Description
Indian Butter Chickpeas is a creamy, comforting vegetarian dinner that brings the rich, buttery flavors of butter chicken into a plant-based one-pan dish. Chickpeas simmer in a silky tomato-cream sauce with warm Indian spices, perfect with naan or rice and ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tbsp butter or plant-based butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1½ tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (14–15 oz)
- 1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
- 2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- Salt to taste
- Optional: fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion and sauté until soft and lightly golden.
- Stir in garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add garam masala, cumin, paprika, turmeric, and chili powder. Stir well to toast the spices briefly.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes and simmer for 8–10 minutes until thickened.
- Stir in cream or coconut milk and season with salt.
- Add chickpeas and simmer for another 8–10 minutes until heated through and coated in sauce.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve warm.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, use coconut milk and skip butter or use dairy-free butter.
- Adjust the chili powder to control heat; start mild and increase to taste.
- Leftovers refrigerate well for up to 4 days and can be reheated on the stovetop.
- Serve with naan, basmati rice, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- This dish is naturally gluten-free when using gluten-free crushed tomatoes and spices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: One-Pan Skillet (Stovetop)
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 recipe)
- Calories: Approximately 305 kcal
- Sugar: Approximately 6 g
- Sodium: Approximately 520 mg
- Fat: Approximately 31 g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 28 g
- Fiber: Approximately 7 g
- Protein: Approximately 12 g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 70 mg
Keywords: Indian Butter Chickpeas, Butter Chickpeas, Indian chickpea curry, vegetarian Indian dinner, 30-minute dinner, one-pan Indian, chana masala alternative, creamy tomato chickpeas