These vegan curried chickpea bowls make meal prepping for the week a breeze. The chickpeas are paired with garlicky spinach and brown rice for an easy meal that’s absolutely delicious and filling.
Hooray, it’s Friday!! I’m not trying to rush the weekend away, but today I want to talk about meal prep. I’ve been doing it every Sunday for the past few months and it’s been a total game-changer. I use this meal planning printable to plan our meals for the week ahead, go to the grocery store and do a little meal prep. These few hours over the weekend make make it incredibly easy to whip up health meals throughout the week.
Curried Chickpea Bowls Video
Last up we have my curried chickpea bowls with garlicky spinach.
These bowls are super efficient because you use the same pan to cook the spinach and the chickpeas, both of which can happen while your brown rice is cooking.
Plus, the flavor is on point!!
The chickpeas are cooked with onions and garlic and tossed in fragrant tomato based curry sauce that pairs wonderfully with the zesty lemon garlic spinach. Serving both of these over a generous portion of brown rice makes for a hearty and filling vegan gluten-free meal prep bowl that you can bring for lunch or have on hand for a quick dinner.
The recipe makes three servings so if you want a week’s worth of meals you’ll want to double it! You can easily reheat the curried chickpea bowls before serving or eat them cold. There’s no wrong way to eat meal prep bowls! 🙂
These vegan curried chickpea bowls make meal prepping for the week a breeze. The chickpeas are paired with garlicky spinach and brown rice for an easy meal that’s absolutely delicious and filling.
Ingredients
Garlicky Spinach
1 teaspoon avocado oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
5 oz baby spinach
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 lemon juiced
Curried Chickpeas
2 teaspoons avocado oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, chopped
1 15 oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 teaspoons curry
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
3 Tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
fresh cilantro, chopped (for topping)
green onion, chopped (for topping)
3 cups cooked brown or white rice
Instructions
Cook rice, if it’s not cooked already.
Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes). Add baby spinach to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes or until spinach has started to wilt. Toss in sea salt and lemon juice. Toss to coat, remove from heat and place spinach on a small plate.
In the small skillet you used to cook the spinach, add another 2 teaspoons oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onion and cook (stirring frequently) until onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Add spices (curry powder, cumin, cinnamon), chickpeas and tomato paste into the skillet. Toss to combine and quickly add water as the pan will start to dry out. Add sea salt and pepper, toss everything together and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and prepare bowls — each one with brown rice, chickpeas and spinach. Top with cilantro and green onion.
For meal prep, allow all ingredients to cool and then grab 3 glass storage containers. Fill each with 1 cup rice, 1/3 of curried chickpeas and 1/3 of baby spinach. Top with cilantro and green onion. Place in fridge until ready to eat.
Category:Lunch/Dinner
Method:Meal Prep
Cuisine:American
Nutrition
Serving Size:1 bowl
Calories:455
Sugar:6g
Fat:9g
Carbohydrates:79g
Fiber:16g
Protein:15g
Keywords: curried chickpeas
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I have recently started eating more vegetarian meals and decided to make this for dinner and meal prep for lunches. It tastes so amazing, I definitely wasn’t expecting it! I used twice the amount of chickpeas to make more meals but left the other ingredients the same and it worked well. I also replaced water with a can of diced tomatoes which turned out well. I added a bit more spinach but the same amount of garlic and it still tasted garlic-y enough for me. Will definitely be making again!
Made this for a couple of years now… it’s really good and easy… meal prep or for quick healthy weeknight meal. It went over well with the boyfriend! I always forget to add more spinach, it wilts down so much. And I’ll try a little chard next time. Thank you for this recipe.. and it’s great when you want a meatless meal!
Hey Joy, I am thrilled to hear that you have been enjoying this dish for quite awhile! And happy to hear it got the boyfriend’s stamp of approval too. 🙂 Thank you for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. It means the world to me!
