Creamy One Dish Tuscan Chickpea

Indulge in the goodness of this creamy one-dish Tuscan chickpea recipe, which puts a vegan twist on the beloved classic Tuscan “chicken.” Experience the familiar and delightful ingredients you adore, complemented by a perfect balance of protein, wholesome greens, and savory spices. This satisfying and nourishing meal is a delightful choice for any day of the week.

Ingredients and Substitutions For This One Dish Tuscan Chickpea

The recipe’s star is the chickpeas, a perfect option to include more plant-based meals into your diet. Opting for canned chickpeas saves time and is cost-effective.

The dish’s creamy texture and rich flavor come from using full-fat coconut milk, which is a versatile and nutritious ingredient packed with healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. If you’re not fond of coconut milk, cashew cream or any non-dairy milk can be used as an alternative.

The sundried tomatoes add sweetness and tanginess to the recipe, but you can use fresh or canned tomatoes or roasted red peppers or artichoke hearts for different flavors.

Onions and garlic are prevalent in many cuisines worldwide and give this creamy one dish Tuscan chickpea recipe depth and complexity while also being packed with health-promoting compounds.

Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy and nutty flavor and is a fantastic source of protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. If you don’t have any, grated vegan parmesan cheese can be used instead.

Spinach is a superfood packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it an excellent addition to any plant-based meal.

Fresh basil and Italian spice blend give the dish a bright and fresh flavor. If you don’t have Italian spice blend on hand, you can create your own blend or use a store-bought seasoning blend.

Overall, these ingredients work together to create a delicious and nutritious plant-based dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re vegan or just want to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet, this Creamy Tuscan Chickpeas recipe is a new favorite waiting to be discovered.

Helpful Tools

• Large Pan: You’ll need a large pan to make this recipe, as it includes several ingredients and requires space to simmer and reduce the sauce. A non-stick or stainless steel pan is ideal.
• Sharp Knife: You’ll need a sharp knife to dice the onion, mince the garlic, and chop the basil. A chef’s knife or a paring knife works well for these tasks.
• Cutting Board: A sturdy cutting board is essential for chopping and preparing ingredients.
• Lemon Juicer: To make juicing the lemon easier, you can use a lemon juicer or a citrus reamer.

How to Make This Creamy Tuscan Chickpea Dish

Making this recipe is a breeze, with just a few easy steps to follow. By following these instructions, you’ll create a delectable and creamy Tuscan-style chickpea dish that’s ideal for a cozy night in.

Begin by rinsing and draining the chickpeas, mincing the garlic, dicing the onion, and chopping the basil. Open the can of coconut milk and tomato paste.

Heat a large pan on medium heat with a tablespoon of oil. Add the diced onion and cook for a few minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Add the Italian spice blend, coconut milk, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, sun-dried tomatoes, chickpeas, and half of the chopped basil. Stir the ingredients together and let the mixture simmer for 12 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together.

Once the sauce has thickened, add the spinach and stir until the spinach has wilted. This should take 2-3 minutes.

Top with the remaining chopped basil and serve either by itself, with crusty bread, over pasta, rice, or gnocchi.

Tips & Tricks

• Because this recipe is so simple, it’s important to use high-quality ingredients to ensure that the flavors shine through. Use good quality coconut milk, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil for best results.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or some cayenne pepper to the recipe. Alternatively, if you don’t like spicy food, you can omit the Italian spice blend or reduce the amount you use.
• This dish is great for meal prep because it reheats well and can be eaten in a variety of ways. Consider making a double batch and storing the leftovers in the fridge or freezer for later.
• If you don’t have all of the ingredients on hand, you can easily substitute some of them. For example, you can use kale instead of spinach, or canned diced tomatoes instead of sun-dried tomatoes.
• This dish is versatile and can be served with a variety of sides. Some options include crusty bread, pasta, rice, or gnocchi.