If you’re looking for an easy way to turn a can of chickpeas into something flavorful and satisfying, these sauteed chickpeas are the answer. They cook up quickly in a skillet with a few pantry spices, creating a dish that’s lightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

What makes this recipe special is the bold seasoning blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cumin. The warm spices combined with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice transform simple chickpeas into a versatile Mediterranean-inspired dish you can enjoy hot off the stove or chilled in a salad.

If you’ve tried my seasoned oven roasted chickpeas, you’ll love this version when you’re short on time. It delivers similar flavor in about half the time. Whether you need a fast side dish, a protein-rich topping for bowls, or a flavorful snack, these skillet chickpeas are ready in minutes and guaranteed to impress with minimal effort.

Ingredient info: gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, vegan

Bowl of pan fried chickpeas with a lemon wedge with a bowl of salad in the background.

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Ingredients

Jars of garlic powder, smoked paprika, and ground cumin, salt and pepper shakers, a lemon, a can of chickpeas, and a bottle of olive oil.

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete ingredients, measurements, and instructions.

How to make sauteed chickpeas

Mixing bowl with chickpeas and seasonings and a skillet with the sauted seasoned chickpeas.

Place the chickpeas in a mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil, then add the garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until every chickpea is coated with the spice mixture.
Add the chickpeas to a heated skillet and cook, giving them a stir now and then, until they take on a light crispness and are warmed through. To finish, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the chickpeas right before serving. They’re delicious hot from the pan, but just as tasty once they’ve cooled.

Serving suggestions

Salads with lettuce, green olives, red onion, and chickpeas with bowl of pan fried chickpeas in the background.

These skillet chickpeas are incredibly versatile. Try them in different ways:

Toss into a green salad with sliced red onions, tangy green olives, and creamy avocado dressing, like in the photo above
Serve alongside cubed roasted sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli
Pile into pita pockets with classic homemade hummus and fresh veggies

However you enjoy them, these pan-fried chickpeas add smoky, garlicky flavor to any meal.

Made this recipe? Have a question? Please leave a comment below. 💙 And for even more recipes, join my email list for community, inspiration & to chat directly with me!

Love and Veggies,

Amy

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Ingredients

How to make sauteed chickpeas

Serving suggestions

📋 Recipe