I just made this dish and it was quick and easy. The dish has lots of flavor. I like how you can make two dishes in the same cooking pan so theres less dishes to wash.
This was really delicious! I think the amount of spinach that comes in a 5 oz package is not quite enough for 3 bowls, at least for me, so I think next time I’ll either get more spinach or try it with a more voluminous leafy green like chard or kale so I can really fill up the bowl with veggies. The spices on the chickpeas are amazing though, and the touch of lemon juice really brought the whole thing together. Thanks!
Yay!!!! This makes me so happy, Amy. And thank you so much for coming back to leave a comment and star rating after trying the recipe. Your feedback is so helpful.
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy these bowls. I usually double the recipe and then I have an entire week of prepped meals. What could be better than that?! I made a few tweaks that make the recipe equally delicious. In place of the tomato paste I add a can of diced tomatoes. I also like adding lentils and potatoes in addition to the chickpeas.
Thanks again for sharing a healthy, tasty, easy meal prep recipe!
Brittany, I was super excited about the curried chickpea bowls only to realize that the half-a**ed recipe does no good to a starter like me. Not blaming you but a little more clarity / steps in your instructions will help us out. I’d rather see more of the prep-instructions than your end product!
This is my first time making a vegan dish, and I LOVE IT!! I swapped the spinach for kale, and added some cayenne pepper (because I’m a spiceoholic) alcoholic. I am trying to do more vegan dishes that are high in protein, and this one knocked it out the park. I am in heaven with how deliciously easy the recipe is. You have a new fan, and I look forward to trying out more of your recipes. Thanks!!
I loved this recipe! It was delicious and easy to make. I doubled the recipe to make it for the week and I’m disappointed how much the spinach cooked down – enough for 2 or 3 servings tops. I’ll just have to add more, and maybe use frozen to save money! Overall awesome 🙂
I made these bowls this past weekend to have on hand for the week. I wanted something to spice up my lunches. They are fantastic – thanks for sharing this recipe!
I am new to meal prepping and asking for a few tips. A small far as nutrition facts go it say so 1 bowl is 455 calories. When mean prepping is there an exact portion of rice/chickpea to put in each container?
I just made this and I know it will be a regular in my meal plan rotation! I needed to make this stretch recipe for 2 dinners and 2 leftover lunches so I added a can of loosely drained diced tomatoes and it was a great addition to create more food with no work.
I used olive oil instead. I’m not a big fan of cooked spinach so I wasn’t sure about this recipe, but it was delicious aside from me accidentally putting a little more cinnamon in than I had intended. I would also definitely cut down on the rice a bit. Even for just one serving, a cup of rice is a ton! I also included garlic naan I bought from the store (I love garlic anything!) to dip in the bowl. I will definitely be making this recipe again!
Hi Brittany, I love chickpeas and this dish looks delicious & can’t wait to try it! Quick question about the meal prep – will the dish be ok in the fridge for 6 days or should I freeze half? Also do the containers have to glass? Thank you ????
I think 3-4 days is ideal, but I don’t think the bowls would be bad on day 6. And nope, plastic containers will work fine. Just don’t put your plastic containers in the microwave. 🙂
Hi Kristy. Do you not like curry? If that’s the case, maybe try subbing 2 teaspoons of chili powder for the curry and make it more of a Mexican style dish!
Excited to give this a try this weekend, looks delicious! If I use olive oil instead of avocado oil, will there be a big taste difference? Is there a benefit to use avo oil? Thanks!
Hi Becca. You can definitely use olive oil here. I like using avocado oil for high heat cooking, like roasting veggies, because it has a higher smoke point, but olive oil will definitely work for this recipe!
You win for easiest meal prep bowl of the bunch! I love how simple yet delicious these veg bowls are! Chickpeas are an awesome veg protein and love the spice on these!
