Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (2024)

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This Indian-inspired coconut chickpea curry recipe is incredibly easy to make in less than 30 minutes and simmered in the most delicious lemon-ginger coconut curry sauce.

Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (1)

When you’re craving a flavorful, feel-good, quick vegetarian dinner, it doesn’t get much easier than this cozy chickpea curry.

Inspired by Indian chana masala, this chickpea curry is one of those gloriously simple meals that only requires you to briefly chop two ingredients (hi, onion and garlic!). Then everything else is simply stirred in and simmered together until the sauce bubbles up to creamy, vibrant, delicious perfection. Served warm over rice and drizzled with an extra squeeze of lemon, I’m telling you, this chickpea curry feels like the coziest hug in a bowl. And my goodness, is it delicious. ♡

The coconut curry sauce here is already naturally vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free, simmered with tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and a rich blend of seasonings. And while I chose to keep things simple in this batch by just wilting a few handfuls of spinach in with the chickpeas, you would of course be welcome to add in any extra veggies or proteins that happen to sound good too.

We find ourselves returning to this curry recipe here in our family constantly since it mainly uses pantry ingredients that we always have on hand. So if you’re looking for a last-minute idea for dinner tonight too, grab a few cans of chickpeas and let’s make a big pot of curry together!

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Chickpea Curry Ingredients

Before we get to the full chickpea curry recipe below, here are a few notes about the ingredients you will need:

  • Onion and garlic: These are the only two ingredients that you need to chop and will serve as the base aromatics for our sauté.
  • Fresh ginger:I highly recommend using fresh instead of ground ginger for richest flavor, which you can either grate or finely-mince. That said, if you do not have fresh ginger on hand, you can sub in 1 teaspoon ground ginger instead.
  • Dried spices:We’ll use a simple blend of garam masala, ground cumin, and ground turmeric, which we will sauté briefly with the onion and garlic to enhance their flavors. We’ll also use fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper for seasoning.
  • Chickpeas:I always opt for canned chickpeas to make this recipe extra quick and easy, but you are welcome to cook your own chickpeas from scratch if you prefer.
  • Coconut milk:This is my go-to brand of coconut milk, which is always wonderfully thick and creamy and tastes delicious in this coconut chickpea curry.
  • Diced tomatoes:I recommend using fire-roasted diced tomatoes if possible, but plain diced tomatoes will also work perfectly well here.
  • Greens:I tossed a few handfuls of baby spinach into this batch, but kale or collard greens would also work well.
  • Lemon:I always like to add a hint of fresh lemon juice to the pot of curry, and then serve each bowl with a few extra lemon wedges on the side for squeezing. (I personally prefer this curry very lemony!)
  • Fresh cilantro:I love topping this curry with lots of fresh cilantro, but feel free to omit if cilantro’s not your thing.

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Chickpea Curry Variations

Here are a few more ways that you’re welcome to customize this chickpea curry recipe to your liking:

  • Make it spicier: Sauté a fresh chile pepper (Thai chile, jalapeño, serrano, etc) along with the garlic and onion, or simmer extra crushed red chili peppers or cayenne in the sauce.
  • Use cream or half and half: If you’d rather not use coconut milk, you’re welcome to sub in heavy cream or half and half instead.
  • Add a protein:Chicken, beef, pork, meatballs, or shrimp would all go well with this curry if you would like to add a protein.

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More Favorite Curry Recipes

Looking for more cozy curry recipes to try? Here are a few of our faves:

  • Cozy Cauliflower Curry
  • Sweet Potato Chickpea Coconut Curry
  • Tomato Lentil Curry
  • Green Curry Salmon

Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (5)

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Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (6)

Quick Chickpea Curry

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star4.8 from 23 reviews

  • Author: Ali
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Yield: 4-6 servings 1x

Description

This Indian-inspired chickpea curry recipe is incredibly easy to make in less than 30 minutes and simmered in the most delicious lemon-ginger coconut curry sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

  1. Sauté veggies. Heat oil in a large stockpot or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the garlic, grated ginger, garam masala, salt, cumin, turmeric, a pinch of cayenne, and a few twists of black pepper and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  2. Simmer. Add the chickpeas, coconut milk, diced tomatoes and stir to combine. Continue cooking until the sauce reaches a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain the simmer, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes.
  3. Finish. Add the baby spinach and lemon and stir until the spinach has wilted.
  4. Season. Taste and season the sauce with additional salt, pepper and/or lemon juice, if needed.
  5. Serve. Serve warm over rice, garnished with fresh cilantro and extra lemon wedges. Enjoy!

