These tangy cilantro-lime chickpeas are the perfect accompaniment to taco night, and they’re easy as anything to make.
I’m always in pursuit of how to make taco night exciting, whether it’s with a comforting pot of black beans and rice or a spicy salad. These cilantro lime chickpeas ended up being the star of the show, with my husband mashing them up and piling them into tortillas for a chickpea and guacamole taco. I mean, why not? They’re tangy, zippy, and take about 20 minutes to make from start-to-finish.
The best part? You need just a few ingredients, including:
- Chickpeas: I used canned for a quick, weeknight side dish.
- Red onion: You can use a small yellow onion or a shallot.
- Spices: I used chili powder and cumin.
- Cilantro and lime: Finish the chickpeas with a handful of freshly minced cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
How to make these cilantro lime chickpeas:
These chickpeas are such a breeze, they hardly need an introduction or a recipe.
First, heat up some oil in a small pot. Add the onion and cook for a few minutes until it softens. Add in the chili powder and cumin and let them bloom in the hot oil for a minute or so. From there, add the chickpeas and season with salt. Simmer them for 10 minutes or until just warm.
Finish the chickpeas with fresh cilantro and lime juice, and you’re done! I told you it was easy, (chick)peasy.
Cilantro Lime Chickpeas
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1 small red onion, peeled and diced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 15- ounce cans chickpeas, drained
- ½ cup loosely packed cilantro, minced
- 1 lime, juiced
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
Cook the onion:
- Heat the oil in a small pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the red onion and cook for 5 minutes until it softens.
Bloom the spices:
- Add the chili powder and cumin to the onion and cook for 1 minute, stirring often, until fragrant.
Simmer the chickpeas:
- Add the chickpeas and season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
Finish the chickpeas:
- Stir in the cilantro and lime juice and simmer for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Turn off the heat.
To serve:
- Serve as a side dish to tacos or on top of cooked rice for a complete meal. Enjoy!
