Spanish rice with chickpeas and spinach

Cozy Spanish rice with chickpeas and spinach for gentle, fiber-rich digestion.

High Fiber Protein Rich Digestion Friendly
88%

General Gut Health Match

This score is based on all ingredients included in the food recipe and provides a match score for the general population which is not personalized to your personal profile or gut microbiome test.

Your Microbiome Match

Connect your microbiome test results to see how this recipe matches your personal gut profile.

Microbiome match
🔐
Unlock your personal microbiome match

Log in or create an account to connect your test results and personalize recipe recommendations.

Recipe description

Cozy, one-pan Spanish rice with chickpeas and spinach blends comforting flavors with everyday nourishment. The dish leans on fiber-rich chickpeas and leafy greens to support gentle digestion and nourish beneficial gut microbes, while rice provides steady energy. It highlights plant diversity and polyphenols from spinach, helping to round out a varied, gut-friendly plate. This simple, adaptable meal fits into a balanced weekly routine and pairs well with a small side of fermented foods if you like. A wholesome option for meal-prep dinners and busy weeknights.

July 13, 2026
Spanish rice with chickpeas and spinach
Prep 15 min Cook 35 min Medium

Alignment with Your Personal Profile

Create a free account to see how well this recipe aligns with your diets, allergies, intolerances and selected health topics.

--
Overall
🔒
Unlock your personal recipe match

Create a free account and complete a short profile to replace these placeholders with your personal recipe scores.

✓ Save diets and preferences ✓ Check allergies and intolerances ✓ Match recipes to gut goals ✓ Save better recipe recommendations
Takes about 2 minutes.
2-minute self-check Is a gut microbiome test useful for you? Answer a few quick questions and find out if a microbiome test is actually useful for you. ✔ Takes 2 minutes ✔ Based on your symptoms & lifestyle ✔ Clear yes/no recommendation Check if a test is right for me

Why this recipe fits you

  • Rich in fiber from chickpeas, brown rice, and spinach.
  • Includes diverse plant ingredients with polyphenols from spinach and spices.
  • Balanced plant-based protein, healthy fats from olive oil, and slow-release carbohydrates.

Gut Health Score

🌿 Fiber diversity
85
🍇 Polyphenol density
75
🧬 Diversity support
80
🛡️ Inflammation support
82
🫧 Fermentation support
20
⚖️ Blood sugar stability
78

Ingredients

Rice, brown
1 cup
Rice, brown
Chickpea
1 cup
Chickpea
Spinach
2 cup
Spinach
Onion
1 piece
Onion
Garlic
2 clove
Garlic
Oil, olive
2 tablespoon
Oil, olive
Tomato, paste
1 tablespoon
Tomato, paste
Paprika powder
1 teaspoon
Paprika powder
Seed, cumin
0.5 teaspoon
Seed, cumin
Salt
0.5 teaspoon
Salt
Black pepper
0.25 teaspoon
Black pepper
Vegetable broth
2 cup
Vegetable broth

Instructions

1

Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves.

2

Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

3

Add tomato paste, paprika, and cumin to the pan. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

4

Add brown rice to the pan and stir to coat with the spice mixture. Cook for 1 minute.

5

Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.

6

Add chickpeas and continue cooking for another 10 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

7

Stir in spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted.

8

Season with salt and black pepper. Serve warm.

Nutrition

640 kcal Calories
14 g Protein
85 g Carbohydrates
15 g Fiber
6 g Sugar
15 g Fat
4 g Saturated fat
1.5 g Salt

FAQ

Is this dish vegetarian/vegan?
Yes—it's vegetarian and can be vegan if you use vegan broth; just check the ingredient labels.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes. Choose a gluten-free vegetable broth and check labels on tomato paste and spices; most ingredients are gluten-free, but verify.
Can I substitute spinach with another leafy green?
Yes—kale or Swiss chard work; adjust cooking time as needed.
How long does it take to cook from start to finish?
About 30-35 minutes total (20 minutes simmer, 10 more, then 2-3 minutes with the spinach).
How should I store leftovers?
Cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days; reheat gently.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, but the rice texture may change; freeze after cooking and use within 2-3 months; thaw and reheat.
How can I adjust the spice level?
Increase paprika and cumin for more heat, or reduce for milder flavor; smoked paprika adds a smoky note.
Can I use white rice instead of brown rice?
Yes, but white rice cooks faster; reduce the broth and cooking time accordingly.
What are the main nutritional benefits?
High fiber from chickpeas and brown rice; iron from spinach; polyphenols; supports a gut-friendly, plant-based diet.

Your Gut Has a Story. Read It — Then Fix Potential Problems

Full microbiome sequencing + Gut Health Index. Metabolic pathways, diversity, keystone species. Personalized plans available (diet, supplements, diary, recipes). EU lab + Maastricht University spin-off + GDPR-safe.

Start My Gut Test