Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe (2024)

This quick and easy chickpea curry recipe is a staple for an easy weeknight dinner, made with chickpeas, spices and coconut milk. On the table in about 20 minutes.

Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe (1)

How to Make Coconut Chickpea Curry

I have an easy coconut chickpea curry recipe today for you, my friends. There are days when we are all in a hurry and we just don't have much time to cook. That doesn't stop us from wanting spicy food, though. Right?

Of course not!

We want spicy food with big flavor in a hurry. We want it now! This particular recipe will most definitely deliver on that desire.

We're talking my Easy Chickpea Curry recipe, and it's going to become a new go-to in your recipe collection. It's chickpea curry in a hurry!

Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe (2)

This is a vegetarian and vegan curry recipe, though it's easy to customize. You can add in chicken if you'd like, as well as shrimp or even lamb for a non-vegan option.

Let's talk about how to make chickpea curry, shall we?

Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe (3)

Chickpea Curry Ingredients

  • Oil. For cooking. Use olive oil or coconut oil.
  • Vegetables. Onion, green onion, garlic, ginger, chilies. For the chilies, I'm using jalapeno and serrano, but you can use milder chilies to your preference.
  • Spices. Curry powder, paprika, salt and ground black pepper.
  • Curry Paste.
  • Coconut Milk. Use full fat for more flavor.
  • Chickpeas. I'm using canned, drained and rinsed.
  • For Serving. Cooked rice, fresh chopped cilantro or parsley, lime wedges, spicy chili flakes
Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe (4)

How to Make Chickpea Curry - the Recipe Steps

Oil. First, heat a large pan or wok to medium-high heat and add 1 teaspoon oil.

Cook the Vegetables. Add your peppers and onion. Cook them down about 5 minutes, until the peppers and onions have softened.

Next, add in the garlic, ginger and the green onions. Cook another minute, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant.

Curry Spices and Curry Paste. Add in the curry powder,paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Give it a stir.

Stir in the curry paste and cook it for a minute.

Coconut Milk. Add your coconut milk and stir. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat.

Simmer the Curry. Simmer and continue to cook for 10 minutes or more to let the flavors develop, stirring occasionally. The curry sauce will thicken up a bit.

Processing Tip. You can process the sauce in a food processor at this point if you'd like a smoother sauce, or just continue.

Add the Chickpeas. Stir in the chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans) and warm them through for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serving Chickpea Curry

Serve the easy chickpea curry over prepared white rice if desired, then squeeze a bit of fresh lime juice over the top.

Top with fresh cilantro or parsley, lime wedges, spicy chili flakes. Basmati rice is great here. It's a lot like chana masala.

BOOM! Done! Super easy, right? Quick and easy recipes are the best. Hey, we're busy today! I get it.

Refer to the video in the recipe card. It details all the steps to make the chickpea curry. I hope it helps! I love a good coconut curry.

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Recipe Tips and Notes

Recipe Variations

This is probably my favorite easy chickpea curry for the sheer simplicity of it. But if you're super hungry and want to vary it up, this particular recipe is perfect to use as a base.

Consider adding a meat to the recipe. I've made this with chicken, lamb and pork and it always comes out flavorful. Consider shrimp as either an add on or to swap in. I love this recipe with shrimp. The combination of both shrimp and chickpeas is flavorful and still low calorie.

Adding Shrimp. To add shrimp, simply tuck the raw shrimp (peeled and deveined) into the sauce and simmer 5-10 minutes, until cooked through. Cooking time can vary depending on the size of the shrimp.

Vegan and Vegetarian Options. If you'd like to keep it vegan, try sweet potato, eggplant or lentils. You can easily slip in broccoli or some green leafy vegetables like spinach or kale. It's also tasty with tofu.

Add Tomatoes. Add diced tomatoes for another spin. Tomatoes are commonly used in curries and I enjoy them.

To be honest, you can pretty easily include any number of vegetables you'd like to use up. Zucchini, anyone? Of course!

Peppers and Spices

This recipe calls for both curry paste and curry powders, as well as a jalapeno pepper and serrano pepper. The curry paste and curry powder can be found at most supermarkets, though you may need to seek them out at a specialty store.

It's worth it, though, to have them in your collection of ingredients. Or you can just make your own curry paste like I do.

Any curry paste will do, whether it is green, yellow, or red curry paste. However, each will have its own flavor profile. I prefer to use either red or yellow curry paste, depending on my mood.

I used my own Yellow Curry Paste Recipe here, as well as this simple curry seasoning blend, though there are many to choose from. Garam masala is a popular addition, though I didn't use any here. I've opted for the double whammy of curry paste and curry powder. It's just the right combination for me.