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I have recently started eating more vegetarian meals and decided to make this for dinner and meal prep for lunches. It tastes so amazing, I definitely wasn’t expecting it! I used twice the amount of chickpeas to make more meals but left the other ingredients the same and it worked well. I also replaced water with a can of diced tomatoes which turned out well. I added a bit more spinach but the same amount of garlic and it still tasted garlic-y enough for me. Will definitely be making again!
★★★★★
Made this for a couple of years now… it’s really good and easy… meal prep or for quick healthy weeknight meal. It went over well with the boyfriend! I always forget to add more spinach, it wilts down so much. And I’ll try a little chard next time. Thank you for this recipe.. and it’s great when you want a meatless meal!
★★★★★
Hey Joy, I am thrilled to hear that you have been enjoying this dish for quite awhile! And happy to hear it got the boyfriend’s stamp of approval too. 🙂 Thank you for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. It means the world to me!
I just made this dish and it was quick and easy. The dish has lots of flavor. I like how you can make two dishes in the same cooking pan so theres less dishes to wash.
★★★★★
This is one of my favorite meals to make! It’s quick, easy and tasty.
★★★★★
Just made it for lunch tomorrow, had to have a bite or FEW before. Great recipe!
★★★★
This was really delicious! I think the amount of spinach that comes in a 5 oz package is not quite enough for 3 bowls, at least for me, so I think next time I’ll either get more spinach or try it with a more voluminous leafy green like chard or kale so I can really fill up the bowl with veggies. The spices on the chickpeas are amazing though, and the touch of lemon juice really brought the whole thing together. Thanks!
Oo going to try and make these things weekend!
Megan
http://www.todayisthedaylifestyle.com/blog
These chickpeas are to die for. I looooove them. I added broccolini in with the spinach because I love veggies. My husband and I loved every bite
★★★★★
Yay!!!! This makes me so happy, Amy. And thank you so much for coming back to leave a comment and star rating after trying the recipe. Your feedback is so helpful.
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy these bowls. I usually double the recipe and then I have an entire week of prepped meals. What could be better than that?! I made a few tweaks that make the recipe equally delicious. In place of the tomato paste I add a can of diced tomatoes. I also like adding lentils and potatoes in addition to the chickpeas.
Thanks again for sharing a healthy, tasty, easy meal prep recipe!
Brittany,
I was super excited about the curried chickpea bowls only to realize that the half-a**ed recipe does no good to a starter like me. Not blaming you but a little more clarity / steps in your instructions will help us out. I’d rather see more of the prep-instructions than your end product!
Thanks for getting me excited,
BS
Bill – did you try the recipe? Which instructions were confusing?
This is my first time making a vegan dish, and I LOVE IT!! I swapped the spinach for kale, and added some cayenne pepper (because I’m a spiceoholic) alcoholic. I am trying to do more vegan dishes that are high in protein, and this one knocked it out the park. I am in heaven with how deliciously easy the recipe is. You have a new fan, and I look forward to trying out more of your recipes. Thanks!!
★★★★★
Yay!! I am so happy your first vegan dish was a success and that you enjoyed these bowls. Can’t wait to hear which EBF recipe you try next. 🙂
I loved this recipe! It was delicious and easy to make. I doubled the recipe to make it for the week and I’m disappointed how much the spinach cooked down – enough for 2 or 3 servings tops. I’ll just have to add more, and maybe use frozen to save money! Overall awesome 🙂
★★★★★
I made these bowls this past weekend to have on hand for the week. I wanted something to spice up my lunches. They are fantastic – thanks for sharing this recipe!
Can i put this in the fridge and then eat it cold for lunch? Or do you recommend heating it back up?
Thank you 🙂
I added some turmeric and red pepper flakes and it was delicious. I would totally make this again!
Yay! So glad that you liked it, Abby. 🙂
Is there a way to make this without oil? I would love to try this recipe!!
I am new to meal prepping and asking for a few tips. A small far as nutrition facts go it say so 1 bowl is 455 calories. When mean prepping is there an exact portion of rice/chickpea to put in each container?
