Spiced Lemon Chicken with Chickpeas and Green Beans

A quick one-pot chicken dish with warming spices, preserved lemon, and chickpeas. Ready in just 15 minutes with tender green beans and fragrant coriander.

By Ricky Robinson Updated February 23, 2023

This is proper midweek cooking. One pot, minimal fuss, and dinner on the table in about 15 minutes.

The preserved lemon is what makes this dish. It brings a sharp, salty brightness that cuts through the warmth of the cinnamon and cumin, giving the whole thing a lift without being overpowering. The chickpeas absorb the spices and stock beautifully, turning soft and flavourful, while the chicken stays tender from the quick cooking time.

The green beans steam on top of everything else, so they keep a bit of bite and add a fresh contrast to the rich, spiced base.
Spiced Lemon Chicken with Chickpeas and Green Beans recipe image
Spiced Lemon Chicken with Chickpeas and Green Beans

You can swap the green beans for whatever vegetables you have lying about. Courgettes, peppers, or even frozen peas work well here. The spice blend is quite forgiving too, so if you prefer more heat, a pinch of chilli flakes or cayenne wouldn't go amiss.

Serve this with rice or couscous to soak up the sauce. Fluffy basmati rice is ideal, but even plain white rice does the job. If you're after something lighter, flatbreads work nicely for scooping everything up. The fresh coriander at the end isn't just for show. It adds a herbal freshness that balances the earthy spices and ties the whole dish together. Don't skip it if you can help it.

Spiced Lemon Chicken with Chickpeas and Green Beans

Total Time 20 min
Servings 4 servings
Calories 385 cal
Protein 45g

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Knife
  • Large Pot
  • Chopping Board

Instructions

  1. 1
    Heat the oil in a large pot, then cook the onion for 5 minutes. Turn up the heat and add the chicken, then cook until it begins to brown, which should take around 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
  2. 2
    Next stir in the cinnamon, ground coriander and preserved lemon, cook for one more minute, then add the chickpeas along with the water from the tin and a stock cube. Put the lid on and simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. 3
    Add the green beans on top, but don't stir at this stage. Cover and allow the beans to steam for about 2 minutes, then stir everything together. You still want a little bite to the beans.
  4. 4
    Season to taste, garnish with coriander and serve with rice or couscous.
Ricky Robinson - Recipe Author
Ricky Robinson

Home cook sharing delicious recipes with a focus on flavour and simplicity.

Storage

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the hob with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with fluffy basmati rice or couscous to soak up the sauce, or with warm flatbreads for scooping.

Spiced Lemon Chicken with Chickpeas and Green Beans recipe image

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