The humble, canned & cooked chickpea is underrated for its utility as a base protein for an easy side dish. While I love cooking chickpeas from scratch, I buy the cooked and canned chickpeas all the time.
In this recipe, simply drained chickpeas are combined with a mixture of dried spices, fresh jalapenos, red onions, olive oil, and freshly-squeezed lime juice.
The seasoned chickpeas can be served by themselves, or as a component for vegan tacos! Add some prepared hummus, along with some protein, and you have yourself an easy entrée.
Fiery Lime & Jalapeno-Spiced Chickpeas
Ingredients
- 1 can cooked chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp red onion (about ¼ red onion, small dice)
- 1 jalapeno (finely minced, seeds included if you like spice)
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- Zest of 1 lime
- Juice of 1 lime
- Kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Drain the cooked chickpeas from the can, and rinse the chickpeas until the water runs clear.
- Drain the rinsed chickpeas, and transfer them to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Add the olive oil, diced red onion, minced jalapeno, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, paprika, cayenne pepper, along with the zest and juice of at least one lime.
- Taste, and add Kosher salt freshly-ground black pepper, if desired.
- Serve cold, or at room temperature.
Notes
This side dish will keep well without any problems if kept covered in the fridge for a day or two.
Add some Feta cheese to the mix here, if that sounds appealing to you.
Add the mixture here to some romaine lettuce wraps, and you have a really healthy entrée!