Who needs takeout when you can make this Chana Masala Recipe for Easy Dinner Tonight? Gluten free, packed with protein, and ready to eat in under 30 minutes. Save money and cook at home.
Chickpea curry (or some call it stew) is so delicious and nutritious. When you can cook dinner at home in under 30 minutes (and have leftovers too), why dish out dollars for takeout? Chana Masala is a favourite around here.
Do you like takeout? Honestly most of the time I am so disappointed with the quality and taste of the fast food. Even when we go to restaurants most times we walk away disappointed.
If hubby surprises me with gourmet pizza, burritos or Thai anything I am a happy girl. I know making dinner on weeknights can be a challenge. That is why having easy dinner recipes in your repertoire is a must.
What is Chana Masala?
If you have never heard of this before, Chana Masala is actually an Indian chickpea stew from the Punjabi region. I don’t know about you, but we LOVE Indian food. All those warm, spicy flavours are so enticing. It really is like travelling the world without leaving the kitchen.
Chickpeas are such a great ingredient. Hands down one of my absolute favourite proteins to cook with. Especially if I am looking for a meat alternative. You can cook them from dry if you like, but for the most part, I use canned organic chickpeas. They work well in salads, chili, or just to eat. I usually munch away on them as I rinse them for recipes.
Do you consume chickpeas on a regular basis? Fibre, vitamins, minerals, and they also help with blood pressure, cholesterol, digestion and inflammation. Read this great article on the benefits of eating chickpeas. You just gotta love when something is so nutritious.
How to make Chana Masala
This is a “one pan” (quick and delicious) wonder. Well, ok if you are cooking the chickpeas from scratch, it will be more than one pan. Like I said, I use canned chickpeas for convenience (so much easier).
I always have the basics for chana masala on hand. The ingredients are minimal.
- onion
- garlic
- canned tomatoes
- ginger
- ghee (or oil)
- spices
- chickpeas
This past fall I attended a blogging conference in Ottawa. We all received the new cookbook (#affiliate link) Yum & Yummer, and the author Greta Podleski was on hand to sign them too. Lucky us right.
If you know me at all, I am a cookbook fanatic. I love adding to my vast collection. I also like to feature recipes from them. After all, why have all these great books if you don’t use them right? I even have a category on my site called Recipes From A Cookbook.
I have ALL the Looneyspoons books so I was happy to add this to my bookshelf alongside the others.
This chana masala recipe was adapted from the one in Greta’s book. You will see that even if you don’t have the exact ingredients (since I decided to make this after I went grocery shopping) you can still make a delicious dish with a few minor changes.
Chana Masala Recipe Spices
The one thing that Indian curry (or Indian cooking in general) does have is WONDERFUL spices. The aroma as these delicious dishes cook is so welcoming. I just LOVE cooking with these spices.
- ginger
- curry powder
- garam masala (a wonderful blend of spices)
- chilli powder
- coriander
When making this chickpea curry, I didn’t have the EXACT spices on hand. Also, I wanted to use ghee instead of olive oil. Since I love changing recipes up (and do all the time), subbing in a little more of one in place of another worked well. I knew it would.
I will be the first to admit I am a carb FREAK!! I cannot live without carbs (sorry all you carb haters out there). When making this chana masala recipe, I did make sure I had lots of extra sauce. Pouring this wonderful Indian chickpea stew over some rice, and sopping up the sauce with naan bread is the ONLY way to eat it (in my opinion anyway). Did I mention I was a carb freak?
Chana Masala for Dinner Tonight
Ok, 30 minutes to dinner. Here we go.
If you are making rice, get that cooking. Turn the oven on to warm the naan bread too (or not), but you will really want to.
Rinse your chickpeas and have them ready and waiting. Try not to eat all of them before you use them. Dice your onions, grate your ginger and mince your garlic.
Now you will just cook the onions until tender. Add the spices and tomatoes. Cook a little more. Add the chickpeas and heat through. Simple right? The recipe has all the instructions.
