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Craving warm, flavorful comfort food without the fuss? Look no further than this Chickpea Curry for One! Adapted from my family’s favorite recipe, this single serve dish is a vibrant blend of chickpeas, aromatic spices, and creamy coconut milk, all cooked in one pan in less than 20 minutes. No complicated ingredients, just wholesome goodness ready in a flash.
Level up your Chickpea Curry with sides! Enjoy your curry with soft naan or crusty French bread, savor the fluffy comfort of white rice, or add a cool crunch with cucumber salad. Each option complements the curry’s warmth and flavor for a truly satisfying meal.
Why You’ll Love This Chickpea Curry Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 20 minutes and requiring just one pan, this curry is perfect for busy weeknights or a satisfying lunch.
- Packed with Flavor: The simple spice blend creates a depth of flavor that complements the creamy coconut milk and savory chickpeas.
- Nutritious and Satisfying: Chickpeas are a great source of protein and fiber, making this curry a filling and healthy meal.
- Easy to Customize: Swap veggies, adjust spice levels, or add tofu for a protein boost – the possibilities are endless!
- Perfect for One: No need to worry about leftovers! This recipe is perfectly portioned for a single serving.
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Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this curry recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Olive Oil: In this chickpea curry, I use extra virgin olive oil, as I do in most of my recipes. Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed, offering a robust olive flavor and preserving more vitamins and minerals from the olives. It’s my go-to choice for its quality and taste, though you can substitute with a lighter olive oil if you prefer.
- Vegetables: The combination of chopped onions and garlic is essential, infusing the curry with rich, aromatic flavors.
- Spices: The duo of curry powder and ground ginger forms the spice base, giving the dish its signature warmth and depth.
- Broth: Choose vegetable or chicken broth based on your preference.
- Coconut Milk: I recommend using unsweetened, full-fat canned coconut milk for its creamy texture and subtle sweetness. As an alternative, heavy cream can be used to achieve a similar richness.
- Honey: A mere 1/2 tablespoon is enough to introduce a mild sweetness to the curry. For a vegan variation, agave syrup or another vegan sweetener can be used effectively.
- Chickpeas: Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas are the centerpiece of this recipe. They are not only high in protein and fiber but also economical and pantry-friendly. Use a 15-ounce can for this recipe. Remember to rinse and drain them before use.
Pro Tip: Keep chickpeas in your pantry for budget-friendly, protein-rich meals!
Recipe Variations
- Thai Twist: Add a dash of Thai red curry paste and a squeeze of lime for a Thai-style chickpea curry. This variation offers a unique fusion of flavors.
- Extra Protein: Stir in cooked chicken or tofu for a protein-packed chickpea curry. This variation is great for those seeking a more substantial, protein-rich meal.
- Spicy Version: For those who love a bit of heat, throw in some red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for a spicy chickpea curry.
- Creamier Texture: Mix in Greek yogurt or sour cream for a creamy chickpea curry. This version is perfect for those who enjoy a richer, more indulgent curry.
- Vegan-Friendly: Replace honey with maple syrup and ensure all other ingredients are plant-based for a vegan chickpea curry.
How To Make Chickpea Curry
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a small batch of chickpea curry. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Start Cooking: Begin by heating the oil in a medium-sized skillet (about 10 inches) over medium heat. This is the first step to creating a flavorful base for your curry.
- Sauté Onions: Add the onions to the skillet. Cook them for 1 to 2 minutes or until they start to soften. Remember to stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
- Add Spices: Now, introduce the garlic, curry powder, ginger, and a pinch of salt to the skillet. Cook this mixture for about 1 minute, stirring frequently. This step is crucial for releasing the aromatic flavors of the spices.
- Combine Liquids: Pour the vegetable broth, coconut milk, and honey into the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil. This step is where the sauce starts to form, blending all the flavors together.
- Simmer with Chickpeas: Add the chickpeas to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer. Stir occasionally and allow the sauce to thicken. This should take about 10 minutes. Patience is key here as the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Ready to Serve: Your Chickpea Curry is now ready to be served. Spoon it over a bed of rice for a complete meal. This final step brings the dish together, ready to be enjoyed.
