Chickpea Orzo Recipe (Healthy One-Skillet Dinner) Recipe
A healthy and hearty one-skillet Chickpea Orzo recipe featuring sautéed vegetables, flavorful tomato paste, chickpeas, and tender orzo pasta, perfect for a quick and nutritious dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 – 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped into discs
- 3 packed cups kale, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
Herbs & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon rosemary (or dried oregano)
- ¾ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Red pepper flakes (to taste)
Other Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cans chickpeas (15 oz / 400 g each can—drained and rinsed) or 3 cups / 460 g cooked chickpeas
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup orzo pasta (or ditalini)
- 1 handful grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving) or a squeeze of lemon (for serving)
Instructions
- Sauté the vegetables: Heat 1 – 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, sliced carrots, and chopped kale with a pinch of salt. Cook for about 4 minutes until the onion softens and the kale wilts.
- Build flavor: Stir in the grated garlic, rosemary (or dried oregano), and tomato paste. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring often, until the mixture becomes fragrant and rich in color.
- Add chickpeas and simmer: Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas, vegetable broth, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well, cover the skillet, and bring to a gentle boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Cook the orzo: Add the orzo pasta to the skillet and, if necessary, add 1 to 2 cups more broth to ensure the pasta has enough liquid. Simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes, stirring often, until the orzo is almost tender. Turn off the heat just before the orzo is fully cooked—it will finish cooking as you serve.
- Taste and serve: Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve with an optional drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute dried oregano for rosemary if preferred.
- Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian dish or chicken broth for a non-vegetarian variation.
- Add more broth during orzo cooking step if the mixture looks dry to prevent sticking.
- For a vegan version, skip the Parmesan cheese and use lemon juice or nutritional yeast as a topping.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Chickpea orzo, healthy one skillet meal, vegetarian dinner, easy chickpea recipe, quick stovetop dinner, Mediterranean chickpea dish
