This chickpea curry gives you rich, authentic Indian-inspired flavor in just 30 minutes, using one pot, simple grocery store spices, and less oil without sacrificing taste.
Love easy, creamy curries? Try our Greek yogurt chickpea curry, cozy lentil curry, or Greek yogurt vegetable curry next.
Why you’ll love our 30-minute chickpea curry!
This chickpea curry is the result of years of cooking, testing, and simplifying one of our favorite dinners. 🥥 It has the rich, warming flavors of an Indian-inspired curry, but comes together in just 30 minutes, in one pot, with everyday grocery store spices.
Louise and I have made this recipe countless times, and so have our readers. Along the way, we’ve learned what makes a great curry and what you can simplify without sacrificing flavor. No specialty ingredients, complicated techniques, or long cooking times.
We’ve also made it lighter without losing its richness. 🌿 Instead of relying on generous amounts of oil, ghee, or fried toppings, we build flavor with gently toasted spices, tomatoes, and creamy coconut milk.
The result? A deeply flavorful, comforting, and satisfying curry with tender, protein-rich chickpeas and a silky sauce you’ll want to scoop up with warm naan. 🍛 Simple enough for a weeknight, delicious enough to make again and again.
P.S: If you love easy, comforting dinners, try our hearty chickpea stew, Mediterranean lentil soup, or creamy sweet potato curry.
Ingredients
Full ingredients and substitutions are in the recipe box below.
- Olive oil: Extra virgin adds flavor. Substitute avocado oil or another vegetable oil.
- Onion: Yellow or white onions work best. Substitute shallots.
- Garlic: Freshly grated gives the best flavor. If garlic intolerant, use garlic-infused olive oil or omit it.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger adds warmth and freshness. Substitute ground ginger in a pinch.
- Curry powder: The easiest way to build flavor in this Indian chickpea curry. Use mild or hot, depending on your preference.
- Ground cumin: Adds earthy depth. Substitute extra curry powder.
- Ground coriander: Adds a mild, citrusy warmth. Substitute more cumin.
- Turmeric: Gives the curry its golden color. Substitute extra curry powder.
- Red pepper flakes: Add gentle heat. Substitute cayenne or omit for a mild chickpea curry.
- Chickpeas: Canned are convenient. Substitute cooked dried chickpeas.
- Vegetable broth: Adds flavor. Substitute chicken broth or water.
- Crushed tomatoes: Create a rich sauce. Substitute diced tomatoes or tomato puree.
- Coconut milk: Full-fat makes the best creamy chickpea curry. Substitute light coconut milk, heavy cream, or half-and-half.
- Spinach: Adds color and vegetables. Substitute kale or Swiss chard.
- Garam masala: Adds fragrant warmth. Substitute extra curry powder, a pinch of cinnamon, or skip.
- Sugar: Optional, to balance acidity. Substitute maple syrup or omit.
- For serving: Basmati rice, naan, paratha, lemon, cilantro, or Greek yogurt. Try low-fat Greek yogurt or Skyr for extra protein.
How to Make The Best Chickpea Curry
Step 1. Sauté the aromatics and spices
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-low heat.
Add the chopped onion and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the grated garlic, ginger, curry powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and red pepper flakes.
Cook for 1 minute, stirring often, until fragrant. Add a splash of broth if the pan gets too dry.
Step 2. Add the chickpeas and coconut milk
Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas and stir for 1 minute to coat them in the spices.
Pour in the vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, and coconut milk. Season with salt and black pepper. Stir well to combine everything.
Step 3. Simmer until creamy
Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your liking.
Stir in the spinach and cook for another 2 minutes, until wilted.
Finish with garam masala, then taste and adjust the salt. Add a little sugar if needed to balance the flavors.
Step 4. Serve and enjoy
Spoon your coconut chickpea curry over fluffy basmati rice, or serve with warm naan or roti.
Finish with a squeeze of lemon or lime, fresh cilantro, and a dollop of yogurt.
