Easy Chana Masala Recipe (How to Make Chickpea Curry)

This post may possibly include affiliate hyperlinks. Please study my disclosure.

This flavorful genuine Chana Masala recipe is an simple, Indian chickpea curry, with the ideal quantity of spice and veggies! Served with creamy yogurt and cilantro, it is healthful, naturally gluten-free of charge and simply produced vegan as well!

Chana masala is 1 of my preferred classic Indian dishes, and it is also 1 of my go-to meals to make at property when I’m brief on time!

It’s 1 of these savory recipes that will by no means steer your incorrect! The mixture of chickpeas and spices in a thick gravy is hearty, filling, and reliable.

Latest Recipe Video!

Of course, reduced high-quality restaurants can nonetheless mess up Chana Masala by smothering the delicate chickpeas and spices with as well a great deal oil, or overdoing the hot spices with out balancing out the warm and savory spices.

My version of chana masala is healthier than the standard version, but tastes as superior as any dish you’d get at Indian restaurants!

I like to serve this with plain creamy yogurt that melts more than the chickpeas and adds a cooling element to this spicy dish. This recipe is currently vegan, it is just the yogurt topping that is not! Swap that out for a vegan yogurt and you have got a healthful vegan recipe all prepared to go!

👩🏽‍🍳 Why This Recipe Works

• Super simple
• Vegan Friendly
• Tastes just like restaurant style chana masala
• Healthy and Low in Calories
• Rich supply of plant protein
• Family friendly
• Super flavorful with wealthy Indian spices
• Ready in much less than an hour!

🥘 Ingredients

This recipe calls for a couple of straightforward components that are pantry staples, and a set of standard Indian spices that can simply be discovered on line, at your neighborhood Indian grocery shop, spice shop, and in quite a few circumstances in the aisle of your grocery shop.

Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans): I use canned chickpeas for this recipe for ease and to save time. Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Save the chickpea water (aquafaba) to use in vegan recipes. You can also use dried chickpeas, but you will require to cook them initial ahead of adding them to this recipe.

Red Onion and Garlic: Finely dice your red onion. I like making use of red onion in this recipe simply because it adds colour and a touch of sweetness. The garlic brings out a fragrant aroma.

Canned Whole Peeled Tomatoes: With this recipe you want each the juice and the tomatoes from the can. Do not drain the tomatoes. Dump the complete can of peeled tomatoes into the pot. Then you will use a potato masher to combine them into a wealthy sauce. You’ll require a big 32 ounce can of tomatoes, use organic if probable. You can use fresh tomatoes but I’ve discovered that canned tomatoes has a richer flavor and tends to make prep way less complicated! If you cannot discover complete canned tomatoes, you can also use tomato puree (but you will require to adjust the quantity to assure your chana masala does not turn out to be as well watery).

Baby Red Potatoes: I like making use of infant red potatoes in this recipe! They are starchy, and cook up promptly. Cut into modest cubes about the identical size as the chickpeas for even cooking, and a balanced bite!

Indian Spices: This recipe calls for a set of complete spices and powdered spices. Here’s what you will require to collect: Cumin Seeds, Ground Coriander, Ground Ginger (you can also use fresh ginger), Garam Masala, Cardamom Pods, Cayenne Pepper (you can also use a serrano pepper reduce in half, or an equal quantity of Red Chili Powder), Ground Cumin, Chili Powder, Salt.

Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt and Fresh Coriander Leaves (aka Cilantro): Finish this dish with some chopped fresh cilantro and a dollop of creamy nonfat plain Green yogurt. It melts more than the top rated and adds a richness with out the added fat!

🍽 Equipment

🔪 Instructions: How to Make Chana Masala

Cook The Onions: Heat a big pot or Dutch oven more than medium-higher heat. Add olive oil and red onion and cook, stirring often till it is deeply caramelized (this removes the raw smell and taste of the onions).

Roast Spices, Add Potatoes &amp Tomatoes: Reduce to medium heat. Add the garlic, cumin seeds, coriander powder, ginger, garam masala, and cardamom pods, and fry them, stirring frequently, till the cumin seeds pop and the spices are fragrant and toasty, about 30 seconds. Reduce to medium-low heat. Pour in the juice and the tomatoes from the can and crush them in the pot with a potato masher. Add the salt and the potatoes.

Add Chickpeas: Raise the heat to medium-higher, and bring the pot to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, add the cilantro and cayenne, and all of the rest of the spices, and simmer the sauce till it reduces a bit and starts to thicken. Add the chickpeas, and stir to combine. Keep simmering the curry on low till the chickpeas and potatoes soften (about 30 minutes).

Serve! Serve and top rated with cilantro, or plain yogurt based on how you like it!

❓Recipe FAQs

🧊 How to Store

• Fridge: Allow the masala to cool entirely. Transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Transfer the chana masala to a freezer protected, airtight container. Label with the date, and contents. Keep in the freezer for 2-3 months. When prepared to reheat, eliminate from the refrigerator, and thaw overnight. Then warm in the microwave or on the stovetop.

👪 How to Serve

• Grains: This straightforward chana masala is normally served with some sort of grain like quinoa, brown rice, jasmine rice or basmati rice. For a low carb selection, you can also use cauliflower rice!
• Breads: Naan is the standard selection to pair with this Indian chickpea curry, but you can use any form of “bread” you like! Indian breads like roti, paratha, or pooris all work nicely or you could even use complete wheat tortillas or gluten-free of charge tortillas for a GF selection!
• Condiments: Plain Greek yogurt or vegan yogurt add a good creaminess and cooling element to the dish. You can also serve this with a wide variety of chutneys, a squeeze of lemon juice, or fresh herbs like cilantro!

📖 Variations

• Dried Chickpeas: Instead of making use of canned chickpeas, go ahead and make them from scratch. It will take a bit more time and arranging, but the finish outcome is definitely astounding!
• Use a Spice Mixture: If you do not have all of the spices listed, use a higher high-quality garam masala mix, or chole masala mix. Customize the quantity of spices in this dish to your personal tastes.
• Add More Vegetables: For a much less standard, but nonetheless super flavorful recipe, add your preferred vegetables. Frozen peas, green beans, broccoli, or cauliflower would all be superb additions. If adding more veggies, be certain to chop them finely.

💭 Expert Tips

• Drain and rinse chickpeas if making use of canned.
• Sauté spices till they turn out to be fragrant, and the seeds pop and sizzle. Make certain your spices are fresh for the ideal flavor!
• Cube the potatoes roughly the identical size as the chickpeas for even cooking and spoonfuls.
• Serve topped with fresh herbs like cilantro and creamy plain Greek yogurt.
• For a spicier version of this dish, use a serrano pepper with seeds, or your preferred spicy chutney!

🍲 More Indian Recipes!

If you have attempted this Chana Masala or any other recipe on my weblog, then please price it and let me know how it turned out in the comments beneath! You can also Comply with ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more scrumptious, healthful, family members friendly meals!

📋 Recipe Card