Mediterranean Chickpea & Artichoke Paella

Mediterranean Chickpea & Artichoke Paella

Mia

This vibrant vegetarian paella brings the essence of Spain's Mediterranean coast to your table without the traditional seafood. Inspired by the classic Valencian dish, this plant-based version showcases the golden hues of saffron-infused rice paired with protein-rich chickpeas, tender artichoke hearts, and sweet green peas. The result is a stunning one-pan meal that captures all the aromatic complexity and visual beauty of traditional paella while adhering perfectly to Mediterranean Diet principles.

What makes this dish truly special is the socarrat—the coveted crispy, caramelized rice crust that forms at the bottom of the pan. This textural contrast, combined with the earthy chickpeas, tangy artichokes, and the unmistakable floral notes of saffron, creates layers of flavor that satisfy even the most devoted paella enthusiasts. The addition of smoked paprika, garlic, and a splash of white wine builds a rich, savory base that proves vegetarian dishes can be just as complex and satisfying as their meat-based counterparts.

Perfect for entertaining or a special weeknight dinner, this paella comes together in about 45 minutes and requires minimal cleanup thanks to its one-pan preparation. The dish is naturally packed with fiber, plant-based protein, and heart-healthy olive oil—all cornerstones of the Mediterranean Diet. Serve it family-style directly from the pan with lemon wedges and fresh parsley for an authentic Spanish experience that brings people together around the table.

Nutrition

50 minutes
None servings
325 calories
Fat 8.00g
Carbs 52.00g
Protein 10.00g

Ingredients

3 tbspextra virgin olive oil
1 mediumyellow onion, diced
1 largered bell pepper, diced
4 clovesgarlic, minced
1.5 cupsSpanish paella rice or Arborio rice
1 tspsmoked paprika
1/4 tspsaffron threads, crushed
1 14.5-oz candiced tomatoes, drained
1/2 cupdry white wine
3 cupsvegetable broth, warm
1 15-oz canchickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 14-oz canartichoke hearts, drained and quartered
1 cupfrozen green peas
1 tspsalt
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1 largelemon, cut into wedges
1/4 cupfresh parsley, chopped
1 leafbay leaf (optional)

Equipment

wooden spoon or spatula
can opener
measuring cups and spoons
knife and cutting board
large paella pan or wide skillet (12-14 inches)
small bowl for crushing saffron
kitchen towel or aluminum foil

16:8 Diet

This nutrient-dense paella is ideal for the 16:8 eating window, providing sustained energy from complex carbohydrates, plant-based protein from chickpeas, and healthy fats from olive oil. The balanced macronutrients and high fiber content help maintain satiety during the fasting period.

80/20 Diet

This paella fits the 80/20 Diet perfectly with over 80% of its ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods including vegetables, legumes, whole grain rice, and olive oil. The recipe emphasizes anti-inflammatory, fiber-rich ingredients while avoiding processed foods and refined ingredients.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This paella features anti-inflammatory ingredients including extra virgin olive oil, colorful vegetables, legumes, and anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric-like saffron and garlic. The recipe avoids processed foods, refined ingredients, and inflammatory fats while emphasizing whole, plant-based foods rich in antioxidants.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with its use of whole, minimally processed ingredients including fresh vegetables, canned legumes without additives, whole grain rice, and extra virgin olive oil. Every ingredient is recognizable in its natural form with no artificial additives, preservatives, or refined ingredients.

Daniel Fast

This paella is completely Daniel Fast-compliant, using only whole plant-based ingredients including vegetables, legumes (chickpeas and peas), whole grain rice, and olive oil. The recipe contains no animal products, refined sugars, leavened bread, or processed ingredients, making it perfect for this spiritual fast.

DASH Diet

This recipe aligns with DASH Diet principles by emphasizing vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based protein while using minimal added sodium. The chickpeas and vegetables provide potassium, magnesium, and fiber, while herbs, spices, and saffron deliver flavor without relying on salt.

Diabetic Diet

This paella supports diabetic meal planning with its low glycemic index ingredients including legumes, non-starchy vegetables, and whole grain rice in controlled portions. The high fiber content from chickpeas and vegetables helps slow glucose absorption and maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Flexitarian Diet

This plant-forward paella exemplifies flexitarian eating by centering on vegetables, legumes, and whole grains without any animal products. The dish proves that plant-based meals can be just as complex and satisfying as those containing meat, making it perfect for flexitarian meal planning.

Gluten-Free Diet

This paella is naturally gluten-free when made with Spanish paella rice or Arborio rice, both of which are gluten-free grains. All other ingredients—vegetables, chickpeas, olive oil, and spices—are naturally gluten-free, making this a safe and delicious option for those avoiding gluten.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This heart-healthy paella features cardiovascular-protective ingredients including extra virgin olive oil, fiber-rich legumes and vegetables, and whole grains. The recipe is naturally low in saturated fat, contains no cholesterol, and provides heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and plant-based protein.

