Sesame Orange Chickpeas

These sesame orange chickpeas are the perfect meal without having to order out. Whip up the orange sauce and you’re good to go for the week!

It seems like the days are getting busier. Not just for me, but from a lot of people I’ve interacted with virtually recently. Seems a lot of our schedules are picking up, which means longer and later nights. Not the biggest deal, but especially when it comes to the evening, it becomes important to have some quick go to meals. It’s either that or take out. But personally, I think these sesame orange chickpeas were better than take out.

A healthier take out alternative

I get it. After a long day of work, the last thing I’m sure you want to hear is to get into the kitchen. This is the biggest struggle for many of my clients. And it’s not because you don’t want to cook. It’s because you’re mentally and physically exhausted. You just finished a long day of work. Maybe you have kids that are at home right now that add extra challenge to an already busy day. On top of that, you probably have decision fatigue. What do you want for dinner? That question has probably been asked a million times already. Sometimes met with the classic…I don’t know. What do you want for dinner? And the cycle continues until one of you decide that you are tired of deciding. Pull out the trusty take out menu and you’re down that rabbit hole.

I don’t want to pretend that I have the answer to what’s for dinner? But I hope that by providing some simple recipes like this, the decision part might not be that hard or intimidating. And if these chickpeas happen to excite you enough to have one more home cooked dinner this month, then I think it’s still worth the effort. In fact, more family meals typically associate with higher fruit and vegetable intake, but can also help to improve social and emotional well being too. (1) I think we all need a little of that.

How to make sesame orange chickpeas

1. In a bowl combine water and cornstarch. Mix well until no clumps remain and set aside.
2. In a saucepan add orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, ginger, onion powder and garlic chili sauce and bring to a simmer.
3. Stir sauce to combine and allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
4. Mix in corn starch slurry and continue to cook for about 3-5 minutes or until sauce begins to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in orange zest and sesame and set aside.
5. Make chickpeas by sauteing onion and mushrooms over medium heat until translucent.
6. Add in broccoli and 1 tbsp water, lower heat to low medium and cover with a lid for 2 minutes.
7. Remove lid and add in chickpeas and sauté for another 2-3 minutes to warm through.
8. Add in 1/3 to 1/2 cup of orange sauce and stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes then remove from heat and serve with rice.

Tips for making sesame orange chickpeas

• You can swap corn starch for same amount of arrow root powder, tapioca starch or all-purpose flour.
• Make sure to fully cool down sauce before sealing and storing in the fridge. Sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 10 days.
• Make sauce in advance for easy meals to put together during the work week. Just pour sauce over different protein or vegetables for a yummy take out combo. Tofu is a great alternative if beans are a no go for you.
• Opt for a little more spice by adding some red chili flakes or a little extra garlic chili sauce.

More fast recipes with chickpeas

• Sweet and Sour Chickpeas
• Peanut Miso Chickpeas
• Mango Coconut Chickpea Curry

Sesame Orange Chickpeas

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 3 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

These sesame orange chickpeas are the perfect meal without having to order out. Whip up the orange sauce and you're good to go for the week!

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Sesame Orange Chickpeas

• 1/4 medium onion (diced)
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 can chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
• 1/3 cup orange sauce

Orange Sauce

• 1 tbsp cornstarch (or flour, tapioca starch or arrowroot powder)
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 cup orange juice
• 4 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
• 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp garlic chili sauce
• 1/4 tsp ginger powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds
• Zest of one orange

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

For Sesame Orange Sauce

1. In a bowl combine water and cornstarch. Mix well until no clumps remain and set aside.
2. In a saucepan add orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, ginger, onion powder and garlic chili sauce and bring to a simmer.
3. Stir sauce to combine and allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
4. Mix in corn starch slurry and continue to cook for about 3-5 minutes or until sauce begins to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in orange zest and sesame seeds and set aside.

For Chickpeas

1. Make chickpeas by sauteing onion and mushrooms over medium heat until translucent.
2. Add in broccoli and 1 tbsp water, lower heat to low medium and cover with a lid for 2 minutes.
3. Remove lid and add in chickpeas and sauté for another 2-3 minutes to warm through.
4. Add in 1/3 to 1/2 cup of orange sauce and stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes then remove from heat and serve with rice.

---

Notes

• Feel free to replace chickpeas with other protein options like baked or pan fried tofu. 
• You can make this gluten free by choosing a gluten free soy sauce or coconut aminos in place of regular soy sauce and gluten free flours to thicken the sauce.

References

Utter J., et al. Family meals among parents: associations with nutritional, social, and emotional well-being. Prev Med. 2018; 113: 7-12.

Did You Try This Recipe?
Then let me know what you thought! Share your creations by tagging me on Instagram with the hashtag #plantbasedrdeats

★ Catherine