Lemon-Herb Halloumi & Chickpea Skillet with Wilted Spinach
Vegetarian • Gluten-FreeUnder 30 MinsHigh Protein • BalancedOne-PotDinner • LunchMediterranean
Easy
20mins
420 kcal
2 servings
MACROS
per serving※gProtein
◆gFat
▣gCarbs
◎gSugar
◇gFiber
Want to see the exact Macros for this meal? Download the Kitchen Buddy app and unlock full nutritional insights!
A healthy, diet-friendly one-pan Mediterranean meal packed with protein, fiber-rich legumes, and fresh herbs.
Welcome to your new favorite weeknight dinner: this Lemon-Herb Halloumi & Chickpea Skillet with Wilted Spinach. When you are looking for healthy, diet-friendly ideas that do not sacrifice flavor, Mediterranean-inspired meals are the absolute perfect solution. This Lemon-Herb Halloumi & Chickpea Skillet with Wilted Spinach is a nutrient-dense, one-pan wonder that makes the absolute most of your fresh produce before it goes bad in the fridge.
We start by pan-frying golden cubes of halloumi, a uniquely firm Mediterranean cheese that boasts a deliciously salty profile and a satisfying, hearty texture without melting away in the pan. Once the cheese is beautifully crisp, the skillet catches all those savory browned bits, creating a deeply flavorful base for your fresh cherry tomatoes and high-fiber chickpeas. These legumes are a fantastic pantry staple for diet-friendly cooking, keeping you full and energized while keeping the overall carbohydrate impact beautifully balanced.
The true magic of this Lemon-Herb Halloumi & Chickpea Skillet with Wilted Spinach lies in its vibrant, fresh finish. By folding in loads of your highly perishable spinach, aromatic fresh dill, and earthy fresh thyme, you instantly elevate the dish into a garden-fresh masterpiece. The greens wilt down in seconds, soaking up the natural juices from the bursting tomatoes. A final, generous squeeze of bright lemon juice ties everything together, cutting through the richness of the cheese and pan drippings. This is a wonderfully balanced, vegetarian, and gluten-free recipe that takes under twenty minutes from skillet to plate!
Ingredients
- 150 g Halloumi Cheese (about 1 cup cubed)
- 200 g Canned Chickpeas (about 1 cup rinsed)
- 150 g Cherry Tomatoes (about 1 cup)
- 100 g Spinach (about 4 cups loosely packed)
- 2 count Spring Onion
- 2 count Garlic (cloves)
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 0.5 count Lemon (half a lemon, juiced)
- 1 tbsp Fresh Dill
- 1 tbsp Fresh Thyme
- 0.5 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- 1Slice the halloumi cheese into bite-sized cubes. Thinly slice the spring onion and mince the garlic.
- 2Heat a skillet over medium heat and add half of the olive oil. Add the halloumi cheese cubes and pan-fry until golden brown on all sides, then remove them from the pan and set aside.
- 3In the same pan, add the remaining olive oil, spring onion, and garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until beautifully fragrant.
- 4Stir in the cherry tomatoes and canned chickpeas, letting them blister and warm through for about 5 minutes.
- 5Toss the spinach, fresh dill, and fresh thyme into the skillet, stirring gently until the spinach is completely wilted.
- 6Return the golden halloumi cheese to the pan. Squeeze the juice from the lemon over the top and season with black pepper. Serve immediately while warm!
Chef's Tips
- •To get the best crust on your halloumi, make sure your pan is nicely heated before adding the cheese, and don't move the cubes around too much until they naturally release from the pan.
- •If you want a slight kick of heat, you can add a pinch of chili flakes along with the garlic.
K
Recipe By
Kitchen Buddy Chef