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Mediterranean Lemon Rice with Chickpeas

A vibrant, one-pot meal featuring rice cooked with chickpeas, fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta, all brought together with zesty lemon juice.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup jasmine rice or any rice you have on hand
  • 2 cups vegetable broth or water
  • 1 can chickpeas 15 oz, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups fresh spinach or more if you love greens
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
  • 1 unit lemon Juice of 1 lemon or more if you’re feeling zesty
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh herbs like parsley or basil Optional, for garnish

Method
 

Cooking the Rice
  1. In a medium pot, combine the rice and vegetable broth. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes until tender.
Sautéing the Chickpeas and Spinach
  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chickpeas and sauté for about 5 minutes, allowing them to get a little crispy. Add the spinach and cook until it wilts down.
Mixing in the Tomatoes
  1. Toss in your halved cherry tomatoes to add some sweetness and pop of color. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until they’re nice and warm.
Combining Everything
  1. Once your rice is cooked, gently fluff it with a fork. Stir in the chickpea and spinach mixture along with the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Topping with Feta
  1. Right before serving, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top.
Garnishing
  1. Add some chopped fresh herbs for garnish if desired.

Notes

For a quick fix, consider using pre-cooked rice or brown rice to cut down cooking time. This dish is even better the next day! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cheese can be swapped with crumbled goat cheese or grated Parmesan if feta isn’t available.