Weeknight Dinners
Lemon Chickpea Rice Skillet
Fluffy rice, chickpeas, and a bright lemon finish in a simple covered skillet.
A tin of chickpeas and a cup of rice can make a proper dinner with very little fuss. Here, onion and cumin give the rice warmth, while lemon keeps the finished dish from feeling heavy. A spoonful of plain yogurt alongside is optional but welcome.
Use a skillet with a close-fitting lid. Once the rice begins cooking, leave it covered so the steam can do its work. If you lift the lid repeatedly, you will lose the moisture that the rice needs.
THE RECIPE
Lemon Chickpea Rice Skillet
Amounts scale automatically. Keep piece sizes similar; pan size and cooking time may need adjustment. Round whole ingredients sensibly.
Ingredients
Canned bean and chickpea amounts refer to the can label weight before draining.
Method
Rinse the rice
Rinse the rice in a fine sieve under cool water until the runoff is less cloudy. Drain well. This removes loose surface starch and helps the grains stay separate.
Start the vegetables
Heat oil over medium heat in a lidded skillet. Cook onion and carrot for 6 minutes. Add garlic and cumin and stir for 30 seconds.
Simmer gently
Add rice, chickpeas, stock, and salt. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce to low. Cook for 15–18 minutes, or according to the rice packet, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Rest and brighten
Take off the heat and leave covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then fold in lemon juice, zest, and parsley. Taste before adding more salt.
Small details that help
Keep the carrot small
Small dice become tender within the rice cooking time. Large chunks may still be firm.
If the rice is still firm
Add 2 tablespoons of hot water, cover, and cook on low for another 3–5 minutes.
Handle leftovers promptly
Spread leftovers in a shallow container and refrigerate promptly. Do not leave cooked rice sitting out on the counter to cool for hours.
Substitutions & ways to make it yours
Different rice
Brown rice needs more liquid and a longer cooking time. Use its packet instructions rather than the timing here.
No parsley
Use dill, coriander, or a little extra lemon zest.
Extra vegetables
Add a handful of frozen peas during the last 5 minutes, keeping the lid opening brief.
A couple of useful questions
Can I use dried chickpeas?
Use chickpeas that have already been cooked until tender. Raw dried chickpeas cannot cook through in the rice timing.
Is this enough for dinner?
It makes four modest portions. Add yogurt, a salad, or roasted vegetables if you want a larger meal.
