Slow Cooker Moroccan Chickpea Stew with Couscous

This is my favorite slow cooker recipe to date! Throw this on in the morning and let it cook while you’re at work. This chickpea stew is absolutely loaded with flavor! The spices add layer after layer of flavor, without being overpowering. The onions and garlic just melt away after 6 hours in the slow cooker. A good amount of extra virgin olive oil, a half cup to be exact, really brings all of the flavors together and give a richness that this vegetarian recipe deserves! Not to mention, what is a Mediterranean recipe without an excessive amount of olive oil!

My original idea for this recipe was to create a Greek-style chickpea stew with lots of fresh dill, parsley, and extra virgin olive oil, in a tomato sauce. Then I decided that I want way more layers of flavor than that, so I went the route of spices! I honestly just made up this mixture of spices and I kind of lucked out because not one specific spice stands out when you try this stew. All of the spices meld together beautifully, I think partly because it cooks for so long, and partly because there is a pretty equal amount of each spice, including small amounts of the really pungent ones like coriander and cinnamon.

I chose to serve this with Israeli couscous because I love the texture and it makes the stew taste even better. There’s something about the texture of Israeli couscous that I like so much more than regular couscous. If you can’t find Israeli couscous, regular couscous will work great too!

If you’re looking for more Mediterranean slow cooker recipes, check these out:

Greek Slow Cooker Pasta Sauce with Chicken (Kokkinisto)

Green Beans with Pork and Potatoes in the Slow Cooker (Greece)

Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Eggplant, Zucchini, and Tomatoes (Greece)

Slow Cooker Moroccan Chickpea Stew with Couscous

George Zikos

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings 6

Calories 527 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• 2 small can chickpeas, liquid from one reserved
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 
• 2 onions, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 bunch fresh parsley, washed and chopped
• 1/2 bunch fresh mint, washed and chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 medium potatoes, diced
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp coriander
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp curry powder
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 28 ounces can crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup water
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 cup dry couscous

Instructions

 

• Combine all ingredients (except couscous) in the slow cooker. Stir well.
• Cover and cook on high for 6 hours.
• While the stew is cooling down, prepare couscous according to directions. Serve with the stew immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 527kcalCarbohydrates: 71gProtein: 16gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gSodium: 825mgPotassium: 1120mgFiber: 14gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 4231IUVitamin C: 37mgCalcium: 144mgIron: 5mg

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