Don’t let the simplicity of this recipe fool you – Roasted Garbanzo Beans with Garlic and Swiss Chard is an incredibly tasty side dish that you’ll crave again and again. The secret? Roasting the garbanzo beans with olive oil and amazing flavors to create a dish that is smooth, nutty, and buttery in all the right ways. And when you serve it with wilted Swiss Chard, you’ve got the perfect combination of flavors. Trust me, once you taste this dish, you’ll understand the hype.

I know there are a few steps involved in making this recipe, but don’t worry, I’ve got some make-ahead tips to make it easier for you, especially if you’re planning to serve it at a dinner where you’ll be busy with other dishes.

First, we roast the garbanzo beans. Simply combine them with garlic cloves, shallots, bay leaves, fennel seeds, and a generous amount of olive oil. Then, let them roast in the oven for 45 minutes. Trust me, the aroma that fills your kitchen will make it worth the wait.

While the garbanzo beans are roasting, we prepare the Swiss Chard. Sauteé garlic, bay leaves, and shallots in a little bit of oil. Then, add in the chopped chard and vegetable or chicken broth. Let it cook until the chard is nice and tender.

Once the garbanzo beans are done roasting, drain the oil (but don’t throw it away!). We’ll save it for later because it’s infused with amazing flavors that you can use in other dishes like pizza crust, homemade salad dressings, or to sauté other ingredients.

Finally, combine the garbanzo beans with the chard and warm everything up together, using a little bit of the infused oil. The result? A deliciously flavorful dish that will impress your dinner guests.

Yes! The folks at Bon Appétit have tested this recipe extensively, and they’ve found that the amount of olive oil used is just right to achieve the perfect flavor. The garbanzo beans become smooth, nutty, and buttery, creating a dish that you won’t be able to resist.

When you drain the olive oil, don’t throw it away! It’s infused with amazing flavors that can enhance other dishes. Use it to rub onto pizza crust, as a base for homemade salad dressing, or even dip baguette slices into it. The possibilities are endless, and the taste is phenomenal.

I first made this recipe for a gourmet Greek dinner party, and it paired perfectly with roasted lamb. But don’t worry, if you’re not a fan of lamb, it’s also great served with chicken or beef. And if you’re a vegetarian, try serving it over mashed potatoes for a hearty and satisfying meal.

If you’re looking for more recipes using garbanzo beans, here are a few suggestions:

• Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
• Roasted Vegetable Quinoa
• One Pot Coconut Chickpea Curry
• Crispy Roasted Chickpeas
• Two Bean Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Spinach and Arugula Salad with Indian Spiced Chickpeas
• Garbanzo Tomato Salad
• Moroccan Stew

Trust me, once you try this roasted garbanzo beans recipe, you’ll be hooked. It’s been a favorite of mine since I discovered it in Bon Appétit back in 2008, and I know it’ll become one of your go-to dishes as well.

And before I forget, a special thanks to Tara Liptak from the blog, Smells Like Home, for capturing the deliciousness of these roasted garbanzo beans with her beautiful photography.

Enjoy cooking and bon appétit!