Your rice should be ready, your bread should be warm. OMG, how fast is that? Most people are still debating which pizza they want to order.
Put some rice in a bowl, spoon the chana masala over the rice. Grab some naan. DIG IN!
See just like I said. Fast and easy as 1-2-3. Who needs takeout out. Make this Chana Masala Recipe for Easy Dinner Tonight.
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Chana Masala Recipe for Easy Dinner Tonight
Ingredients
- 26 ounces cans of chickpeas (just use 2 cans)
- 28 ounces can of diced tomatoes
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 cup onion (diced)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp ghee (or olive/coconut oil)
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp yellow curry powder
- 1 tsp chili powder (I used Aleppo Chiles)
- 2 tsp grated fresh ginger (I used a micro plane for this)
- Parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Get all you spices measured into a small bowl.
- Dice your onion, mince the garlic and grate the ginger. Set everything aside.
- Rinse your chickpeas and put them aside. Open the canned tomatoes.
- Heat a non stick pan over medium high heat. Add the ghee.
- Add the onions, cook until soft and start to brown (about 10 minutes).
- Add the garlic, ginger and spices. Cook for 30-40 seconds.
- Add the tomatoes and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Liquid will start to absorb (slightly). You still want to have some sauce especially if you are having this with rice and naan bread. YUM!!
- Add the chickpeas, mix, cover and heat through (about 5 minutes)
- At this point the Chana Masala is done.
- If you like, dish this over some rice, add some naan bread.
- ENJOY!
Nutrition Information
Notes
Sabrina
I enjoyed making this, lovely spices. For some reason I couldn’t get the flavors into the chickpeas themselves, not sure why.maybe it was the brand of canned garbanzos? Maybe the whole things need to simmer longer?
Homemade & Yummy
So glad you enjoyed the recipe. It could be the fact this is a “quick” meal to make. If you are referring flavours in recipes like butter chicken, those happen with the low and slow cooking.
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours
So delicious – I love a good fakeaway in the winter months. I think chana dal was one of the first recipes I ever blogged. I keep two types of canned chickpeas – one for cooking with, and some softer ones for hummus and dips!
Homemade & Yummy
Chickpeas are a staple in our house too. So easy and delicious to throw into things.
Carolyn
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try making this!
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give it a try soon….it is a winner here.
Tatiana
I have to say that i love curry dishes. Chickpea curry is a special one, because i am always trying to keep all necessary ingredients on hand. Very healthy too!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes this simple dish is so easy and delicious. Perfect for any night of the week.
Stacey
I love all the flavors in this, and I especially love how easy it it…perfect for our busy family!
Homemade & Yummy
Quick, easy and delicious. Just what we need in our busy lives for sure.
Lois. O
I have always made my chana masala with dried chickpeas, I see you used canned chickpeas in your recipe. Have you tried making it with dried chickpeas, and if so do you notice a flavor difference? Canned chickpeas will certainly cook faster, so I am willing to try it.
Homemade & Yummy
I have not made it with dried. I am sure it would taste very similar, you just have to cook the chickpeas ahead of time.
Tina
Whenever I see Chana Masala on a menu, it’s a no-brainer, it’s always really good! I don’t remember ever making it though. Your photos really inspire me to give this a go, thanks for sharing.
Homemade & Yummy
This is so easy to make. Hope you experiment in the kitchen and give it a try soon.
Amanda
I’m such a huge fan of chickpeas, but have actually never made Chana Masala! I can’t wait to try this. Love those aromatic spices. What a hearty dish. I’m a total carb devotee, too, so I will most definitely be having this with naan, I can never resist a warmed up wedge of it!
Homemade & Yummy
I know…and now I have my grandson hooked on naan too.
Katie Crenshaw
This dish looks so healthy and flavorful. It is just what I need to add to my menu. I am trying to shed a few pounds. Thanks for the recipe.
