What to Make With Chickpeas and Potatoes: 3 Easy Meatless Dinners
A can of chickpeas and two potatoes is a classic "nothing in the house" combo, and a good one. Potatoes make it filling, and a little garlic, lemon or spice turns them into dinner.
Drain and rinse the chickpeas, pat them dry if you want them to brown, and cut the potatoes into even pieces so they cook at the same rate.
Got more in the fridge? Tell Chilly what you have, or snap a photo, and we'll pick a dinner for you. Free. → Find tonight's dinner
Tonight's picks
1. Aloo gobi with chickpeas (one pan, Indian-style)
Uses: chickpeas, cauliflower, potatoes, onion, garlic, ginger, cumin seeds, turmeric, tomato
- Boil the potatoes until a knife just slips in, then cut into chunks.
- Crackle the cumin in oil, then fry the onion, garlic, ginger and tomato.
- Add the cauliflower, potatoes, turmeric and salt with a splash of water. Cover until the cauliflower is tender.
- Stir in the chickpeas, cook five more minutes and serve.
Keeps: tastes even better the next day.
2. Greek chickpeas with tomatoes and potatoes (bright and lemony)
Uses: chickpeas, tomatoes, potatoes, garlic, lemon, olive oil
- Warm olive oil with garlic and a squeeze of lemon, then brown the chickpeas.
- Add the tomatoes and cook until soft.
- Simmer the potatoes in salted water until a knife slides in.
- Finish with more lemon and serve together.
Keeps: good warm or at room temperature.
3. Spanish chickpea stew with carrots and potatoes (one pot)
Uses: chickpeas, carrots, potatoes, garlic, oil
- Warm the oil in a pot and cook the garlic for half a minute.
- Add the chickpeas, carrots and potatoes with water to cover.
- Simmer until the carrots and potatoes are tender.
- Taste, season and serve. A pinch of paprika is nice if you have it.
Keeps: freezes well.
Each recipe serves 2. Double it for 4.
More chickpea and potato dinners
Falafel with chickpeas, tomatoes and potatoes · Zucchini chickpeas with tomatoes and potatoes · Chickpea tacos with cabbage
Make it with leftovers
Leftover boiled or roasted potatoes can skip the boiling step. Just add them to the pan.
Pantry staples you'll need
Oil, garlic, salt and a lemon or a tomato. Cumin and turmeric for the aloo gobi.
No cauliflower: use more potato, or a handful of frozen peas.
Picky-eater tweaks
- Mash a few chickpeas into the stew to thicken it.
- Leave out the spices for kids and add hot sauce at the table.
- Chickpeas make a meatless dinner hearty.
Have something else in the fridge?
Try potatoes and onions, black beans and sweet potatoes or just potatoes. Or tell Chilly what you have.
FAQ
Do chickpeas and potatoes go together?
Yes. They show up together in Indian, Greek, Spanish and Middle Eastern home cooking.
Can I use dried chickpeas?
Yes, if they're already cooked. One can is about 1.5 cups cooked.
Is it a full meal?
Yes. Potatoes make it filling. Add any green vegetable you have.
Is it kid-friendly?
The Spanish stew is the mildest. Keep the spices low and serve with bread.
What if I don't have potatoes?
Serve the chickpeas over rice. See chickpeas in our recipes.