Delicious Harissa Chickpea Stew

Featured in Flavorful Vegetarian Meals.

Prepare this 20-minute stew featuring chickpeas, harissa, and roasted tomatoes. The mix of spicy and cooling yogurt sauce makes it a hearty and satisfying vegetarian choice for quick weeknight meals.
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Updated on Mon, 24 Feb 2025 16:56:32 GMT
A vibrant bowl of chickpea stew topped with yogurt and herbs. Pin it
A vibrant bowl of chickpea stew topped with yogurt and herbs. | cuisinegenial.com

This hearty North African chickpea stew combines aromatic harissa with sweet blistered tomatoes and tender chickpeas for a comforting one-pot meal. Taking just 25 minutes to prepare, it's an ideal choice for busy evenings when you want robust flavor without lengthy cooking. The dish delivers complex taste that belies its quick preparation time.

The magic of this dish lies in the interplay between the spiced harissa and cooling yogurt garnish. When served, the contrast creates an exciting temperature and flavor balance that elevates the entire meal.

Key Ingredients Guide

  • Premium Chickpeas - Select large, tender varieties with their cooking liquid for best results
  • Harissa Paste - Choose authentic brands, adjusting amount based on heat level
  • Cherry Tomatoes - Pick ripe, firm tomatoes for optimal blistering
  • Greek Yogurt - Whole milk variety provides the best cooling effect
  • Fresh Dill - Adds bright herbal notes to the yogurt topping

The dish develops its signature sauce when the blistered tomatoes break down and merge with the chickpea liquid and harissa, creating a perfectly balanced stew base.

Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare Tomatoes
Heat oil in pan over high heat. Cook tomatoes 5-6 minutes until blistered and slightly charred.
Step 2: Cook Aromatics
Reduce heat, add garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
Step 3: Build the Stew
Add chickpeas with liquid, simmer until reduced by half.
Step 4: Season with Harissa
Remove from heat, stir in harissa, then warm gently to combine flavors.
Step 5: Mix Yogurt Topping
Combine garlic, lemon zest, dill, capers and yogurt.
Step 6: Check Seasoning
Taste and adjust salt level as needed.
Step 7: Final Assembly
Serve hot with yogurt topping and warm bread.
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A bowl of soup with tomatoes, beans, and herbs. | cuisinegenial.com

Perfect Weeknight Solution

This stew turns basic pantry ingredients into a satisfying meal, even on the busiest evenings. The enticing aroma of sizzling spices and tomatoes transforms the cooking experience, making it an enjoyable process rather than a chore. It's the ideal solution for creating a nourishing dinner with minimal effort.

Traditional Origins

Harissa originated in Tunisia as a blend of chilies, garlic, olive oil, and warming spices. This stew honors those traditional flavors while adapting them for the modern kitchen. Each region's unique harissa variation tells a story of local tastes and ingredients, making this dish a celebration of North African culinary heritage.

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Eco-Friendly Option

This plant-based stew offers environmental benefits alongside its satisfying flavors. Chickpeas provide sustainable protein while requiring minimal resources to produce. The streamlined ingredient list helps reduce food waste, as components can be used across multiple recipes throughout the week.

Professional Tips

  • Use quality harissa for best flavor impact
  • Toast spices before adding liquid
  • Don't rush the tomato blistering
  • Keep yogurt cold until serving
  • Season in layers while cooking

The combination of spicy stew and cooling yogurt creates an addictive contrast that makes this recipe a reliable favorite. It's a testament to how simple ingredients can create exceptional results.

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Serving Suggestions

  • Make extra for next-day lunches
  • Serve with couscous or quinoa
  • Start with less harissa and adjust to taste
  • Add toasted nuts for crunch
  • Include grilled protein if desired

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What exactly is harissa?
It's a chili-based paste from North Africa made with roasted peppers and spices.
→ Is this recipe vegan-friendly?
It can be! Substitute the yogurt with a plant-based alternative.
→ How much heat does this stew have?
It's moderately spicy, but you can add more or less harissa to match your preference.
→ Can regular canned chickpeas be used?
Absolutely, they're fine, though premium chickpeas give a better bite.
→ What are good side options for it?
Couscous, flatbread, or rice are great pairings.

Harissa Chickpea Dish

A cozy chickpea and tomato dish with harissa flavors, served with yogurt and herbs.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Vegetarian

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: North African

Yield: 2 Servings (2 servings)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Stew

01 A couple of tablespoons of olive oil
02 250g of baby plum or cherry tomatoes
03 Two garlic cloves, thinly sliced
04 One jar of Queen Chickpeas, including the liquid
05 Two tablespoons of harissa paste

→ Herby Yogurt

06 Two grated garlic cloves
07 The zest of a lemon
08 15g of fresh dill, chopped up finely
09 Three teaspoons of drained capers
10 250g of Greek yogurt or a plant-based option

→ To Serve

11 Couscous
12 Warm flatbreads

Instructions

Step 01

Pour the olive oil into a non-stick pan and heat it up on high. Toss in the tomatoes and let them cook for about 5-6 minutes, until their skins blister and they get a little charred. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute or two.

Step 02

Tip in the chickpeas along with their liquid, then reduce them down by half. Once done, remove from the heat and stir in the harissa before letting it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.

Step 03

Combine all the ingredients for the herby yogurt in a bowl. Add salt or pepper to taste.

Step 04

Scoop the chickpeas into serving bowls and finish by spooning over the herby yogurt. Enjoy alongside warm flatbreads.

Notes

  1. You can swap Greek yogurt for a vegan-friendly one
  2. The chickpeas already have some seasoning

Tools You'll Need

  • A non-stick frying pan
  • A mixing bowl

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy if you use regular Greek yogurt

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~