For a complete dinner, serve with your favorite vegetables or a simple side salad.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic dinner: Serve over fluffy basmati or brown rice with warm naan, roti, or paratha to scoop up the creamy sauce.
- More protein: Add crispy tofu, shredded cooked chicken if you’re not vegetarian, or a dollop of Greek yogurt or Skyr.
- Lighter meal: Serve with cauliflower rice or a side of roasted broccoli, green beans, or zucchini.
- Meal prep: Portion into containers with rice for easy lunches throughout the week. Keep the rice separate if freezing.
- Build-your-own curry bowls: Set out rice, chickpea curry, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, raita, and sliced green onions so everyone can customize their bowl.
- Easy leftovers: Reheat with a splash of broth or water and serve over freshly cooked rice or with warm naan.
Tips
- Don’t rush the simmer: Give the curry 20 minutes to develop flavor and thicken naturally.
- Adjust the thickness: Simmer uncovered for a thicker sauce, or add broth for a thinner curry.
- Add garam masala last: Stir it in at the end to preserve its warm, fragrant flavor.
- Balance the flavors: Add a little sugar if the tomatoes taste too acidic, and finish with lemon or lime.
- Control the heat: Use mild curry powder for a family-friendly meal, or add more red pepper flakes for extra spice.
- Make it ahead: The flavors deepen overnight, making this curry even better the next day.
- Store and freeze: Refrigerate for 3–4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat with a splash of broth or water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Substitute coconut milk with heavy cream or half-and-half for a rich, creamy sauce. For a lighter alternative, try our Greek yogurt chickpea curry, made with yogurt instead of coconut milk for extra protein and a deliciously creamy texture.
Absolutely! Follow our guide on how to cook dried chickpeas, then use about 4½ cups of cooked chickpeas instead of three cans. Make sure they’re tender before adding them to the curry.
Yes! This easy chickpea curry recipe is perfect for meal prep. The flavors develop as it sits, so it often tastes even better the next day. Reheat gently, adding a splash of broth if the sauce has thickened.
Definitely! Cauliflower, peas, bell peppers, zucchini, sweet potatoes, and roasted eggplant work well. Add firm vegetables early enough to become tender, and quick-cooking vegetables toward the end.
Let the curry cool, then refrigerate in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
More Easy Chickpea Recipes
- Chickpea Shawarma Bowl
- Chickpea Peanut Noodle Soup
- Greek Chickpea Soup (Revithia)
- Chickpea Sweet Potato Patties
- Turmeric Rice with Chickpeas
- Mediterranean Chickpea Soup
- Chickpea Noodle Soup
- Greek Yogurt Marry Me Chickpeas
If you try this Recipe please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it turned out in the comments—we love hearing from you.
Chickpea Curry (The Easiest 30-Minute Recipe)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic grated
- 1 inch ginger grated
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 cans chickpeas 15 oz / 400 g each can or 4½ cups /690 g cooked chickpeas
- 2 cups vegetable broth reduced–sodium
- 1 can crushed tomatoes 15 oz / 400 g
- 1 can coconut milk 14 oz /400 g – sub light coconut milk, 1 cup (250 ml) heavy cream, or 1 cup (250 ml) half-and-half
- 4 cups spinach optional
- 1 teaspoon salt or more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 lemon + fresh cilantro
- 4 servings basmati rice + Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Cook the spices: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-low heat.Add 1 large onion (chopped) and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.Add 3 cloves garlic, 1 inch ginger (both grated), 2 teaspoons curry powder, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Stir for 1 minute until fragrant. Add a splash of broth if the pan gets dry.
- Add the chickpeas: Stir in 3 cans chickpeas (rinsed) and cook for 1 minute.Add 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 can crushed tomatoes, 1 can coconut milk, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer the curry: Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.Add 4 cups spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted.Stir in 1 teaspoon garam masala, taste, and adjust the salt. You can add a little sugar if needed to balance the flavors.
