Indian Chana Masala Recipe

Spice up your life with this fiery and flavorful Indian Chana Masala recipe! This vibrant chickpea curry is surprisingly healthy and incredibly easy to make in just 20 minutes. Enjoy it as a hearty curry served over fluffy rice or nestled in warm paratha bread. For an extra creamy kick, top with a dollop of plain yogurt and fresh cilantro. Get ready for a taste explosion! Inspired by RecipeDelights.com.

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Calories 244.9 kcal
Protein 12g
Rating 4.8 (16 Reviews)
Indian Chana Masala 23

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Indian Chana Masala

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Indian Chana Masala? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Indian Chana Masala

  1. Finely chop 1 medium onion, 1 medium tomato, and 2-3 green chilies (adjust to your spice preference).
  2. In a food processor, blend the chopped onion, tomato, green chilies, 1 inch ginger, and 2 cloves garlic into a smooth paste.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan or pot over medium heat. Add 2-3 bay leaves and fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the onion-tomato paste to the pan and fry, stirring frequently, until it turns a deep golden brown (about 5-7 minutes).
  5. Stir in 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste), 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, 1/2 teaspoon garam masala, and salt to taste.
  6. Mix thoroughly to combine all the spices with the paste.
  7. Continue frying for another 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, to allow the spices to bloom.
  8. Add 1 cup of water (or more, to reach your desired gravy consistency).
  9. Bring the gravy to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
  10. Add 1 (15-ounce) can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed).
  11. Stir well, cover, and simmer over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  12. Garnish with 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped cilantro and serve hot with rice or paratha. Optional: Top with 1 teaspoon of plain yogurt per serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

13 g

Sugar

10g

Fat

7g

Carbs

10g