I just made this and I know it will be a regular in my meal plan rotation! I needed to make this stretch recipe for 2 dinners and 2 leftover lunches so I added a can of loosely drained diced tomatoes and it was a great addition to create more food with no work.
Yay! So glad you tired and liked this recipe, Jess! And I love your tip about adding a can of diced tomatoes to stretch the recipe.
I used olive oil instead. I’m not a big fan of cooked spinach so I wasn’t sure about this recipe, but it was delicious aside from me accidentally putting a little more cinnamon in than I had intended. I would also definitely cut down on the rice a bit. Even for just one serving, a cup of rice is a ton! I also included garlic naan I bought from the store (I love garlic anything!) to dip in the bowl. I will definitely be making this recipe again!
Do you think these are ok to freeze
Just made a double recipe! Taste awesome!
Woo-hoo! So glad you like it, Angela.
Is that calorie content for the entire recipe? It seems high for one bowl.
Thanks for noticing this, Michelle. The nutrition facts were wonky for this recipe. Just updated them. 🙂
I was just thinking the same thing!
Yes, something wonky was going on with the nutrition facts. Just updated them! Sorry about that.
Hi there. I was wondering if the calorie and carb info was accurate? It seems high. Thanks!
What kind of curry did you use? The red paste curry or the yellow powdered curry?
Can’t wait to try this recipe 🙂
I used the yellow curry powder. Enjoy the recipe!! 🙂
Hi! Can you do this dish in a croc pot with dry garbanzo? or should I first cook the garbanzo in the croc pot and then prep this meal?
Thanks..
★★★★★
Hi Cori! I would cook the beans in your crockpot first and then use them to prep the meal. Hope you love it!
Thanks so much for this recipe, it was absolutely delicious! And tasted even better the next day too! 🙂
I absolutely LOVED this recipe! I added a little bit of fresh ginger…delicious!
Hooray!!! So glad you liked this recipe, Britney. Also, love your name. 🙂
Which glass containers do you use? I like this size.
I bought this package of glass containers from Target (http://bit.ly/2lyYAz8). The rectangular ones are 14oz.
Hi Brittany,
I love chickpeas and this dish looks delicious & can’t wait to try it! Quick question about the meal prep – will the dish be ok in the fridge for 6 days or should I freeze half? Also do the containers have to glass?
Thank you ????
I think 3-4 days is ideal, but I don’t think the bowls would be bad on day 6. And nope, plastic containers will work fine. Just don’t put your plastic containers in the microwave. 🙂
This looks wonderful, great flavors and colors. I am a huge curry fan, thanks!
Lovely photos! Looking forward to making this. Any suggestions as to a substitution for the curry?
Hi Kristy. Do you not like curry? If that’s the case, maybe try subbing 2 teaspoons of chili powder for the curry and make it more of a Mexican style dish!
Great meal prep idea! Love the one-pan tip for the chickpeas and spinach because the fewer dishes the better, right?
This looks SO amazing. Adding it to my menu!
I love garlicky anything and everything! What an awesome lunch these would be!
Excited to give this a try this weekend, looks delicious! If I use olive oil instead of avocado oil, will there be a big taste difference? Is there a benefit to use avo oil? Thanks!
Hi Becca. You can definitely use olive oil here. I like using avocado oil for high heat cooking, like roasting veggies, because it has a higher smoke point, but olive oil will definitely work for this recipe!
I have a total obsession with curried chickpeas! crunchy flavorful and protein packed. gonna make these bowls for days! Or I will try! haha
Chickpea and curry is my fav combo! This recipe is definitely happening this week!
You win for easiest meal prep bowl of the bunch! I love how simple yet delicious these veg bowls are! Chickpeas are an awesome veg protein and love the spice on these!
These look amazing !!!
very good one
Do you rinse and drain the chickpeas?
Yes! I’ll add that to the instructions. 🙂
Thank you so much, Karlie. I hope you get a chance to try them.