Indian Coconut Chickpea Curry (Easy Vegan Recipe)
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This Indian Coconut Chickpea Curry recipe is naturally vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free. It is super flavorful and is so healthy, hearty, and easy to make! It makes an ideal dinner for busy weeknights, because it is ready to eat in just 30 minutes. Learn how to make homemade coconut chickpea curry with this quick and simple recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Coconut Chickpea Curry Recipe
You are going to love this rich, creamy curry made with chickpeas, coconut milk and fresh spinach. It is packed with protein and nutrition and is so unbelievably simple to make. Best of all, you probably already have all of the ingredients sitting in your pantry!
Normally when you read Indian recipes, they include a large number of spices in the ingredient list that many people donโt readily have on hand. So, I developed a recipe that uses curry powder, which contains a variety of fragrant Indian spices that have been ground up and mixed together in one handy package. Only a small amount of curry powder is used in this recipe. That way the chickpea curry has just the slightest hint of warm Indian spices, without being overly spicy.
This healthy Indian Coconut Chickpea Curry recipe is ideal for busy weeknights, because it delivers maximum flavor in minimal time. Serve it with steamed basmati rice, warm naan, or flatbread for a complete, satisfying dinner when you are in the mood for something exotic.
This recipe would be great for entertaining or taking along to a potluck. Since it is naturally vegan and gluten-free, it is suitable for many people following special diets. It is also perfect for meal prepping, so feel free to make a batch ahead of time to have on hand for the coming week.
How to Make Chickpea Coconut Curry
This chickpea curry with coconut milk is one of those recipes that tastes like youโve simmered it gently for hours. Luckily, it takes less time to make than your favorite Indian restaurant takes to deliver.ย To make this homemade coconut chickpea curry recipe, simply:
- Make the flavor base: Cook the onion, garlic, ginger, and curry powder in a bit of coconut oil until fragrant.
- Stir in the liquids: Add the crushed tomatoes and coconut milk, then simmer.
- Add the chickpeas and spinach: Season the curry sauce with S&P to taste, then stir in the chickpeas and spinach.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, if desired, then serve the chickpea curry with rice and/or flatbread.
Thatโs it! This is truly a foolproof, easy curry recipe that is absolutely bursting with flavor. See the full recipe below for detailed ingredient amounts and complete recipe instructions/directions.
Possible Recipe Variations
This coconut chickpea curry recipe is incredibly flexible with regards to variations. For example, feel free toโฆ
- Add more seasoning: For a more intense curry flavor, you can increase the amount of curry powder to your liking or add in some garam masala.
- Use different greens: Kale or collard greens would also be delicious in place of the spinach.
- Add some heat: To give the curry a more piquant flavor, you can add in a few pinches of cayenne powder or crushed red pepper flakes.
- Add extra veggies: Feel free to toss in any other mild curry-friendly veggies that you have on hand, such as bell peppers, zucchini, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, or peas.
Those are just a few suggestions, so feel free to experiment with whatever ingredient swaps or additions that sound good to you.
Can You Freeze Chickpea Curry?
Yes! I recommend separating a batch of curry or leftovers into smaller portions in freezer-safe containers. Then place the containers in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator or out on the counter for quick dinners during extra-busy weeknights.
More Coconut Curry Recipes
Craving more coconut curry? Here are some of my favorite recipes:
- Easy Chicken Coconut Curry
- Thai Coconut Curry Rice
- Coconut Lentil Curry
- Thai Soup with Coconut Milk
- Mixed Vegetable Coconut Curry
If you make this easy Indian Coconut Chickpea Curry recipe, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating โ below, because I love hearing from you! โก
Indian Coconut Chickpea Curry (Easy Vegan Recipe!)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 4 cups chopped packed fresh spinach
- Optional garnish: Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sautรฉ for 4 minutes until softened.
- Add the garlic, ginger and curry powder and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomatoes and coconut milk. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in chickpeas and spinach. Cook for about 3 minutes, until spinach is wilted.
- Serve warm, garnished with cilantro if using.
Nutrition
Notes
- Serve your coconut chickpea curry with rice or flatbread for a satisfying meal.
- Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for about a week or can be frozen for up to three months.
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Oh, this sounds so good! I love a recipe that comes together so quickly and is easy. And spicy! Yum. And, youโre right, I have all these ingredients right in my pantry! Thanks for the recipe!
Aw thanks so much Laura!! Now you have no excuse not to try it sometime! ๐ Hehe. You’re welcome!!
can I use olive oil instead of coconut oil?
You sure can!
I love me a good curry recipe!! Yours looks so rich and thick. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Marcy! Thanks so much! And you are very welcome! ๐
Made this for my family tonight! It was wonderful! Tomorrow we are making naan to go with this dish!
Do you think some roasted veggie may be good with it? What would you or the group recommend?
Hi Sarah! That’s great, thanks so much! Yes roasted veggies (like carrots, broccoli, potatoes or asparagus) would go great with this recipe. I also like to serve this curry with rice and a big mixed green salad!
I have made this recipe with the chickpeas and also replaced the chickpeas with chicken qnd added shredded carrots…Oh my sooo yummy! Thanks for an awesome recipe!! This is my new fav!
Hi Sarah! I’m so glad you like the recipe! You’re very welcome! Thanks for letting me know. ๐
I did this today and added just a handful of red lentils and it was deliciously creamy and thick!
Really love it and so so easy!
Hi Danielle! I’m so glad you liked the curry recipe! Thanks for your kind words!
Best ever, I used coconut cream instead of coconut milk. Wow!
Hi John, thanks so much! I am so glad you liked the curry! ๐
I just made this dish for dinner tonight. It is so good! It was quick and easy to put together and paired with Stonefire naan, delicious! I didn’t change anything since this was the first time I made it. It comes together so nicely that I probably won’t ever change it.
Hi Rita! That makes me so happy! Thanks so much for your kind words and for letting me know!
Easy and delicious.
Thanks so much Laurie! ๐
I made your recipe this evening for my folks and myself, the only thing I added was 1/2 a vegetable stock cube.
We happily had your dish with a crisp naan bread, leaving us with 3 full and content bellies!
Thank You, so much!
Hi Paulina, thank you so much for letting me know. I’m very happy you enjoyed the chickpea curry! And you’re very welcome, be sure to let me know if you make any of my other recipes! ๐
Great easy recipe! I toasted the chickpeas first and used curry, garam marsala, cumin, and turmeric. It made a big difference from the last time I made it following this recipe. ๐
Thank you Patrice! The changes you made to the curry recipe sound delicious. ๐