High-Fiber Diet

This paella is excellent for high-fiber diets, providing substantial fiber from chickpeas, peas, artichoke hearts, vegetables, and whole grain rice. The combination of legumes and whole grains delivers both soluble and insoluble fiber to support digestive health.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense paella is ideal for eating windows during intermittent fasting, providing sustained energy from complex carbohydrates, plant-based protein from chickpeas, and healthy fats from olive oil. The high fiber content and balanced macronutrients help maintain satiety throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This paella is perfect for intuitive eating as it provides both satisfaction and nourishment without restriction or guilt. The dish offers a variety of textures, colors, and flavors that engage the senses while providing balanced nutrition from whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and healthy fats.

Mayo Clinic Diet

This paella follows Mayo Clinic Diet guidelines with its emphasis on vegetables, whole grains, plant-based protein from legumes, and healthy fats from olive oil. The recipe avoids processed foods and added sugars while providing a nutrient-dense, portion-controlled meal that supports sustainable weight management.

Mediterranean Diet

This paella perfectly embodies Mediterranean Diet principles with its foundation of extra virgin olive oil, legumes (chickpeas), abundant vegetables, and whole grains (paella rice). The dish emphasizes plant-based ingredients, uses herbs and spices for flavoring, and contains no red meat or processed ingredients, making it an ideal Mediterranean meal.

MIND Diet

This recipe aligns with MIND Diet principles by emphasizing brain-healthy ingredients including vegetables, beans (chickpeas), whole grains, and olive oil as the primary fat. The dish avoids red meat, butter, and processed foods while providing antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that support cognitive health.

Mindful Eating

This vibrant paella supports mindful eating with its stunning visual presentation, aromatic saffron and spices, and varied textures from crispy socarrat to tender vegetables. The whole, minimally processed ingredients and one-pan preparation encourage slow, conscious consumption and sensory appreciation.

Plant-Based Diet

This paella is completely plant-based, featuring protein-rich chickpeas, artichoke hearts, peas, and a variety of vegetables with no animal products whatsoever. The dish showcases how plant-based eating can be flavorful and satisfying while providing complete nutrition from whole food ingredients.

Vegan Diet

This recipe is entirely vegan, containing no meat, dairy, eggs, or animal-derived ingredients. It provides plant-based protein from chickpeas and peas, complex carbohydrates from rice, and healthy fats from olive oil, creating a nutritionally complete and flavorful meal.

Vegetarian Diet

This vegetarian paella excludes all meat, poultry, and seafood while providing excellent plant-based protein from chickpeas and peas. The combination of whole grains, legumes, and vegetables creates a nutritionally balanced and satisfying meal.

Weight Watchers

This plant-based paella fits Weight Watchers principles with its emphasis on legumes (chickpeas), non-starchy vegetables, and whole grains in controlled portions. The recipe uses minimal added fats and focuses on nutrient-dense, satisfying ingredients that support weight management.

Instructions

1
2 min

Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large paella pan or wide skillet (12-14 inches) over medium heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.

2
6 min

Add the diced onion and red bell pepper to the pan. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent, about 5-6 minutes.

3
1 min

Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, and crushed saffron threads. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

4
2 min

Add the rice to the pan and stir to coat each grain with the oil and spices. Toast the rice, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.

5
2 min

Pour in the white wine and stir, allowing it to absorb into the rice while scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, about 1-2 minutes.

6
3 min

Add the drained diced tomatoes, warm vegetable broth, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine, then add the bay leaf if using. Bring the mixture to a boil.

7

Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low. Do not stir the rice from this point forward—this is key to developing the socarrat crust.

8

Arrange the chickpeas and quartered artichoke hearts evenly over the surface of the rice, gently pressing them slightly into the liquid.

1 min
9
15 min

Let the paella simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, rotating the pan occasionally for even cooking if your heat source is uneven.

10
7 min

Scatter the frozen peas over the top of the paella. Continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

11
3 min

Increase the heat to medium-high for the final 2-3 minutes to create the socarrat—the crispy rice crust at the bottom. Listen for a gentle crackling sound and watch for steam to reduce significantly.

12

Remove the pan from heat and cover with a clean kitchen towel or aluminum foil. Let the paella rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the rice to finish steaming.

5 min
13

Remove the bay leaf if used. Garnish the paella with chopped fresh parsley and arrange lemon wedges around the edge of the pan.

1 min
14

Serve the paella family-style directly from the pan, encouraging diners to squeeze fresh lemon juice over their portions and scrape up some of the crispy socarrat from the bottom.

Frequently Asked Questions