Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp oil – I use olive oil, but any cooking oil works
- 1 pint sliced cherry tomatoes – Sweet and juicy; can swap for 1 can diced tomatoes if needed
- 3 tsp chili powder – Adjust less for milder curry or more if you like heat
- 5 tsp curry powder – The star spice; use your favorite blend
- 3.5 tsp cumin – Adds earthy flavor; can reduce to 2 tsp if you prefer
- 2 tsp onion powder – Gives onion flavor without chopping; use 1 diced onion instead if you have time
- 3 garlic cloves, minced – Fresh is best, but 1 tsp garlic powder works too
- 1/2 tsp pepper – Adds gentle heat
- 1 tsp salt – Start with this, then adjust to taste
- 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained – About 1.5 cups; the main protein
- 3/4 cup cooked corn – Adds sweetness and texture; frozen works great
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk – Makes it creamy; light coconut milk works but isn’t as rich
- 1.5 cups packed spinach – Adds color and nutrition; baby spinach is easiest
- Cilantro and red chili flakes for garnish – Optional but pretty!
Instructions
Prepare your base
- Heat the oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat
- When oil is hot, add the sliced cherry tomatoes
- Add all the spices at once: chili powder, curry powder, cumin, onion powder, pepper, and salt
- Cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning
Build flavor
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, stirring continuously
- You’ll smell the amazing aroma of the spices – that means they’re releasing all their flavor!
Create the curry
- Add the chickpeas, corn, and coconut milk
- Stir everything together until well combined
- Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes
- Stir occasionally and watch it thicken beautifully
Finish it off
- Add the spinach and cover the pot
- Cook for about 3 minutes until the spinach wilts down
- Give everything a final stir
- Taste and add more salt if needed
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and a sprinkle of red chili flakes if you like
How To Cook Dried Chickpeas
I often use canned chickpeas for convenience, but cooking dried chickpeas gives amazing texture and saves money! Here’s how I do it:
Soak the chickpeas
- Quick soak: Cover 1 cup dried chickpeas with water, boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let sit for 1 hour
- Overnight soak: Cover chickpeas with water and let sit for 8-12 hours
Cook them
- Drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas
- Place in a large pot with fresh water (about 3 cups)
- Simmer for 1-1.5 hours until tender
- One cup dried chickpeas yields about 3 cups cooked
Store for later
- Cooked chickpeas keep in the fridge for 3-4 days
- Freeze in 1.5 cup portions (equal to one can) for up to 3 months
Notes
- Don’t skimp on the spices – they build the flavor base
- Let the curry simmer for longer (15-20 minutes) if you have time for deeper flavor
- Add the spinach only in the last few minutes to keep its bright green color
- If the curry seems too thick, add a splash of water or vegetable broth
- Taste before serving and adjust salt – it makes all the flavors pop!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian-inspired
Nutrition
- Calories: 345 kcal
- Sugar: 5.7 g
- Sodium: 362 mg
- Fat: 12.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 13 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg