Weeknight Cooking

Chickpea, Spinach, and Chorizo Frittata

April  9, 2021
4.3
21 Ratings
Photo by James Ransom
  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 35 minutes
  • Serves 6
Author Notes

Dense, fresh and robustly spiced, this is one of my favourite fritattas. The nutty bite of chickpeas rolled around in the orange oil oozing from the chorizo give the dish a substantial feel, making it good for a full meal not a just side dish. I've made it with spinach, chard and cavalo nero, play around with the flavours, it is very forgiving. —Hadyourtea?

Test Kitchen Notes

WHO: Hadyourtea is a writer, a cook, and a "mum."
WHAT: A savory, spicy, hearty frittata that keeps us interested long into a third slice.
HOW: Saute all of the ingredients together, dump in the eggs, and broil.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Light enough to serve for tapas and hearty enough to eat for dinner, this frittata should be up anyone's sleeve. (It also comes together in ten minutes -- an added plus.) We love how the flavor of the chorizo infuses the dish, and how it can at once be casual or elegant. —The Editors

Ingredients
  • 1 small onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1 splash olive oil
  • 1 roasted red pepper
  • 200 grams cooked chickpeas
  • 150 grams chorizo
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 handfuls spinach, generous
  • 5 eggs, beaten
  • 1 pinch salt
Directions
  1. Finely chop the onion and garlic and saute in a frying pan in a good glug of olive oil until soft and fragrant.
  2. Dice the red pepper and chorizo into chickpea-sized chunks and add to the pan with the chickpeas and paprika.
  3. Saute everything together until the orangy paprika oils run from the chorizo.
  4. Add the spinach and keep stirring until it wilts and everything starts to meld together in the pan.
  5. Add the eggs and stir gently to incorporate the eggs into the whole mixture, then allow to set over a medium heat.
  6. Preheat the grill then slide the whole pan under the grill to set the top of the fritatta, it will only take a minute or two to become light gold and puffy.
  7. Remove from the grill, gently loosen from the edge of the frying pan with a knife then place a large plate over the pan and invert the fritatta onto it. Then place another plate on top and invert once again so the glossy grilled top of the fritatta is on view.
  8. Sprinkle with a little sea salt.
  9. Allow to cool slightly before slicing into canape sized cubes or wedges. Serve hot or room temperature as a tapas or with a salad.
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80 Reviews

aitkenmail January 20, 2024
Looks great. It would be helpful to note the size of pan in this case especially as it will dictate the thickness of the frittata.
Dariusz October 26, 2023
Quick (40 minutes in total), easy and very tasty. Goes to my favourites.
Emma K. May 4, 2023
I made this with soyrizo as a substitute for Mexican chorizo, but looking at the photos, it looks like it was likely intended to be made with chopped Spanish chorizo. It would be helpful to update the ingredient list to specify. The flavor was fine, but the soyrizo and eggs mixed together so the texture was not the best.
NXL January 28, 2022
The flavors here are good. More precise info on amount of roasted red pepper and cook times would have been helpful. I used kale and it was good.
FrugalCat October 11, 2021
For the non- metric in here, 200 grams of chickpeas is 7 ounces, or about half of a standard can.
Josephsm June 3, 2021
This was excellent. To use up what I had on hand, I substituted Hungarian kielbasa for the chorizo, and arugula for the spinach. I also added the garlic later in the process so it wouldn't burn. I made it in my 13" carbon steel skillet and used 6 eggs. Big hit. Perfect brunch dish.
Samantha T. July 30, 2019
Made this with soyrizo to make it vegetarian, and it was delicious! One of my go-to easy meals!
Jennifer April 26, 2018
I have made this about 10 or 20 times now, it’s a staple in our household. I use more eggs and spinach with a large onion and it still fits in my cast iron skillet and make lot of leftovers! The feta is an excellent addition, so glad you shared this recipe!! Thank you!
Analida B. February 21, 2018
I can't wait to try this in my frittata pan! I am a huge chorizo fan and this looks so tasty! Here is one of my favorites, Spanish tortilla: https://ethnicspoon.com/tortilla-espanola-spanish-potato-pie/
Samantha S. May 8, 2017
too much effort seems lol, roasted pepper, chorizo whats that? smoked paprika? how do i do this? I'm on tight budget right now this is all ingredients don't normally have, so more expensive, NEXT...lol but it sure does look good. besides don't buy store eggs, no such thing as free range, too much cruelty to chickens so until i find substitute for recipes like this or place to buy......
Phyllis May 8, 2017
?
Luciana January 22, 2018
So find a different recipe instead of leaving a poor review? It sounds awesome to me, and they are very BASIC ingredients for a home cook.
Lizzy C. May 31, 2018
This is comedic gold omg
Scribbles March 26, 2017
This was so easy and so delicious! Definitely will be in my rotation for those nights I want something quick and yummy.
ezachos April 24, 2016
This frittata looks irresistible! Love that it's only going to take me 10 minutes to put it together, would be even better if recipes could include their measurements translated between US and European.
Kate's K. March 21, 2016
I believe it was Spanish. It was the drier chorizo of the two.
Arizona C. March 21, 2016
Thank you
Arizona C. March 21, 2016
Are you using Spanish or Mexican chorizo?
Shortrib February 3, 2016
I should have added more eggs! By the time I stirred eggs into the chickpea mixture they were basically scrambled. Next time I will use more eggs & just pour them over and maybe jostle them a little! Wonderful flavour here!
leslie W. May 5, 2015
For the novice that I am, what does it mean to preheat the grill and set it under such? What temperature do I use in the oven? Broil?
Kate's K. May 5, 2015
I set it over medium heat on top of the stove and then put it under the preheated broiler in oven.
Jennifer P. May 5, 2015
Yes, use Broil. Enjoy! :-)
chris May 5, 2015
Unless a recipe states otherwise, I turn the broiler on its HIGH setting, 5 minutes before I need to use it (i.e. PREHEAT), and set the oven rack 5-6" below the heat element. I leave the oven door ajar and watch it like a hawk ... things seem to go from blond to burned in a nanosecond. (My son's new oven shuts itself off, when you leave the door open. Dislike!)
Jennifer P. April 18, 2015
Made a quick version with jarred red pepper and canned chickpeas and it was still wonderful! Thank you for the delicious recipe. Definitely a keeper.
Neophyte March 8, 2015
Brava! Halved the recipe, and took the labor-intensive way route (dried beans, soaked over night, yadda, yadda; roasted pepper/peeled pepper in oven, yadda, yadda) and it was a hit (and still easily prepared). Served with a green salad, and crusty bread for a beyond satisfying meal.
Allie G. March 7, 2015
did you use fresh chorizo or smoked?
Kate's K. March 7, 2015
I used fresh and sautéed it along with onions and garlic.
ceratops March 1, 2015
This recipe was perfect! It was some quick and turned out amazing... a delicious Sunday brunch!