Creamy peanut sauce is combined with chickpeas, black pepper broccoli and rice for a healthy and flavorful meal that takes under 30 minutes to make!
Recipe features
- Diet-friendly: vegetarian, vegan, gluten and soy-free optional (just use tamari in place of soy sauce)
- Quick & easy: ready in just 20 minutes using mostly pantry staples
- Great for weeknight meals or meal prep
- Balanced with healthy ingredients like black pepper broccoli and chickpeas
This recipe was born out of a desire to make my peanut sauce tofu recipe when I didn't have any tofu on hand. These bowls definitely fall into the "buddha bowl" category because they are a balanced combination of grain, protein, veggie and sauce.
Ingredients
Chickpeas are an easy and healthy protein source and when paired with peanut sauce they are simply delicious.
White rice is my grain of choice, but brown rice, quinoa, etc. would work well here.
The sauce is made up of a few aromatic ingredients like ginger and garlic combined with the creaminess of coconut milk and creamy peanut butter. You can use reduced or full fat coconut milk.
Soy sauce can be replaced with tamari to make this recipe gluten-free and soy-free. I use reduced sodium soy sauce to limit added salt.
I use "natural" peanut butter because that's what I keep on hand, but any creamy peanut butter should work. Crunchy can even work in a pinch.
Broccoli: I use frozen broccoli florets because they are already par-cooked. This makes them cook very quickly in a hot pan.
Recipe FAQ
- Customization ideas: This recipe can easily be customized using whatever grain or bean you have on hand. Try the peanut sauce white black-eyed peas, white beans or even kidney beans.
- Make it spicier by adding one teaspoon red pepper flakes or by doubling the sriracha.
- Ginger and garlic: You can use ½ teaspoon dry ginger or garlic powder in place of fresh. Just skip the sautéing step and add all ingredients to the pot at once.
Yes! I use frozen broccoli in place of fresh because it's easy to keep a bag on hand for last minute meals like this.
If using fresh broccoli you will first need to steam it using your preferred method. It should be fork-tender and able to stand another 4 minutes of sautéing in a hot cast iron pan.
Almond butter would probably be the best substitute for peanut butter. The flavor will be slightly different but should still taste great.
For best quality, enjoy leftovers within 3-4 days. Keep refrigerated in a closed container. You can reheat any leftovers in the microwave or reheat separate components on the stove.
Looking for more vegetarian bowls?
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Peanut Sauce Chickpea and Broccoli Bowls
Ingredients
- 2 cans (15-16 ounces) chickpeas drained and rinsed (about 3 cups chickpeas)
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon peanut oil, divided can also use olive or canola oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic see note #1
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 can (14 ounces) lite coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce preferably reduced sodium
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 16 ounces frozen broccoli cooked according to package instructions (see note 2)
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 2 cups cooked white rice for serving
- fresh chopped cilantro for serving
- 5 lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Heat 1 teaspoon peanut oil in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Once hot, add ginger and garlic. Saute until lightly browned and aromatic, about 1 minute.
- Add the peanut butter, lite coconut milk, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha. Whisk to combine.
- Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce to simmer over low, whisking occasionally to prevent sticking. Once thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon without sliding off, add the two cans of drained chickpeas. Stir to coat. Let simmer while you prepare the broccoli.
- To make the broccoli, heat a large cast iron pan (or other large skillet) over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1 tablespoon peanut oil. Add steamed broccoli and black peppercorns to the hot oil. Allow broccoli to cook for 2 minutes on each side, or until browned. Sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt and ample black pepper after cooking.
- Assemble rice, chickpeas and broccoli in individual bowls. Top with a squeeze of lime juice, cilantro and black pepper to taste.
Notes
- Ginger and garlic: You can use ½ teaspoon dry ginger or garlic powder in place of fresh. Just skip the sautéing step and add all ingredients to the pot at once.
- Broccoli: I use frozen bags of broccoli florets because they are easy to keep on hand. You can the same amount of use steamed fresh broccoli if you prefer.
- Leftovers: For best quality, enjoy leftovers within 3-4 days. Keep refrigerated in a closed container. You can reheat any leftovers in the microwave or reheat separate components on the stove.
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