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Expert Tips
- Gather your ingredients before starting: This meal cooks quickly so it’s a good idea to have all of your ingredients handy before you begin.
- Adjust the consistency: Add more broth for a thinner curry or simmer longer for a thicker one.
- Taste as You Go: Adjust seasoning like salt or additional spices as needed.
- Garnish for Freshness: A sprinkle of fresh cilantro, chopped scallions, or a dollop of yogurt adds a finishing touch.
RELATED: 20 Single Serving Meatless Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
Cooked rice, naan bread, or quinoa are all great options.
Sure! Experiment with garam masala, cumin, turmeric, or other curry blends to personalize the flavor.
Absolutely! Feel free to add spinach, bell peppers, or carrots.
Yes, but you’ll need to soak and cook them beforehand. Follow the instructions on the package.
Yes. If you’d like to make extra coconut chickpea curry, just double the ingredient amounts in the recipe.
Top Single Serving Vegetarian Recipes
Discover our collection of popular single serving vegetarian recipes, perfect for those seeking delicious and nutritious plant-based meals. Here are a few of our favorites:
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you would like information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this chickpea curry or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Chickpea Curry For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped onions
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- ¾ cup canned full-fat coconut milk
- ½ tablespoon honey
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas , drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cooked rice
Instructions
- Start Cooking: Begin by heating the oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté Onions: Add the onions to the skillet. Cook them for 1 to 2 minutes or until they start to soften. Remember to stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
- Add Spices: Now, introduce the garlic, curry powder, ginger, and salt to the skillet. Cook this mixture for about 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Combine Liquids: Pour the vegetable broth, coconut milk, and honey into the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer with Chickpeas: Add the chickpeas to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer. Stir occasionally and allow the sauce to thicken. This should take about 10 minutes. Patience is key here as the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Ready to Serve: Your Chickpea Curry is now ready to be served. Spoon it over a bed of cooked rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Gather your ingredients before starting: This meal cooks quickly so it’s a good idea to have all of your ingredients handy before you begin.
- Adjust the consistency: Add more broth for a thinner curry or simmer longer for a thicker one.
- Taste as You Go: Adjust seasoning like salt or additional spices as needed.
- Garnish for Freshness: A sprinkle of fresh cilantro, chopped scallions, or a dollop of yogurt adds a finishing touch.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
i love chickpeas in curries and your version is amazing.
Love chickpeas with rice. They are healthy too. Thanks for sharing!
They are so healthy, thank you!
This looks great. I love chickpeas, and they work so well with Indian flavors. I’ll have to give this a try.
Thank you, Mary. I hope you get to give it a try, the flavors are wonderful together.
I can always count on you for such fabulous, flavorful, everyday recipe idea Joanie! I love this for a meatless Monday and can never get enough chickpeas!
You’re so sweet, thank you so much Alisa. Chickpeas are my favorites, they’re so delicious!
Such a delicious dish Joanie! I’m tempted not to cook for myself when it’s just me home, but these recipes for one are so appealing and easy. Always inspired when I visit your blog. xo
Thank you, Allie. My husband travels quite a bit for work and usually I’ll throw together a salad or leftovers for myself for dinner but lately, I’ve wanted something more. It’s been fun reworking a few of my favorite family recipes so I can enjoy them by myself 🙂
Love curry & chickpeas! NOMS!
Me too, Natalie! 🙂
Oh yum! I might have to make this a lunchtime staple. I love coconut milk and curry! And hey, ya can’t beat chickpeas!
It’s all good 🙂 Thanks Chrissa!
I LOVE curries of every kind and this chickpea version sounds great!
I do too, Kimberly. Thanks so much!
I’m totally craving a big bowl of curry and a glass of wine now. This looks like perfect comfort food!
Thanks, Ashley. Healthy comfort food is the best, isn’t it? 🙂
My fave! This is a great side dish and main dish.
Thanks so much, Ginny. You’re right, it would make a great side dish.