- Serve: Spoon the chickpea curry over basmati rice or serve with warm naan or roti.Finish with a squeeze of lemon or lime, fresh cilantro, and a dollop of yogurt.
Notes
- Olive oil → Avocado oil or vegetable oil.
- Onion → Shallots.
- Garlic → Garlic-infused olive oil or omit.
- Fresh ginger → Ground ginger.
- Curry powder → Mild or hot curry powder.
- Ground cumin → Extra curry powder.
- Ground coriander → More cumin.
- Turmeric → Extra curry powder.
- Red pepper flakes → Cayenne pepper or omit.
- Canned chickpeas → Cooked dried chickpeas.
- Vegetable broth → Chicken broth or water.
- Crushed tomatoes → Diced tomatoes or tomato puree.
- Full-fat coconut milk → Light coconut milk, heavy cream, or half-and-half.
- Spinach → Kale or Swiss chard.
- Garam masala → Extra curry powder, a pinch of cinnamon, or omit.
- Sugar → Maple syrup or omit.
- For serving → Basmati rice, naan, paratha, lemon, cilantro, Greek yogurt, low-fat Greek yogurt, or Skyr.
- Simmer for 20 minutes: This develops flavor and thickens the sauce.
- Adjust the thickness: Simmer uncovered to thicken, or add broth to thin.
- Add garam masala last: Keeps its warm, fragrant flavor.
- Balance the flavors: Add sugar if too acidic, and finish with lemon or lime.
- Adjust the heat: Use mild curry powder or extra red pepper flakes.
- Make ahead: The curry tastes even better the next day.
- Store and freeze: Refrigerate for 3–4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat with a splash of broth or water.
Nutrition
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Hi! We are Nico & Louise
We're here to share easy, healthy, and delicious recipes 🌿✨.
Welcome to our blog, we are glad you are here.
This was wonderful! Great flavor.
Would have been so much more helpful if the amount of ingredients would have been in the beginning instead of lastly
So good. Curry is new to me and this was a great find! Even my husband who is skeptical of new recipes said it was GOOD!!
omg was this delicious and so easy…..
It tasted ok.
Does the calorie count include the rice? the greek yogurt etc?
Hi Samantha,
Thanks for your question! The calorie count listed does not include the rice or yogurt — it reflects the curry on its own. If you’re adding extras, you may want to adjust accordingly based on your portions.I hope this helps 🙂 Kindest,
Louise
Love curries. And this chickpea curry is a fav. I often add a part of sweet potato.
Hi Janei,
So happy to hear it’s one of your favorites! Adding sweet potato is a delicious idea — it brings such a nice touch of sweetness and heartiness. Thanks for sharing!
Could I add sweet potato or regular potato into this?
Hi Emma, sure you can! And we actually have recipe for this (yay): https://theplantbasedschool.com/sweet-potato-curry/
The curry needs a little more broth as potatoes will absord some of the liquid. Happy cooking!
Kindest, Louise
I have made this recipe 3x’s. I’m Indian and I love chickpea in Indian dishes, but it was really nice to have something Indian inspired yet different. I love how this chickpea curry has Indian flavours but milder. I could see myself making this a couple times a month. So quick and easy. Thank you Nico and Louise!
Hi Sandeep,
That’s fantastic – I’m happy that you like our Indian-inspired version 🥰 Thank you for your kind words, and for your review.
All the best, Louise
Could this be served over polenta? I’ve been watching for recipes using polenta because I like it a lot. This was delicious. I made it last night and enjoyed it again tonight. Two servings are in the freezer delicious.
Hi Maureen, it’s a combination that I haven’t thought about before 🙂
But yes, you can do that as the polenta is quite neutral.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, thanks so much for leaving your feedback here. Kindest,
Louise
Soooo good! Served it with coconut rice!
Awesome, Brenda, coconut rice is a wonderful serving suggestion 🥳 Thanks so much for your rating and comment!