Notes

Source:This recipe is inspired by Indian and Pakistani-style chana masala, which translates to mean “spiced chickpeas.” To learn more about the origins and details of this delicious dish, I recommend diving into this post from 196 Flavors, which also includes a more authentic chana masala recipe.

posted on September 9, 2022 by Ali

Gluten-free, Indian-Inspired, Main Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian

28 Comments »

Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (2024)

FAQs

How to make curry more filling? ›

The type of ingredients that you use makes a huge difference: meat should always be lean and skinless, particularly chicken. Fish is delicious in curry and practically fat free. Vegetables, dhal, and legumes, are all filling and spectacularly good for you.

What is chickpea curry made of? ›

Coconut Chickpea Curry is a simple & fast one pot Indian dish of curried chickpeas made with coconut milk, tomatoes and store-bought ground spices. That said, you can absolutely change up some of the flavors of this beautiful curry. Make it authentic coconut chickpea curry by following my recipe notes below.

How long is chickpea curry good for? ›

How to store and reheat this chickpea curry: This chickpea curry can last in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can store it in the freezer (without rice) for 3-6 months. It reheats really well in the microwave or on the stove.

Can you put chickpea curry in the fridge? ›

On the off chance that you have some leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for a few days. Once the curry has cooled down, transfer it to a container with a lid. You can reheat the dish on the stove over medium to low heat or in the microwave in 30-second intervals until it has reached the desired temperature.

What are the secret ingredients to a good curry? ›

Indian chef Maunika Gowardhan suggests using tomato purée, coconut milk or yoghurt as natural thickening agents to achieve the perfect consistency. Adding ground nuts such as almonds or peanuts can also be a great way to ensure your curry is a knockout.

How do restaurants make curry so creamy? ›

The actual sweetness and creaminess of such curries meanwhile, usually comes from fried onions and either cashews and/or dairy products. Instead of (or in addition to) onion, ground coconut may be used. White poppy seeds and/or watermelon seeds are also used in some creamy sauces.

Why is my chickpea curry bitter? ›

Your curry can taste bitter if the spices and garlic are burnt or if you've added too much fenugreek to the dish. You see, the secret to cooking a delicious curry recipe is to create a spicy paste and slowly cook it before adding your meat.

Do you have to peel chickpeas for curry? ›

If you're using canned chickpeas, it's best to rinse them to get rid of any “can” taste, but the skins will disappear when you blend or process them.

How do you thicken chickpea curry? ›

Use a slurry.

Mix cornstarch, tapioca starch, or arrowroot with cold water or a cup of liquid from the curry sauce to make a slurry. Add this at the end of the cooking process—the sauce should thicken as soon as it returns to a boil.

Can you eat week old chickpeas? ›

Cooked chickpeas can be stored in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container, or you can freeze them on a baking sheet and store them in 1 1/2 cup portions for future use. Frozen chickpeas can be stored in an airtight conatiner for up to 6 months.

Do bagged chickpeas go bad? ›

According to Still Tasty, raw chickpeas can maintain their quality for anywhere from two to three years. However, that's only if they've been stored correctly. Sometimes, when foods like dry chickpeas have such a long shelf life, it can be easy to neglect them.

Is it safe to reheat chickpea curry? ›

Coconut Chickpea Curry Meal Prep Reheating Instructions

To reheat, place the curry in a pan over medium heat and slowly mix it until nice and hot. Alternatively, reheat in a microwave in bursts. This is the better option, as the curry is already integrated with the rice in the meal prep container.

What is a good substitute for chickpeas in curry? ›

Diced tempeh, roasted cauliflower, lentils, and firmer white beans (such as cannellini) can all work great in a soup or curry depending on the other flavors and textures. I recommend you consider the texture, flavor, and nutrition you are looking for in your soup, stew, or curry to help make the choice.

Can you eat chickpeas cold the next day? ›

Refrigerate cooked chickpeas in an airtight container or food-safe bag without additional liquid. Cooked beans will keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze and reheat chickpea curry? ›

TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave. TO FREEZE: You can freeze chickpea curry. Freeze leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How do I Make my curry thick and creamy? ›

For a rich and creamy curry, coconut milk or cream can be a fantastic thickening agent. They not only add creaminess but also a delightful tropical flavour. Simply pour in some coconut milk or cream and let it simmer until your sauce reaches the desired consistency.

How do you thicken soupy curry? ›

If you have some cornstarch on hand in your kitchen, mix a tablespoon (15 mL) of cornstarch with a tablespoon (15 mL) of water. Mix this into your curry while it's boiling to get it to thicken. If necessary, you can add a bit more water and cornstarch if your curry doesn't thicken with one tablespoon (15 mL) of each.

How do you increase gravy in curry? ›

There are various ways to thicken a curry without adding extra spices.
  1. Add tomato puree.
  2. Add grated onions that have been fried to remove its rawness.
  3. Add Groundnut paste.
  4. Add slightly roasted chickpea flour (Besan)
  5. Add curd or milk cream (malai)
Mar 10, 2019

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