Chickpeas Curry - Channa Masala (20 Mins) Video

Name: Chickpeas Curry - Channa Masala
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3 cups Chickpeas (precooked or 2 x 15 oz cans); 2 tbsp Cooking oil (or ghee); 3 Bay leaves; 4 Curry leaves ((optional)); ½ cup Coconut milk; 1 tbsp Tomato paste; 2 Medjool date (chopped fine); 1 tbsp Tamarind paste; ½ tsp Salt; ¼ tsp Black pepper; 1 cup Onion (roughly chopped ); 1 tbsp Garlic (chopped); 1 tbsp Ginger (chopped); 2 whole dried sweet Paprika (or (1 tsp powder)); 1 whole dried hot Paprika (or (1 tsp powder)); 1 tbsp Coriander powder; 1 tsp Cumin powder; ½ tsp Garam masala powder; ¼ tsp Turmeric powder

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Channa masala is an Indian chickpea curry. This simple and easy recipe combines sweet, spicy, and tangy. Made with canned chickpeas, coconut milk, and a few Indian spices, this recipe takes only 15 minutes to cook. And it is absolutely delicious over my coconut turmeric rice.

A bowl with turmeric rice and chickpeas curry. — Masala Curry made with Chickpeas called Channa.

The humble chickpeas are also known as garbanzo beans. They are called hummus in Arabic and channa in the Indian language. So, now you know that the famous channa masala means chickpea curry. Channa is chickpeas, and masala is curry.

If you’ve eaten channa masala in an Indian restaurant, then you know it’s a wonderful combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy in a rich, deep orange sauce.

And unlike my other Indian recipes, where I try to make it as simple and easy as possible using easy-to-find ingredients, I’ve tried to bring you a little more authenticity in this recipe.

Why make this channa masala?

It’s authentic and delicious. While these are easy-to-find ingredients, they are best used without substitutes. For example, you can use paprika powder, but to keep this authentic, I have used the dry rehydrated paprika, which gives a deep, wonderful color and flavor. And the dates add a touch of sweetness, while the tamarind gives that distinct tang you don’t get from vinegar or lemon juice.
The recipe is fairly simple; you don’t need to chop many veggies because you just blend them in a food processor.
The cooking itself takes 15 minutes because we use pre-cooked chickpeas or canned chickpeas.
Today, I have served it over my flavorful coconut turmeric rice. But it is also absolutely delicious with fresh roti, chapati, or even plain steamed rice.

A skillet with curry made with chickpeas. — Masala Curry made with Chickpeas called Channa.

Ingredients and substitutes

Chickpeas – We need precooked chickpeas. I am using ones that have been homemade, soaked, and then boiled. But you can also use 2 x 15 oz of canned chickpeas.
Paprika – I love using dried, rehydrated paprika, but you can certainly use paprika powder. You can also use all sweet paprika or more hot paprika if you prefer.
Coconut milk – This is coconut milk, not cream. And if you have to use cream, use just 1/4 cup cream with 1/4 cup water, or it will be too rich.
Tomato paste – I love the color and richness that the paste adds without all the skin and tomato juice. But you can certainly use 1 cup of finely chopped tomatoes. Make sure to saute it until the tomatoes are cooked thoroughly.
Date – I’ve used a large Medjool date, but you can use any dates. About 2 tbsp finely chopped should be good.
Tamarind paste – Very commonly used in Asian or Indian cooking. And if you don’t have tamarind, use 1 tsp of vinegar or 1 tbsp of lemon juice.

Ingredients needed to make the chickpeas curry channa masala. — Masala Curry made with Chickpeas called Channa.

Step-by-step instructions

Masala paste

Dehydrated paprika – Soak the sweet and hot paprika in a bowl with hot water for 10 minutes. Then, remove and discard the seeds.
Pro tip – If you like it spicy, you can keep the seeds. Use gloves when working with paprika or chilies to prevent hot fingers.
In a food processor or blender, blend the onion, garlic, ginger, and both the soaked paprika using some of the coconut milk or water to help blend the paste.
Then, add the powders: coriander, cumin, garam masala, and turmeric, and blend them to a smooth paste. Set aside.

Saute the channa masala

In a heavy-bottom saute pan or cast-iron skillet, saute the prepared paste in cooking oil until fragrant. Then, add the remaining coconut milk and cook for 2 minutes more.
Pro tip – Keep the heat medium to low to prevent the spices from burning. Add a little water if necessary, but cook until you get a nice aroma from the spices.
Next, add the bay leaves, curry powder, and tomato paste and bring it to a boil. Then, add the chopped date and tamarind paste – saute for 2 minutes, mashing the date so it almost disappears into the thick sauce.
Pro tip – If you find the dates and tamarind a bit dry, soak them in some hot water to soften them before adding them to the sauce. This will help them blend easily.

Progress pictures collage cooking the chickpeas curry. — Masala Curry made with Chickpeas called Channa

Finally, add the cooked chickpeas. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and let cook on medium-low for 10 minutes.
Pro tip – The chickpeas are already cooked, but we want them to soak up some of the sauce. So, cook for at least 10 minutes. If necessary, add a little water to prevent it from burning at the bottom.
Taste and adjust seasoning and consistency. Add water for more gravy and cook a little more to evaporate excess moisture.
Pro tip – Gravy is great if you are serving this over rice. I like it thicker in consistency when serving with Indian bread such as naan, chapati, or roti.
Lastly, garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

Channa masala in a black cast iron skillet. — Masala Curry made with Chickpeas called Channa

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Frequently asked questions

How long will this channa masala keep?

This channa masala recipe will keep in the fridge for 5 to 6 days. You can also freeze it for up to a month.

Can I use dried chickpeas for this channa masala?

You can use dried chickpeas, but you will need to rehydrate and cook them before you add them to this recipe. Chickpeas need to be soaked overnight to be rehydrated and then cooked in boiled water until tender.

How do you cook chickpeas?

Soak the chickpeas in water overnight.
Drain them the next morning.
Put them in a large pot and top with fresh water about an inch higher than the chickpeas.
Bring the pot to a boil. Then, lower the heat to gently simmer for two hours or until the chickpeas are tender.
Make sure there is always enough liquid in there.

Do I have to use chickpeas?

Channa means ‘chickpeas’ in India, so this is a chickpea curry. But, of course, you can use other beans and make a bean curry instead, using this recipe.

What do you serve this channa masala recipe or chickpea curry with?

This is absolutely delicious on its own. Today, I have served it with coconut turmeric rice, but steamed rice works just as well. Also, Indian chapati, roti, or naan are perfect with this.

Veena Azmanov