Homemade & Yummy
Aren’t we all. This is nutritious and delicious. Hope you give it a try.
Debbye
I so love the vast array of Indian spices and absolutely love a good Chana Masala recipe. Thanks so much for posting this fantastic recipe.
Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome. Hope you give this recipe a try.
Amy Nash
I’m the same way – so much takeout food, and even restaurant food – falls flat for me! It’s just so much better made at home where I can control the ingredients and flavor levels. This chana masala sounds so wonderful!
Homemade & Yummy
I know, going out to eat is so disappointing.
Miranda @ Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt
I’m a fellow carb lover and chickpea lover! I A bowl of Indian chickpea stew over rice and with naan bread as a dipper sounds downright delectable! I think I need that cookbook too!
Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH…well enjoy the recipe and the cookbook.
Lauren
Also a carb freak over here! While I try to balance them out, I definitely eat them every day. This meal looks like some yummy balance coming my way. Love that this is a quick dish to throw together on busy nights!
Homemade & Yummy
Yup I am a carb lover….don’t think I could live without them.
Annemarie @ justalittlebitofbacon
I’m always looking for easy vegetarian meals to add to our diet and I love Indian food, so you are speaking my language here! 🙂 And who has curry without some naan to sop up the sauce? Or at least some rice! Gotta have some carbs.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes I need the carbs…especially with food like this.
Tracy Koslicki
Oh I LOVE making take out food! It’s always so much better, healthier, and cheaper. And a husband who surprises you with those goodies? Talk about a winner! 😉
Homemade & Yummy
He is a keeper….it’s been over 40 yers now.
Amanda Mason
Love EVERY single ingredient in this recipe!!! And I love that it’s gluten free AND packed with protein!! Great find here with this recipe! Thanks so much for posting it!!
Homemade & Yummy
Yup this is a nutritious recipe for sure. Hope you give it a try.
Mackenzie
That list of spices has me drooling! They’re some of my favorite to cook with and I’m always looking for more recipes to give me an excuse to use them! Can’t wait to make this!
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…hope you love this as much as we do.
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
This looks like it would be a great option for a quick, meatless weeknight dinner!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes this is perfect for a meatless meal. Hope you give it a try.
Courtney Lopez
Chana Masala is one of my favorite comfort foods, especially when the cold weather hits, I could so use a big bowl right now, so good! I am always excited to try new recipes and ways of creating it. Yours is a keeper for sure!
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much. Hope you enjoy this easy, delicious recipe as much as we do.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
Chana masala is one of my go-to meals for busy weeknights! So delicious and my family loves it! It’s delicious served with rice or quinoa!
Homemade & Yummy
This is such a quick an easy meal to make…and totally agree, love the rice too.
Lisa | Garlic + Zest
For whatever stupid reason, I’ve always reserved Indian food for takeout or a restaurant — it intimidates me and I don’t know why. I mean, when you say “chickpea stew” I’m not intimidated at all — but you go all “chana masala” on me and I freak out! I promise… I will take a deep breath and embark on this one because it looks too good to resist. Thanks for opening my eyes!
Homemade & Yummy
HAHHA…you are too funny. Seriously give this a try. SOOOO easy and delicious.
dixya @food, pleasure, and health
chana masala is one of my favorites too..and sometimes i like to add spinach to it 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
I think adding spinach is a great idea.
Brandy
We live in a very rural area and fast food is few and far between, I love being able to have a quick and healthy meal on the table in 30 minutes! Looks like I have all the ingredients on hand.
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…we sure do.
Julia
I am also a carb fanatic! I need my bread and my carbs! This stew looks wonderful, I love chickpeas so it looks like something I would love also, although I’ve never tried it before.
Homemade & Yummy
Well hope you do….so easy and delicious.
Isadora Guidoni
This is perfect for people like me, with busy schedules for work and study. It’s a healthy meal, quick and easy to make, and it’s delicious. Thank you!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes this is a weeknight winner for sure.