← Indian Cuisine

Chickpea Curry (Chana Masala)

☆☆☆☆☆ 0 · 0 reviews · Write a review

Punchy, aromatic and properly cheap — the chickpea curry that taught me you don't need meat for a curry to feel like dinner. Serve with rice, flatbread, or just a spoon and the saucepan.

Prep 10 mins
Cook 25 mins
Servings 4
Difficulty Easy
Per serving £0.81

Approx £3.26 total based on typical supermarket prices in GB. See yours →

S by Steven Tobin · Published 4 May 2026
Chickpea Curry (Chana Masala)

The recipe

Instructions

  1. 1
    Heat the oil in a heavy pan and cook the chopped onions on a medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring often, until deep golden.
  2. 2
    Add the garlic, ginger and all the ground spices except the garam masala. Stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. 3
    Tip in the chopped tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, mashing with the back of the spoon, until thick and jammy.
  4. 4
    Add the drained chickpeas and water. Simmer for 12-15 minutes until the sauce coats the chickpeas.
  5. 5
    Stir in the garam masala, taste for salt, and serve with rice or warm flatbreads.

Reviews

No reviews yet. Made this recipe? Be the first to share how it went.

Sign in to leave a review.

S

About Steven Tobin

Steven is the founder, recipe developer, and chief washer-upper at Budget Dinner Recipes. A passionate home cook from a big foodie family, he's spent years collecting and perfecting recipes from across the world — from Malaysian laksas and Kenyan curries to weeknight British classics. Family meals are at the heart of e…

View all recipes by Steven Tobin →

Tags