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
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.
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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.
Kate
Chana Masala is one of my favourite takeaway dishes, but I’ve never tried making it at home – thanks for the recipe, can’t wait to try it!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
This is super easy to make. Dinner is ready in under 30 minutes. ENJOY!
Allyssa
Thank you so much for this amazing and really delicious chana masala recipe! It’s super easy to make! Will surely have this again, Highly recommended!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
So glad you liked this chana masala recipe. You are welcome!
Linda
I found this looking for quick weeknight meals. Just made it and it was delicious! Even my picky kid enjoyed it!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Well this is such an easy and meal to make. So glad your family enjoyed it.
Jeri
I made this chickpea chana masala recipe for meatless Monday, and my whole family loved it! It was so quick and easy to make! I will definitely be making it again! Plus, my husband was so impressed I made Indian cuisine! Thanks!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I love cooking the flavours of the world in my kitchen. So glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Jessica
This is my kind of meal; simple and with all those spices, no doubt flavorful. I can’t recall ever trying a curry with chickpeas so that will be new to me. I think I’ll give it a shot this Friday – it’s supposed to get down into the 30’s here. Thanks so much!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome. This chickpea curry is ready in no time. ENJOY!
Liz
So much easier than my usual recipe and just as delicious!! We all loved it!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Sometimes simple is just as good right? We love this recipe too.
Claudia Lamascolo
My goodness, this is fantastic since I don’t eat meat at all I am absolutely so excited to make this today!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
This is the perfect meal for a meat-free dinner.
Trish Bozeman
Yay for easy weeknight and meatless meals! We rarely eat meat and I’m always so excited when I find a delicious recipe that can become a staple in our house. Love the Indian flavors and the chickpeas. SO GOOD!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This is such an easy meal. I like to make lots…so I have some leftovers for lunch too.
Jenni LeBaron
I am totally craving warm and hearty dishes like this right now. This chana masala sounds like it will warm bellies and also the house up wonderfully. I just need a warm piece of pita or flatbread and I am a happy girl!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I love the fact this can be made faster than pizza delivery. Budget-friendly and super delicious too.
Dana
I was *just* talking about getting chickpeas this week to make something like this! I’m craving the warmth and heaviness of a curry/stew and with loads of chickpeas, it’s just so wholesome. Get me some naan or pita and I’m set.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This is a favourite around here. Easy to make. Leftovers are great too.
M. F. Stewart
I’m always buying chickpeas and then I don’t know what to do with them. Well, I saw your recipe and I was craving something spicy and different. Your recipe certainly did satisfy! I even had enough left over for lunch.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This is such an easy recipe to prepare…and leftovers are great as you can see. So glad you enjoyed it.
Carmy
I keep seeing that cookbook at my local library – I love how they have corresponding videos for the recipes. I’ll have to check it out the next time I see it on the shelf! Love how quick this recipe is to throw together!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
It really is a great one for your collection. I just used it again yesterday. There is a link in the post.
Sarah
I love Chana masala!! I even make it when we go camping- it’s so good! You use slightly different spices than I do- I’ll have to try your version!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This is perfect to make when you go camping. Super easy!!
Jim
The wife made this for me last night and I started to complain about no meat!! But one taste kept me quiet because it had plenty of taste and very satisfying. We have some extra and I’m eating it for lunch tomorrow.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I am so glad you loved this recipe as much as we do. Super easy to make….and perfect for a meatless meal that is totally satisfying.
Jacqueline Meldrum
I love chana masala although I just call it chickpea curry. I usually grind spices but this is definitely quicker. I’ll have to try your version.
Sharing it now 🙂
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much for sharing. I hope you give this a try….and calling it chickpea curry is just fine!!