Smoky Spiced Chickpeas with Honey-Roasted Chicken & Mint Chimichurri

Smoky chickpeas topped with sticky honey roasted chicken and a bright herby salsa verde. It is one of those easy feel good dinners made with simple ingredients but full of flavour. Cosy, fresh, and perfect for a midweek meal or a slow evening at home.

SERVES: 3-4

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INGREDIENTS:

Smoky chickpeas

• 250g jar or tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 1 red onion, finely diced

• 2 large garlic cloves, minced

• 1 red chilli, finely chopped (adjust to taste)

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 200g tin chopped tomatoes

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp turmeric

• 1 tsp sumac

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• Salt and black pepper

Honey-roasted chicken

• 4 chicken thighs

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp turmeric

• 1 tbsp honey

• Salt and black pepper

Salsa verde

• Large handful fresh parsley, finely chopped

• Small handful fresh mint, finely chopped

• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped

• ½ red chilli, finely chopped

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

• Salt

METHOD:

1. Marinate the chicken

In a bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic, paprika, turmeric, honey, salt, and pepper.Coat the chicken thighs well and leave to marinate for at least 20 minutes, or longer if you have time.

2. Roast the chicken

Preheat the oven to 180°C fan. Place the chicken on a tray and roast for 30–35 minutes, until golden, sticky, and cooked through.

3. Cook the chickpeas

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a pan over medium heat.Add the red onion and cook for 5–7 minutes until soft.

Stir in the garlic and chilli and cook for another minute.Add the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavour.

Add the paprika, turmeric, sumac, and oregano, then stir to coat everything.Pour in the chopped tomatoes and chickpeas, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 10–15 minutes until thickened.

4. Make the salsa verde

Finely chop the parsley, mint, garlic, and chilli.Mix with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust if needed.

5. Bring it together

Spoon the chickpeas onto plates, top with the roasted chicken, and finish with a generous spoon of salsa verde, and I add some greek yogurt too!