Who needs takeout when you can make this easy Chana Masala Recipe? Gluten-free, packed with protein, and ready to eat in under 30 minutes.
Garam masala spice, chickpeas and tomatoes produce a simple chickpea stew that is a hearty budget-friendly meal.
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? This super easy chickpea recipe is a favourite around here.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this vegan chana masala can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
If you are like me, cooking once and eating twice or more makes life easier in the kitchen.
For This Chickpea Recipe You Will Need:
- Chickpeas – I used canned but you can cook dry chickpeas ahead of time if you prefer.
- Tomatoes – canned diced tomatoes work well. If you have any roasted tomatoes in the freezer they would be perfect for this recipe.
- Water
- Onion – I like white onions, but any onion will do.
- Garlic – Fresh is best, but powdered works if you don’t have any on hand.
- Ghee – Olive oil or coconut oil are great substitiues.
- Curry Powder – mild or hot depending you, your preference.
- Garam Masala – easily found in the grocery store.
- Chili Powder – hot or mild works.
- Fresh Ginger – fresh is best for this recipe, but again powdered works in a pinch. You will have to adjust the amount.
- Garnish – parlsey or cilantro.
What Is Garam Masala?
It is a blend of spices that usually consist of:
- cumin
- coriander
- green cardamom
- black cardamom
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- cloves
- bay leaves
- peppercorns
- fennel
- mace
- dried chilies
There are many combinations and variations to this spice blend. The spices are generally toasted, then ground to a powder. You can for sure make your own homemade blend. I like to try different blends from stores and speciality markets. They are different every time. It adds so much flavour to dishes. Warm, sweet with only a touch of heat.
Making Chana Masala Is So Easy
This is a one-pot chana masala recipe. Well, ok if you are cooking the chickpeas from scratch, it will be more than one pot. As I said, I use canned chickpeas for convenience (so much easier).
30 Minutes to Dinner:
- If you are making rice, get that cooking. This is an option, but I recommend it.
- 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.
- Your rice should be ready, your bread should be warm.
- Put some rice in a bowl, spoon the chana masala over the rice. Grab some naan. DIG IN!
OMG, how fast is that? Most people are still debating which pizza they want to order. Simple right?
This recipe was adapted from (affiliate) Yum & Yummer.
Healthy Chickpea Recipes
What is chana masala? It 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.
This vegan-friendly dish is perfect for the plant-based diet craze. 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.
A healthy ingredient to work with, chickpeas are filled with fibre, vitamins, and minerals. You can cook them from dry if you like, but for the most part, I use canned organic chickpeas.
Do you consume chickpeas on a regular basis? They work well in chili, salads, and make the perfect snack. I usually munch away on them as I rinse them for recipes.
Some of our favourite ways to enjoy them are:
- Healthy Chickpea Salad
- Hot Italian Sausage and Apple Stuffed Squash
- Fall Flavours Apple Salad
- Greek Nachos and Creamy Hummus
- Chickpea Sandwich Wrap
Just in case you were wondering the difference between Chana Masala and Tiki Masala? Tiki masala is made with meat, usually chicken. Both contain the wonderful spicy sauce.
Serving and Storing
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). I would have no problem eating this with mashed potatoes too.
Place in sealed containers and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Can you freeze chana masala? YES!! This is the PERFECT batch recipe. Great to pop into containers or freezer bags for easy meals down the road. Budget-friendly too.
Easy Chana Masala Recipe
Ingredients
- 26 ounces canned chickpeas (rinse and drain)
- 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- ¾ cup water
- 1 cup onion (diced)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon ghee (or olive/coconut oil)
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon yellow curry powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (I used Aleppo Chiles)
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger (I used a micro plane for this)
- Parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Get all your 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. Dish over rice and serve.
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.