Hey, spice is life! Try as many as you can!

Heat Factor / Making Spicy Curry

I like to spice up my curries by adding in hotter chili peppers, like a habanero pepper or two, maybe a ghost pepper. You can adjust the seasonings and peppers to your own personal preferences.

If you're looking to keep it on the milder side, skip the serrano and stick with the jalapeno, or just use a mild bell pepper. You'll still get some wonderful flavor without all the heat.

Here are some common questions I've heard about this recipe and other curries.

What are the Differences Between Red Curry and Yellow Curry?

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The biggest differences between red curryand yellow curry is the heat level and choice of peppers. Red curries tend to be hotter than yellow curries, and use spicier red peppers as their base.

Yellow curries usually use milder chili peppers, and the inclusion of turmeric offers its vibrant yellow color.

What are some substitutes for Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas)?

Garbanzo Beans, aka "chickpeas", are a firm legume, round in shape, about 1/4" thick. If you can't find them for this recipe, or prefer to use another bean, try using any of the following:

  • Butter Beans
  • Lima Beans
  • Cannellini Beans (white kidney beans)
  • Great Northern Beans.

Curry Storage Information

Curry will last up to a week in the refrigerator if properly stored. Normal time frames for cooked foods last 4-7 days stored in the refrigerator. Store it in a sealed airtight container.

Just be sure to refrigerate the leftovers as quickly as possible, and never after 2 hours of sitting out.

That's it, my friends! I hope you like it. I love this recipe. In so many ways. It's definitely a creamy chickpea curry. And, it's dairy free.

Try Some of My Other Popular Curry Recipes

  • Chicken Tikka Masala
  • Chicken Korma
  • Chicken Saag
  • Spicy Beef Vindaloo
  • Spicy Thai Curry Chicken Soup
  • Coconut Chicken Curry
  • Khao Soi – Northern Thai Coconut Curry Soup
  • Thai Panang Curry
  • Thai Shrimp Curry
  • Red Lentil Curry
  • Green Curry
  • Sweet and Spicy Cashew Chicken
  • Curry Recipes
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If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.

Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe (8)

Print

Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe

This quick and easy chickpea curry recipe is a staple for an easy weeknight dinner, made with spices and coconut milk. On the table in about 20 minutes.

Save Recipe

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Thai

Keyword: curry, recipe, spicy, vegan, vegetarian

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Calories: 367kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Servings: 4

Tap or hover to scale

4.92 from 23 votes

Leave a Review

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or use coconut oil
  • 1 jalapeno pepper chopped
  • 1 serrano pepper chopped (if desired for extra heat)
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • ½ cup chopped green onions
  • 4 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder I use 2 tablespoons in mine!
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons curry paste
  • 14 ounces coconut milk
  • 16 ounces prepared chickpeas canned is great
  • Salt and pepper to taste

FOR SERVING: Cooked rice, fresh chopped cilantro or parsley, lime wedges, spicy chili flakes

    Instructions

    • Heat a large pan or wok to medium heat and add 1 teaspoon oil.

    • Add your peppers and onion. Cook them down about 5 minutes, until the peppers and onions have softened.

    • Next, add in the garlic, ginger and the green onions. Cook another minute, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant.

    • Add in the curry powder, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Give it a stir.

    • Stir in the curry paste and cook it for a minute.

    • Add your coconut milk and stir. Bring to a quick boil and reduce the heat. Simmer for 10 minutes or more to let the flavors develop. The curry sauce will thicken up a bit.

    • Stir in the chickpeas and warm them through for 5 minutes.

    • Serve the easy chickpea curry over prepared white rice if desired, then squeeze a bit of fresh lime juice over the top.

    • Top with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley, lime wedges, spicy chili flakes.

    Video

    Notes

    Heat Factor: Mild-Medium. You’ll get a decent spiciness from this mixture, though the coconut milk tempers it quite a bit. Add in extra serrano peppers or hotter peppers to up the heat factor.

    This recipe is vegetarian/vegan.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 367kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 8gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 19gSodium: 334mgPotassium: 542mgFiber: 7gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 2245IUVitamin C: 12.6mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 6mg

    Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe (9)

    Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

    Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    What does chickpea curry contain? ›

    About Chickpea Curry

    Coconut Chickpea Curry is a simple & fast one pot Indian dish of curried chickpeas made with coconut milk, tomatoes and store-bought ground spices. That said, you can absolutely change up some of the flavors of this beautiful curry.

