Peri-Peri Chickpeas (1 pan, 30 minutes)

You’ve got to make these amazingly delicious peri-peri chickpeas! They have this incredible spicy and tangy sauce, and you top them with a fresh, crunchy salsa to contrast the rich flavors and heat. (gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free)

This is a deeply flavored, rich, and amazing dish which comes together in one pan. And you can serve the peri-peri chickpeas with the fresh, crunchy cucumber tomato salsa in a variety of ways. They work great in bowls, wraps, as a platter, or even as tostadas!

First, we make this sauce with onions, tomatoes, and peri-peri sauce. Then, we add some chickpeas and simmer them so they become these stewed chickpeas that are absolutely tender and delicious. We pair that with a simple, fresh, crunchy, zesty cucumber tomato salsa that works really well with the chickpeas.

You can adjust the heat by adjusting the peri-peri sauce in the chickpeas or by adding some cream elements, such as non-dairy yogurt or non-dairy cream to tame the heat if you like. 

Peri-peri sauce originates from the South African region, especially the Mozambique region, It is made with peri-peri chilies, or bird’s eye chilies. 

The sauce has been adapted in several countries, and there are several brands of peri-peri sauce now. It has even been adapted into an Indian peri-peri sauce, which uses similar ingredients but may include spices like garam masala or cumin. 

Use whichever peri-peri sauce you can get your hands on. If you don’t have peri-peri sauce, there is a recipe to make it in the notes.

Why You’ll Love Peri-Peri Chickpeas

• chickpeas in a rich, spicy, smoky, tomatoey sauce
• fresh, crunchy cucumber tomato salsa contrasts the flavors and textures of the stewed chickpeas
• 1-pan, 30-minute meal that you can serve in many different ways
• naturally gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free

Ingredients

• oil – To sauté. You can broth fry for an oil-free version.
• aromatics – The chickpeas get a ton of flavor from red onion and garlic along with red bell pepper, or use a scotch bonnet or bird’s eye chili, if you want even more heat.
• herbs and spices – We are seasoning the chickpeas with black pepper along with dried thyme or oregano. Or use both! You will also need fresh cilantro for the cucumber tomato salsa, and you can use extra cilantro for garnish, as well.
• tomato – There is tomato in the sauce and in the salsa.
• peri-peri sauce – This is what brings so much extra flavor and heat! If you can’t find peri-peri sauce, you can make your own in the blender. See the tips below for those directions.
• chickpeas – This is your protein. You can use fresh or canned. You can also use white beans instead, if you prefer.
• spinach – A little fresh or frozen spinach adds veggies and color to the dish.
• mini cucumbers – These have such a nice flavor and crunch in the salsa!
• lemon juice – Adds tang to the salsa.
• garnishes – No matter how you serve these peri-peri chickpeas, they’re even more delicious garnished with pepper flakes, hemp seeds or sesame seeds, and non-dairy yogurt or thick non-dairy cream. Choose nut-free and/or soy-free yogurt/cream, if needed.

How to Make Peri-Peri Chickpeas

Heat a skillet over medium heat, and add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the onion, garlic, and a good dash of salt, and cook until the onion starts to turn golden, about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the thyme, black pepper, and red bell pepper, and mix for about 1/2 minute. Then, add the tomatoes, another dash of salt, the peri-peri sauce, and tomato paste, and mix well.

Cook until the tomatoes are jammy, about 6 to 8 minutes, pressing the larger pieces and stirring occasionally.

Add the chickpeas, another dash of salt, and the water. Mix, cover with a lid, and cook for about 10 minutes or longer, so the sauce thickens, and the chickpeas absorb the flavor.

Open the lid, and fold in the spinach. Taste and adjust the flavor, adding more salt or more heat with peri-peri sauce or cayenne, if needed. If it is too spicy, add some non-dairy yogurt or non-dairy cream, mix in, bring to a boil, then switch off the heat. Garnish with cilantro, lime juice, and serve with the cucumber tomato salsa.

What to Serve with Peri-Peri Chickpeas

To make this a bowl meal, serve the peri-peri chickpeas as-is or over rice, quinoa, or a baked potato. Top with the cucumber tomato salsa. 

You can make wraps with the chickpeas by layering them into tortillas or flatbread with the salsa. Top with garnishes of choice and a creamy element, like non-dairy yogurt.

For a dip platter, spoon the chickpeas over a creamy base, like hummus or thick non-dairy yogurt, then top with the peri-peri chickpeas, salsa, more cilantro, hemp seeds or sesame seeds, and a drizzle of lime juice.

You can also make tostadas by air frying tortillas until crisp, about 6 to 7 minutes, then topping with the chickpeas, salsa, and a drizzle of non-dairy yogurt.