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Chickpea and Spinach Curry served with fresh cilantro
Spicy chickpeas with spinach, Indian style

Chickpea and Spinach Curry (Chana Saag)

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses
Chana Masala is a North Indian classic celebrating chickpeas and rich spices. Adding spinach (palak/saag) makes this dish not only more colorful but nutrient-dense. The secret lies in the 'masala' base: slowly browning onions, ginger, and garlic, then blooming spices to create that deep, complex flavor profile we love. A perfect vegetarian main that is filling and warming.
🕒 Prep Time 20 mins
🍳 Cook Time 40 mins
⌛ Total Time 1 hr
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 420 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Indian

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Large pot or deep skillet
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Lemon squeezer

Instructions

1 ✓

Rinse and drain the canned chickpeas thoroughly.

Tip: If using dry chickpeas, soak overnight and boil until tender with a pinch of baking soda.
2 ✓

Dice the onion and tomatoes. Mince the garlic and wash the spinach.

Tip: Good prep (mise en place) makes cooking smoother as spices burn quickly.
3 ✓

Heat oil in a large pot. Add onion and sauté until golden brown. Then add garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 more minute.

Tip: Deeply browning the onions creates a rich base flavor for the curry.
4 ✓

Add cumin, turmeric, chili powder, coriander, and garam masala. Stir quickly in the oil, then immediately add the tomatoes.

Tip: The moisture from tomatoes stops the spices from burning while releasing their aroma.
5 ✓

Cook the tomato base for 5-8 minutes until tomatoes break down and oil starts to separate at the edges.

Tip: Oil separation indicates the water has evaporated and flavors are concentrated.
6 ✓

Add chickpeas and about 1/2 cup of water if too thick. Salt, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.

Tip: Allow chickpeas to absorb the spiced sauce.
7 ✓

Finally, stir in the spinach and wilt it (2-3 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.

Tip: Add lemon at the end so the heat doesn't dull its acidity.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes, but thaw and squeeze out excess water before adding, otherwise the curry becomes watery.
What is Garam Masala?
An Indian spice blend usually containing cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and pepper. Available in the spice aisle of most supermarkets.

Ingredients

  • 2 cans (15 oz each) Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)
  • 7 oz Fresh Spinach
  • 1 large Red Onion
  • 2 medium Ripe Tomatoes
  • 3 cloves Garlic
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Ginger, grated
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp Chili Powder (to taste)
  • 1 tsp Ground Coriander
  • 1 tsp Garam Masala
  • 2 tbsp Coconut Oil or Vegetable Oil
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 tsp Salt