    How to prepare chickpea? ›

    Place the chickpeas in a large bowl and cover them with water by a good few inches then leave them overnight (8 to 24 hours). Quick soaking method. This takes only 1 hour before cooking. Put the chickpeas in a large pot and cover them with plenty of water, bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.

    How to make curry creamier? ›

    Potato is delicious in curries and adds creaminess naturally. I also like to turn some dry coconut flakes to powder using a coffee grinder and add it in. It intensifies the coconut flavor and thickens at the same time. Lastly, the mother of all coconut curry thickeners is coconut flour.

    Does coconut milk thicken curry? ›

    For a rich and creamy curry, coconut milk or cream can be a fantastic thickening agent. They not only add creaminess but also a delightful tropical flavour. Simply pour in some coconut milk or cream and let it simmer until your sauce reaches the desired consistency.

    What are the main ingredients in chickpeas? ›

    Cooked chickpeas are 60% water, 27% carbohydrates, 9% protein and 3% fat (table). 75% of the fat content is unsaturated fatty acids for which linoleic acid comprises 43% of the total fat.

    How to make chickpea curry thicker? ›

    Add more or less vegetable broth based on your preferences. For example, add more vegetable broth if you like a more soupy and liquid curry. On the other hand, if you want a thicker curry, you can reduce the amount of vegetable broth or let the curry simmer for more than 30 minutes.

    How to make chickpeas quickly? ›

    The fastest way is to soak the chickpeas in hot water, this reduces the soaking time. Always soak the legumes and cook them thoroughly to avoid digestive issues. You have to first soak the chickpeas and then cook them on medium heat or pressure cook them. Force cooking chickpeas is not a good idea.

    Can you directly eat canned chickpeas? ›

    Canned chickpeas are pre-cooked chickpeas. You can eat canned chickpeas straight out of the can! (Just be sure to rinse them off before chowing down to wash out excess sodium) Otherwise, you can roast them or turn them into any number of delicious dishes, like these here.

    Do chickpeas need to be soaked before cooking? ›

    Before cooking, you will need to soak the beans. You can soak them overnight, if you have the time. Place them in a large bowl and cover with cold water. The chickpeas will expand to over double their size, so make sure you cover by several inches of water to allow for expansion.

    What cream do you use for curry? ›

    Clotted cream is amazing and it doesn't just have to be used on scones! By adding it to this curry it gives it that nice creamy flavour, but I do find it very subtle so its not over powering. Funny enough it makes it almost taste like a korma but has more of a tomato flavour than coconut.

    How do restaurants make curry so creamy? ›

    The actual sweetness and creaminess of such curries meanwhile, usually comes from fried onions and either cashews and/or dairy products. Instead of (or in addition to) onion, ground coconut may be used. White poppy seeds and/or watermelon seeds are also used in some creamy sauces.

    What thickens curry? ›

    Use wheat flour, rice flour, or coconut flour plus a fat (like ghee, olive oil, or coconut oil) in equal amounts. Cook both ingredients for a few minutes to cook out the raw flour taste, then add your curry ingredients. Once the whole curry dish comes to a boil, the sauce will thicken.

    When should I add coconut milk to a curry? ›

    Once the spices and veg have cooked, add in the coconut milk and a couple cups of chicken stock. Turn the heat up so it comes to a boil and then lower to about medium heat and cook for 10-15 minutes. Just until it starts to thicken! I normally do 10 minutes, but if you like a really thick sauce, take it longer.

    Should I use canned coconut milk for curry? ›

    Certainly! Coconut milk curries are rich and flavorful, and they pair well with a variety of side dishes and accompaniments.

    What to do if you put too much coconut milk in curry? ›

    If you're looking to reduce the coconut milk taste in a dish, here are a few tips. First, try adding a small amount of another liquid like chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even plain water.

    Is chickpea curry high in carbs? ›

    Approximately 67% of the calories in chickpea comes from carbs, while the rest comes from protein and fat. Overconsumption of chickpea curry can therefore cause spikes in blood sugar levels. It can also lead to hyperglycemia in diabetics.

    Is chickpea a vegetable or carb? ›

    They are part of the legume family which counts as a vegetable and protein food. Chickpeas are loaded with fiber needed for a healthy heart and gut. They are also an excellent source of folate and good source of iron which are both important for cellular health.

    Is chickpea good or bad for you? ›

    Chickpeas are high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats and have a low GI. Potential benefits of chickpeas include helping control blood sugar, manage weight, and support heart and gut health. Chickpeas are versatile, so you can add them to many savory or sweet meals and snacks.

    What vitamins are in chickpea curry? ›

    The fiber, potassium, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and selenium in chickpeas all support heart health. Fiber helps decrease the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels in the blood.

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