Want to taste the street vibe from the comfort of your own home? Meet Spicy Chickpea Curry Recipe or Chana Masala- an iconic street food ready to steal the limelight, whether it’s a cosy family meal or a grand event!
I got introduced to this aromatic dish from a food cart around my workplace. Every day as the office hour wraps up, people gather around this charming little cart. The moment the seller opens the lid, the absolutely delicious smell of the chana masala curry hits the air, and people start rushing to make a line and get a plate. Needless to say, I am in that line almost every day!
While I love being in the middle of the buzz and excitement of standing in that long queue, it often means I am getting home later than expected. So, today instead of waiting for my turn in the cart, I am recreating the magic of chana masala right inside my own kitchen!
Let’s get started with a delicious recipe of Spicy Chickpea Curry and see if I can bring the taste I love to your kitchen as well.
What to Serve with Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe?
Roti/Parata
Roti or paratha pairs beautifully with spicy chickpea curry. The dry texture of the roti or paratha absorbs the flavour of the spicy and creamy curry. For a healthier version, you can choose the whole wheat roti or chapati option.
Naan
Soft naan bread creates a beautiful contrast with the chunky, textured chickpea curry. It soaks up the gravy’s flavour while allowing the curry to still be the star of the meal. You can choose from different variations, such as garlic naan, butter naan, onion naan, etc.
Rice
Basmati rice or even plain rice goes well with the spicy chickpea dish. The rice’s neutral nature allows it to absorb the spice and aromatic flavour of the curry properly. It helps balance out the heat of the dish and makes it feel more complete.
Pickles
Pickles can be a fantastic addition to spicy chickpea curry. The tanginess of the pickles provides a sharp contrast to the soft and creamy chickpea dish. You can choose from different pickle options, including mango pickles, green chili pickles, garlic pickles, vegetable pickles, etc.
Raita
The spiciness of the chickpea curry can be nicely balanced with the coolness and creaminess of the raita. You can make raita with different ingredients of your choice, including yogurt, cucumber, onion, mint, pineapple, tomato, herbs, etc.
Recipe Card
Chana Masala: Spicy Chickpea Curry | Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp / 60 ml Cooking Oil
- 1 tbsp / 7 g Ginger (Chopped)
- 1 tbsp / 8 g Garlic (Chopped)
- 1 tsp / 2 g Chili Flakes
- 2 medium-size Green Chili (Chopped)
- 1 medium-size Onion (Sliced)
- 1 tsp / 6 g Salt
- ½ tsp / 1 g Black Pepper
- 1 tsp / 2 g Red Chili Powder
- 1 tsp / 2 g Cumin Powder
- 1 tsp / 2 g Coriander Powder
- ½ tsp / 1 g Turmeric Powder
- ½ tsp / 1 ¼ g Garam Masala
- Water (Little Amount for Sauteing)
- 1 cup / 262 g Tomato Puree
- 4 cups / 656 g Chickpeas (Boiled)
- ½ cup / 118 ml Water (Or As Needed)
For Garnishing
- 2 tbsp Coriander (Chopped)
- Lemon Juice
Instructions
Saute Garlic, Ginger and Chilies
- Place a pan on the stove over medium heat.
- Pour 4 tbsp of cooking oil into the pan.
- Add 1 tbsp of chopped ginger and 1 tbsp of chopped garlic to the hot oil.
- Add 1 teaspoon of chili flakes and 2 medium-sized chopped green chilies.
- Saute the ingredients for 30 seconds.
Add Onions and Season
- Add 1 medium-sized sliced onion to the pan.
- Saute and cook the onion slices until they become translucent.
- Sprinkle 1 tsp of salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper over the onions.
- Add 1 tsp of red chili powder, 1 tsp of cumin powder and 1 tsp of coriander powder to the mix.
- Sprinkle 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder and 1/2 tsp of garam masala over the spiced onions to balance out the flavour.
- Pour a small amount of water and stir again to prevent the spices from burning.
Add Tomato Puree and Chickpeas
- Pour 1 cup of tomato puree into the mix and stir to mix the puree with the onions and spices until thickened.
- Add 4 cups of boiled chickpeas to the pan and mix thoroughly with the puree.
Pour Water and Simmer
- Pour in ½ cup of water, or more if needed, to reach your desired consistency. Stir the mixture once again.
- Cover and cook the chickpeas on low heat for 10 minutes.
Garnish, Serve and Enjoy!
- Open the lid of the pan after 10 minutes and stir the dish.
- Sprinkle 2 tbsp of chopped coriander over the chickpeas.
- Squeeze a little bit of lemon juice on top, and your spicy chickpea curry is ready to be enjoyed with roti or paratha!
Video
Grab a spoon, dig in and let me know if you love it as much as I do!
The rich and creamy curry, mouthwatering aroma, and perfect blend of spices are what make this dish so special. Did my recipe capture all these essence of the food cart? Let me know in the comments if you feel the magic in every spoon!
Recipe FAQs
You can store the leftover curry in an airtight box and refrigerate it for up to 4-5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.
While the curry is simmering, use a spoon to skim off the excess oil from the dish. You can also add more tomato puree or water to fix the oiliness in the curry.
Yes, you can use canned chickpeas for this recipe. Drain and rinse well before using them in cooking.
To balance out the spiciness, add extra tomatoes to the curry. You can also reduce the spice level with yogurt or sugar.
Yes, you can use curry paste to make chickpeas for this recipe. But if you don’t have dried spices like garam masala, cyanine pepper, or turmeric, you can add them while cooking.
