These spicy chickpea tacos are a delightful twist on traditional tacos, offering a burst of flavor with every bite. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend meal, they are both satisfying and easy to make. Packed with protein and fresh veggies, these tacos are sure to become a favorite in your household.
If you don't typically stock chickpeas in your pantry, you might need to pick up a can from the supermarket. Additionally, fresh cilantro and avocado are essential for this recipe but may not always be on hand. Make sure to grab these fresh ingredients to ensure your tacos are bursting with flavor.
Ingredients For Spicy Chickpea Tacos
Chickpeas: These legumes are the star of the dish, providing a hearty and protein-rich base.
Olive oil: Used for cooking the chickpeas, adding a subtle richness.
Chili powder: Adds a spicy kick to the chickpeas.
Cumin: Provides a warm, earthy flavor that complements the chili powder.
Garlic powder: Enhances the overall flavor with a hint of garlic.
Onion powder: Adds a mild onion flavor to the chickpeas.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the dish.
Tortillas: The base for your tacos, holding all the delicious fillings.
Lettuce: Adds a fresh, crunchy texture to the tacos.
Tomatoes: Provide a juicy, tangy element to balance the spices.
Avocado: Adds a creamy texture and rich flavor.
Cilantro: Offers a fresh, herbaceous note to finish the tacos.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When cooking the chickpeas, make sure to spread them out evenly in the skillet to ensure they become crispy and not just heated through. Stirring occasionally allows for even cooking and prevents burning. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a squeeze of lime juice towards the end of the cooking process.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Chickpeas - Substitute with black beans: Black beans have a similar texture and protein content, making them a great alternative.
Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, suitable for cooking.
Chili powder - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a similar heat level, though use less as it is spicier.
Cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Ground coriander offers a warm, earthy flavor that complements the spices.
Garlic powder - Substitute with fresh minced garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides a more robust and aromatic garlic flavor.
Onion powder - Substitute with finely chopped onions: Finely chopped onions give a fresh and slightly sweet onion taste.
Salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a savory umami flavor along with saltiness.
Tortillas - Substitute with lettuce wraps: Lettuce wraps are a low-carb, gluten-free alternative to tortillas.
Shredded lettuce - Substitute with shredded cabbage: Shredded cabbage provides a crunchy texture and is more nutrient-dense.
Diced tomatoes - Substitute with salsa: Salsa adds a tangy and spicy flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
Sliced avocado - Substitute with guacamole: Guacamole offers a creamy texture with added flavors from lime and spices.
Chopped cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley has a fresh, slightly peppery taste that can replace cilantro.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This One
How to Store or Freeze These Tacos
- Allow the chickpeas to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make them soggy.
- Transfer the cooled chickpeas to an airtight container. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For longer storage, place the chickpeas in a freezer-safe container or a resealable freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- When ready to use, thaw the chickpeas in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat them in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through and slightly crispy.
- Store tortillas separately in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months.
- To freeze tortillas, place a piece of parchment paper between each one to prevent sticking. Store them in a resealable freezer bag.
- Lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro should be stored separately in the refrigerator. Keep lettuce and cilantro in a produce bag or airtight container with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
- Tomatoes can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Avocado should be stored with the pit to prevent browning and can be kept for up to 2 days.
- Assemble the tacos just before serving to maintain the freshness and texture of each ingredient.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of olive oil to the pan.
- Place the leftover chickpeas in the skillet and stir occasionally until they are warmed through and slightly crispy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Warm the tortillas in a separate pan for about 30 seconds on each side.
- Reassemble the tacos with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro.
Microwave Method:
- Place the chickpeas in a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel.
- Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Warm the tortillas by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 20-30 seconds.
- Reassemble the tacos with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro.
Oven Method:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the chickpeas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until they are heated and slightly crispy.
- Wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil and place them in the oven for the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Reassemble the tacos with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the chickpeas in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Warm the tortillas in the air fryer for the last 1-2 minutes.
- Reassemble the tacos with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used for cooking the chickpeas with spices to achieve a slightly crispy texture.
Spatula: A tool for stirring and combining the chickpeas with the spices in the skillet.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt accurately.
Can opener: Necessary for opening the can of chickpeas.
Colander: Used for draining and rinsing the chickpeas before cooking.
Knife: Essential for dicing the tomatoes, slicing the avocado, and chopping the cilantro.
Cutting board: A surface for safely cutting the vegetables and herbs.
Microwave: An optional tool for warming the tortillas quickly.
Pan: An alternative to the microwave for warming the tortillas on the stovetop.
Tongs: Useful for handling the tortillas when warming them in the pan.
Serving platter: A dish to assemble and present the tacos before serving.
How to Save Time on Making These Tacos
Prepare ingredients in advance: Drain and rinse the chickpeas ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
Use pre-shredded lettuce: Save time by buying shredded lettuce from the store.
Microwave tortillas: Warm the tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds instead of using a pan.
Pre-dice vegetables: Dice the tomatoes and slice the avocado the night before.
Batch cook chickpeas: Cook a large batch of chickpeas and store them for multiple meals.
Spicy Chickpea Tacos
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 can Chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 8 small Tortillas
- 1 cup Shredded Lettuce
- 1 cup Diced Tomatoes
- ½ cup Sliced Avocado
- ¼ cup Chopped Cilantro
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add chickpeas, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chickpeas are slightly crispy.
- Warm tortillas in a separate pan or microwave.
- Assemble tacos by adding chickpeas, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro to each tortilla.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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