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This chickpea curry is a reader favorite—a healthy and easy weeknight dinner! It’s done in 20 minutes, plant based, and full of flavor.
Everyone is always asking us for fast and easy weeknight dinners. So Alex and I are always experimenting and on the lookout for the best concepts for quick and easy dinner ideas. So we present: our favorite this chickpea curry!
It takes only about 20 minutes to make! Warm spices and coconut milk make it one the most tastiest things you can make in that short time window—hands down. This recipe has become a reader favorite over the years for its quick cook time and satisfying flavor.
What’s great about this chickpea curry recipe
We created this chickpea curry for weeknights—it’s designed to get dinner on the table fast. At the same time, there are no flavor shortcuts! The way it comes together, you’ll be hooked on it as a go-to in your easy dinner ideas. Here’s why this is a great chickpea curry for weeknights:
- It takes about 20 minutes to make. This depends on your ability to chop a few veggies quickly. The cook time is only 12 minutes, making this a super fast meal! Using fire roasted tomatoes helps shortcut the cook time.
- It’s a healthy dinner full of plant-based protein. Chickpeas and spinach bring in nutrients to the veggie-based sauce.
- It’s got big flavor. Onion, garlic and ginger make an aromatic base, and cumin, coriander and curry powder put it over the top. It’s got a swirl of coconut milk at the end for creamy body.
Is this an authentic Indian curry?
Is this chickpea curry authentic Indian cuisine? It’s similar to chana masala, the traditional Indian curried chickpeas. While this isn’t a 100% authentic Indian curry recipe, it uses the flavors of Indian cuisine to make a fast weeknight dinner.
If you’d like an authentic Indian dinner recipe, head to this masoor dal (Indian red lentils) recipe. This recipe was shared with us directly from Asma Khan, an Indian chef with a popular restaurant in London. Another great resource for authentic Indian recipes is chef and author Madhur Jaffrey.
Ways to serve chickpea curry
How to serve this weeknight chickpea curry? We like it with long-grain basmati rice. Here’s what we’d suggest for serving:
- Basmati rice: Here’s our method for how to cook brown or white basmati rice: white takes about 15 minutes total and brown takes about 20 to 25 minutes. Brown rice is a bit more nutrient dense than white rice, which is why we like to take the extra time when we have it. You can also make Instant Pot Basmati Rice.
- Naan bread: Store-bought naan bread is a great quick side dish for this chickpea curry. Or, try our homemade Garlic Naan or Vegan Naan.
Tips for making this recipe
When you’re ready to make the recipe, scroll down for the instructions! Here are a few tips for this chickpea curry:
- Use fire roasted tomatoes. This type of tomatoes is key in this recipe, because of their sweet flavor right out of the can. These tomatoes have been charred over an open fire, then canned. Other tomato varieties can taste bitter out of the can, and need to be cooked for longer. Here’s where to find them online. If you can’t find them, substitute high quality canned tomatoes and cook the sauce 10 minutes longer.
- Peel the fresh ginger with a spoon. This is the easiest way to peel it—much easier than a vegetable peeler which often gets stuck on the knobby exterior.
Frequently asked questions
This chickpea curry is mild. If you prefer a spicier curry, you can add chili peppers or use spicy curry powder.
Chickpea curry is traditionally served with rice, such as basmati rice. It also pairs well with various Indian breads like naan, roti, or paratha. You can also serve it with a side of yogurt or raita (a yogurt-based condiment) for a cooling contrast to the spices. A simple salad can also be a refreshing addition.
Yes, chickpea curry freezes well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. It can be stored in the freezer for several months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Absolutely! In fact, chickpea curry often tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld. You can make it 1 to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat it gently before serving.
Dietary notes
This chickpea curry recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free.
Easy Chickpea Curry
This chickpea curry is the ultimate healthy and easy weeknight dinner! It’s done in 20 minutes, totally plant based, and full of flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian Inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 large garlic clove
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or olive oil
- 6 cups (5 ounces) baby spinach leaves (or chopped spinach)
- 28-ounce can crushed fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon coriander
- ¾ teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas
- ½ cup full fat canned coconut milk
- White or brown basmati rice, to serve
Instructions
- If you’re serving with rice, start the basmati rice.
- Mince the onion. Mince the garlic. Peel and mince the ginger (or grate it). Drain and rinse the chickpeas.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and saute for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, and spinach and saute for 2 minutes until the spinach is fully wilted.
- Carefully pour in the tomatoes, then add the curry powder, cumin, coriander, salt, and chickpeas. Cook for 5 minutes until bubbly.
- Stir in the coconut milk until fully combined, then remove from the heat. Serve with basmati rice. Store leftovers up to 3 days refrigerated.
More easy weeknight dinners
If you’re in the market for easy weeknight dinners, here are a few of our top ideas! Some favorite healthy dinner ideas are:
- These 5 minute tacos star a spiced egg filling that tastes like meat.
- This creamy gnocchi sauce is basically gourmet fast mac and cheese, made with just Pecorino Romano cheese, butter and pepper.
- This cilantro lime shrimp is a 10-minute recipe that pairs with rice, chips and salsa, or guacamole to make a fast and easy dinner.
- For curry recipes, try our vegan curry, vegetable curry, or lentil curry.
This Easy Chickpea Curry recipe is a perfect go-to for busy weeknights! With its quick cook time, rich flavors, and healthy ingredients, it’s a great addition to any meal plan. The combination of warm spices, coconut milk, and chickpeas makes it both comforting and satisfying. Plus, the tips and serving suggestions make it even more convenient. A must-try for curry lovers!