowl with chopped parsley, and a burnt orange kitchen towel, all on a wooden table

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Julia Bayliss

    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."

    Continue to 5 of 11 below

  • Paprika Chicken with Chickpeas

    A white baking dish containing six chicken thighs nestled among chickpeas, with chopped fresh cilantro scattered on top.
    Elise Bauer

    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.

  • Air Fryer Falafel

    Plate of Air Fryer Falafel in a Pita Pocket With Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Lettuce Next to an Air Fryer Basin With More Pieces of Falafel

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    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!

  • Roasted Chickpeas and Artichokes with Lemon, Parsley, and Feta

    roasted chickpeas, artichokes, and feta

    Simply Recipes / Molly Adams

    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."

  • Kale Sausage Soup with Tomatoes and Chickpeas

    Kale Sausage Chickpea Soup
    Elise Bauer

    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.”

    Continue to 9 of 11 below

  • Lemon Chicken Chickpea Soup

    Lemon Chicken Chickpea Rice Soup
    Elise Bauer

    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.

  • Chickpea Panini

    Closeup of a Chickpea Panini

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "The filling for this sandwich is a combination of chickpeas, shredded carrots, lots of lemon juice, and soft goat cheese. It’s satisfying and flavorful and lasts several days in the fridge. It’s all done in a single bowl and no more complicated than making tuna or chicken salad." —Katie Morford, Recipe Developer

  • Mediterranean Chickpea Bowls with Tahini Sauce

    Mediterranean Chickpea Buddha Bowls
    Sabrina Modelle

    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.

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