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Indian Butter Chickpeas Recipe

3.9 from 20 reviews

A rich and flavorful Indian Butter Chickpeas recipe that combines tender chickpeas simmered in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce. This vegetarian dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal, featuring aromatic spices like garam masala, cumin, and turmeric, finished with a touch of cream and fresh cilantro.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 540g chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 red onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 0.5 teaspoon chili powder or 1 red chili, diced
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 x 400g tin crushed tomatoes
  • 125ml heavy cream or coconut milk
  • ¼½ lemon juice
  • Chopped cilantro to garnish

Instructions

  1. Saute onions: Heat the butter in a pan over medium heat until melted. Add the diced onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and translucent.
  2. Add aromatics and spices: Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant. Then add the tomato paste along with turmeric, cumin, ground coriander, chili powder (or diced chili), garam masala, and salt. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring regularly to combine the spices well.
  3. Add tomatoes: Pour in the crushed tomatoes. At this point, if preferred, blend the sauce until smooth or leave it chunky according to taste.
  4. Simmer chickpeas: Stir in the drained chickpeas, and allow them to simmer gently in the spiced tomato sauce for about 10 minutes so they absorb the flavors.
  5. Finish with cream and lemon: Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream or coconut milk along with the lemon juice. Heat through gently without boiling, then remove from heat.
  6. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro on top before serving to add a fresh, vibrant flavor.

Notes

  • You can substitute coconut milk for a vegan or dairy-free version.
  • Adjust chili powder or fresh chili according to your spice preference.
  • Blending the sauce is optional and depends on your preferred texture.
  • Serve with basmati rice or warm naan bread for a complete meal.
  • Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day.

Keywords: Indian Butter Chickpeas, vegetarian curry, chickpea curry, Indian recipe, creamy chickpeas, easy dinner, spiced chickpeas