Indian curries are an assortment of food items that are often prepared with a sauce or gravy and frequently include a combination of spices and herbs. Bread or rice is frequently served alongside them. There’s a never-ending list of curries, from shahi paneer to dal tadka, paneer masala, and more. These curries are delicious in taste and very healthy as they contain Indian spices, pulses, and protein-rich ingredients. The best part? These curries are loved by people of all age groups. In this article, we bring you one such delectable type of Indian curry. It is made with chana (chickpea), making it high in protein. I love Chana Masala, and it’s very easy to prepare an authentic chana masala recipe at home with a few simple ingredients and a handful of spices. It is also one of India’s most widely eaten dishes and is one of the most famous street foods. Serve this restaurant-style chole masala recipe with hot Bathura, pooris, jeera rice, chapatis, roti & parathas. You can make Chana Masala in the Instant Pot or stovetop pressure cooker.
What Is Chana Masala?
Chana masala is a famous Indian meal that consists of chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, and a spice mixture. It is often served with naan bread, bhatura, poori, or basmati rice.
Ingredients for Indian Chana Masala Recipe
How to Make Homemade Chole Masala Powder
Chole masala powder is the star ingredient for this dish. If you don’t find chole masala at the store, dry roast the below spices, blend them, and store them in an airtight container.
1 tablespoon Dry Pomegranate Seeds (Anardana) (optional) 3 tablespoon Coriander powder 1 tablespoon Cumin seeds (Jeera) 6 Green Cardamom 2 teaspoon Black pepper 10 teaspoon Cloves 3-4 pieces Cinnamon 1 teaspoon Red chili powder 1 teaspoon Black salt (kala namak)
OR, replace them with 1.5 tablespoons of Curry Powder. This will change the flavor, but it’ll be close.
How to Make Chana Masala
Stovetop Pot Chana Masala
Pressure cook the soaked chickpeas (garbanzo beans) with 3 cups of water and a little salt in the traditional stovetop pressure cooker (or Instant Pot). Instant Pot: Pressure cook on Manual (High Pressure) for 30 minutes with natural pressure release. Stovetop Pressure Cooker: Pressure cook on high heat for 5-6 whistles, followed by natural pressure release. Note: The cooked chickpeas/chana should be soft and easily mashed when pressed between the finger and thumb. Set aside. Heat oil in a large pot (or Dutch oven). Add cumin seeds, and bay leaf, and let cumins splutter. Then add onions and saute for 3-4 minutes or until onions turn light brown. Add green chilies, and minced ginger garlic and saute till the raw smell of the ginger-garlic goes away. Then add 1 cup of pureed tomatoes (or finely chopped tomatoes). Cook for 2-3 minutes, or till the mixture thickens. Add spices like red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, chana masala, and salt. Mix well. Cook the masala until the oil oozes out from the sides. Lastly, add the cooked chickpeas, along with the stalk (or 1 cup of water). Stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil and then lower the heat, cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Mash a few chickpeas with the back of the ladle or spoon. This makes the curry thick and creamy. Add amchur powder, crush some kasuri methi between your palms, and add to the gravy. Mix well. Don’t worry if the curry is a too liquid consistency. The curry will thicken as it cools down. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot with bathura, pooris, jeera rice, chapatis, roti & parathas.
Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Method
Soak Chole (Chickpeas) for at least 4+ hours or overnight. Then, drain the water and keep it aside. Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Heat oil, add cumin seeds, bay leaf, and let cumins splutter. Then add onions, green chilies, ginger-garlic paste, and saute until onions turn light brown for 3-4 minutes. Next, add tomato puree and the spices like red chili powder, turmeric powder, chole masala powder, coriander powder, and cook for 2 minutes. Lastly, add soaked chickpeas, salt, and water. Stir well. Close the lid on the pot, and turn the pressure valve to the SEALING position. Select the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL (High Pressure) setting and set the cooking time to 30 minutes. Once the pot beeps, Do a NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE (NPR). Remove the lid away from you, add amchur powder (dry mango powder), Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves), and garnish with coriander leaves. Mix well. Don’t worry if the curry is too liquid consistency. Turn on SAUTE mode again and boil the curry for 5 minutes or until you get the desired consistency. Instant Pot Chana Masala (chole masala) recipe is ready, serve hot with bathura, pooris, chapatis, roti & parathas.
Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method
Follow the same steps as above. Cook for 5-6 whistles on the medium-high flame in the stovetop pressure cooker.
What can I serve with Chickpea Masala?
Traditionally Chana Masala is served with bathura (Indian fried bread), or Amritsari kulcha along with lemon wedges, and fresh-cut cilantro. Indian flat bread like rotis, naan, parathas, or poori. Basmati rice, jeera rice, or quinoa paired with boondi raita, Indian cucumber salad, and pickle on the side.
Storage Suggestions
Store: You can store leftover chana masala curry in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Freeze: Freeze in freezer-safe containers or Ziploc bags for up to 2 months. Reheat: Reheat chole masala in a microwave or stovetop on medium heat until warm, and serve. If it’s frozen, thaw for a few hours on the kitchen top and then reheat.
Tips & Variations
Also check my Kids Lunch Box Series Posts
Chole & Jeera Rice + Cucumber-Carrot Salad + Kale Chips
More Chickpeas Recipes
Chole/Chickpeas Biyani Beetroot Chickpea Stir Fry Chole Paratha Chickpea Cucumber Salad Chickpea Coconut Curry Chickpea Avocado Sandwich Kadala Curry (Brown Chickpeas in Coconut Curry) Kala Chana Curry Chana Chaat
More Instant Pot Curry Recipes
Lauki (Bottle gourd) Sabzi Black Eye Pea Curry (Lobia Curry) Zucchini Stir Fry Lauki Chana Dal Rajma Masala Mushroom Masala
If you love Lentils & Beans and looking for more Instant Pot Indian Recipes? Here are my 22+ Instant Pot lentils & Beans Recipes you must try. If you’ve tried this easy Instant pot chana masala recipe or any other recipe on Indianveggiedelight, then don’t forget to rate the recipe. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see the latest recipes! Subscribe to my Youtube Channel for healthy & tasty video recipes. Looking for Instant Pot recipes, then check out my Instant Pot Recipes board on Pinterest.
