This easy vegan chickpea curry is a healthy dinner which also makes great leftovers for lunches and simple dinners. Serve with a drizzle of coconut milk to make it extra creamy.
This is one of those dinners that we couldn't stop raving about 🤩
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Will even messaged me the next day while I was at work to tell me that he couldn't stop thinking about how good it was. And I totally agreed with him.
I first made this on a Monday night when I really needed comfort food. Comfort food can come in various forms for me but I think something hearty with a bit of spice is pretty much the ultimate on a cold weeknight in March.
Will made a quick roti which was drenched in butter and worked perfectly with the rich spiciness of the curry and the whole thing was enough to put a massive smile on my face.
Why we love this chickpea curry with coconut milk:
- First of all it's vegan which makes it great for when you're avoiding animal products, we aim to eat vegan once or twice a week for environmental reasons and with this kind of recipe we never miss the meat
- Apart from the coriander leaves for serving this recipe is made from entirely pantry ingredients which is one of the most dreamy things about it because you can make it even when you can't be bothered to go out for fresh ingredients
- It's also gluten free so if you're avoiding gluten then this recipe is still great for you
Low Fat Healthy Chickpea and Coconut Curry
This curry is such a healthy dinner option. They're an excellent source of protein and fibre which make them perfect for vegan and vegetarian cooking plus they're low in fat and contain plenty of vitamins. The rest of the curry is made with vegetables, spices and coconut milk for a healthy main course.
What spices do I need to make a curry?
I absolutely adore the spices used in a curry which includes turmeric, curry powder and cumin along with chilli, garlic and ginger for a super flavourful curry. I then topped the curry with an oil spiced with chilli flakes and cumin seeds for an extra kick.
Feel free to adjust the quantities used in the curry to get it just how you like it, especially when it comes to the amount of chilli. You could also add garam masala and ground coriander for extra spice flavour.
What vegetables can you add to curry?
To keep this curry a completely store cupboard friendly recipe I just used tinned chopped tomatoes, garlic and chilli but you could add spinach, kale or any other vegetable you like to this curry. Aubergine or courgette would also be delicious.
How to thicken chickpea coconut curry?
To thicken the sauce for this curry I like to add some red lentils which cook into the sauce and enrich it along with the coconut milk to make a really satisfying and tasty curry.
Chickpea Curry with Coconut Milk Ingredients:
- Spices & Aromatics: This curry kicks off with onion, garlic, ginger and chilli and then you need to add all your spices which includes turmeric, curry powder and cumin for the most amazingly flavourful base to your curry. Use extras to make this whole roasted cauliflower
- Chickpeas: I used tinned in this curry which makes it super quick and easy
- Vegetable Stock: Again, store bought works fine but if you have homemade then feel free to use that instead
- Red Lentils: I love using red lentils because they cook so quickly. Use the leftovers to make this red lentil dal
- Coconut Milk: I like full fat but switch out for a low fat version if you prefer
- Spiced Oil: This is drizzled over the curry before serving and is made with chilli flakes and cumin seeds
Chickpea Coconut Curry Instructions:
- Fry the aromatics: Heat the oil over a medium heat, add the onion and cook until softened. Add the garlic, ginger and spices and fry for another couple of minutes.
- Simmer the chickpeas: Add the chickpeas to the pot followed by the stock and simmer for about 10 minutes then add the lentils and coconut milk and cook for another 10 minutes.
- Make the spiced oil: Heat the oil over a medium heat and add the chilli flakes and cumin seeds and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and drizzle over the curry before serving.
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Can you make this recipe in the slow cooker?
To make this curry in the slow cooker simply add all the ingredients except the oil, chilli flakes, cumin seeds and fresh coriander to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve topped with the spiced oil and coriander.
How to freeze this curry?
You can definitely freeze this curry, in fact I think it tastes even better when the flavours have had time to develop. Simply put into containers and freeze until ready to use.
Want more? Try these other vegetarian curry recipes!
- Vegan Thai Green Curry
- Pressure Cooker Vegetable Curry
- Tofu Katsu Curry
- Spicy Halloumi Curry with Potato
- Creamy Cauliflower Curry in the Pressure Cooker
Or try out some of these delicious chickpea recipes!
Recipe
Chickpea Curry with Coconut Milk
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1 Onion chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic crushed
- 2 teaspoon Ginger grated
- 1 Red Chilli deseeded and chopped
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Curry Powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 2 400g tins Chickpeas
- 1.2 litres Vegetable Stock
- 200 g Red Lentils
- 1 400g tin Coconut Milk
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1 teaspoon Chilli Flakes
- 1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
- Fresh Coriander
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over a medium heat and add the onion, fry for 5 minutes then add the garlic, ginger, chilli, turmeric, curry powder and cumin and fry for another couple of minutes until everything is softened.
- Add the chickpeas and stir to coat in the spices then pour over the stock and simmer for 15 minutes until the chickpeas are starting to break down.
- Pour in all but 2 tablespoons of the coconut milk and the lentils and then cook for another 10 minutes.
- Heat the tablespoon of oil in a small saucepan and add the chilli flakes and cumin seeds, cook for 30 seconds then add the oil to the dahl. Add more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve with roti and a drizzle of coconut milk and fresh coriander.
Notes
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Ray says
That’s a lovely recipe I had mine with cook-at-home pappadums and extra chilli flakes.
Thanks
Tina says
Lately I have really gotten into chickpeas. I love them. Saving this, I can tell my hubby and I will love this. Thanks for this!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
I love a good homemade curry! We always have chickpeas in the house, but I get stuck as to what to do with them, this curry looks like the perfect thing to make with them!
kim says
I absolutely loved this recipe! So much yummy flavor and it was so easy!
Kelly Anthony says
Your pictures really highlight your chickpea curry dish. It has me craving some spicy comfort food.
Noelle Simpson says
This was perfect on a tortilla, I love the curry flavor!