Spicy Chickpea & Spinach Curry (Saag Chana)

Looking for easy chickpea recipes? This spicy chickpea & spinach curry (Saag Chana) is ready in 45 minutes and packed with flavour! A perfect vegetarian dinner recipe.

May 22, 2025
By Emily Torres.

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Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever get stuck wondering what to make for meatless monday ? honestly, finding good chickpea recipes can be a total game changer.

This spicy chickpea & spinach curry is packed with flavor and super comforting! it's a real hug in a bowl, and is really delicious vegetarian dinners .

Brief Overview

This vibrant curry, also known as saag chana, draws inspiration from indian cuisine. it's simple to make, even on a busy weeknight.

Prep takes about 15 minutes, and the total cooking time is only around 45 minutes. this best salad recipes usually makes enough for 4 servings.

Main Benefits

Packed with protein and fiber, this curry is a healthy and satisfying meal. it's perfect for meatless mondays , weeknight dinners, or impressing your friends with your vegan cooking .

What makes this recipe special? the perfectly balanced spices create a flavour explosion.

Ready for a Tasty Vegetarian Recipes ?

This chickpea salad recipe is one of my faves. the aroma when those spices bloom? oh my gosh! it's heavenly.

It's an awesome vegetarian dinner recipes . you know, some people think vegan dishes have to be bland, but this curry proves them wrong.

I've made it for potlucks, and it's always a hit. nobody ever guesses it's vegan unless i tell them!

Let's dive into the goodness that is Mediterranean Chickpea Salad .

My neighbor, bless her heart, thought garbanzo beans salad was weird until she tried this. Now she's hooked! She even calls it " Marry Me Chickpeas " because her husband loved it so much! Honestly, I feel like a food blogger superstar!

Spicy Chickpea & Spinach Curry (Saag Chana) Recipe Card

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Preparation time:15 Mins

Cooking time:30 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil (15 ml)
• 1 large onion, finely chopped (approx. 150g)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (approx. 6g)
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated (approx. 15g)
• 1 green chili, finely chopped (optional, for heat)
• 1 tsp ground cumin (5 ml)
• 1 tsp ground coriander (5 ml)
• ½ tsp turmeric powder (2.5 ml)
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 1 (14.5 oz/411g) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (15 oz/425g) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 5 oz (142g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• ½ cup vegetable broth (120 ml)
• ¼ cup heavy cream or coconut milk (60 ml) (optional, for richness)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• Lime wedges (for serving)

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened and translucent. Stir in garlic, ginger, and chili (if using) and cook until fragrant.
• Add cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
• Add diced tomatoes (with their juices) to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add drained and rinsed chickpeas, chopped spinach, and vegetable broth to the skillet. Stir to combine.
• Bring the mixture back to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted and the sauce has thickened slightly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Stir in heavy cream or coconut milk (if using) for added richness. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve hot with rice or naan bread and lime wedges. Enjoy these amazing chickpea recipes!

Spice Up Your Life: What You'll Need

• Base Ingredients:
  • Olive oil (1 tbsp/15 ml)
  • Onion, finely chopped (1 large/approx. 150g)
  • Garlic, minced (2 cloves/approx. 6g)
  • Ginger, grated (1-inch piece/approx. 15g)
  • Green chili, finely chopped (1)
  • Ground cumin (1 tsp/5 ml)
  • Ground coriander (1 tsp/5 ml)
  • Turmeric powder (½ tsp/2.5 ml)
  • Cayenne pepper (¼ tsp)
  • Diced tomatoes, undrained (1 can/14.5 oz/411g)
  • Garbanzo Bean (Chickpeas), drained and rinsed (1 can/15 oz/425g)
  • Spinach, roughly chopped (5 oz/142g)
  • Vegetable broth (½ cup/120 ml)
  • Heavy cream or coconut milk (¼ cup/60 ml)
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Lime wedges

Trust me, this curry is a winner. the rich flavours and simple steps make it a staple in my house.

I hope it becomes one in yours, too! enjoy your delicious mediterranean meals . for salad recipes for dinner , this mediterranean diet recipes dinners is great! you don't have to use too much easy mediterranean diet recipes !

Alright, let's dive into what you'll need to whip up this spicy chickpea & spinach curry . honestly, it's easier than ordering takeout, and way tastier! this dish is awesome if you're trying to nail those meatless mondays or just want some tasty vegetarian recipes .

It's also perfect for anyone exploring mediterranean meals and generally good dinner recipes vegetarian .

Ingredients & Equipment

This section is all about making sure you're prepped and ready to go. i've included both us and metric measurements, because, well, options are good, right? and don't sweat it if you don't have exactly what i list.

We're cooking, not performing surgery.

Main Ingredients

These are the stars of the show. Get 'em ready!

• Olive Oil: 1 tbsp (15 ml) – Use a decent one. It adds flavor, you know?
• Onion: 1 large , finely chopped (approx. 150g ) – Yellow or white, doesn't matter too much.
• Garlic: 2 cloves , minced (approx. 6g ) – Fresh is best, honestly.
• Ginger: 1-inch piece , grated (approx. 15g ) – Adds a nice zing!
• Green Chili: 1 , finely chopped (optional) – Only if you like it hot, hot, hot!
• Ground Cumin: 1 tsp (5 ml)
• Ground Coriander: 1 tsp (5 ml)
• Turmeric Powder: ½ tsp (2.5 ml)
• Cayenne Pepper: ¼ tsp (optional) – Careful, this is spicy stuff!
• Diced Tomatoes: 1 (14.5 oz/411g) can , undrained – Good quality canned tomatoes make a difference!
• Chickpeas : 1 (15 oz/425g) can , drained and rinsed. These are the foundation of our Chickpea Recipes game!
• Fresh Spinach: 5 oz (142g) , roughly chopped – Don't overthink the chopping.
• Vegetable Broth: ½ cup (120 ml)
• Heavy Cream or Coconut Milk: ¼ cup (60 ml) (optional) – For extra creamy vibes.
• Salt and Black Pepper: To taste – Seasoning is key!
• Fresh Cilantro: Chopped (for garnish)
• Lime Wedges: (for serving)

For this Chickpea Salad Recipe , quality is key for the canned tomatoes and fresh spinach. Make sure the tomatoes are vibrant in color and the spinach is perky, not wilted.

Seasoning Notes

Let’s talk about spice, baby!

• Cumin, coriander, and turmeric are essential . They give it that warm, curry vibe.
• Ginger and garlic add a lovely aromatic punch.
• No green chili? Red pepper flakes work in a pinch.

This recipe really highlights why Chickpea Recipes are so great and is versatile; I was messing around with Mediterranean Chickpea Salad flavor profiles last week and added some lemon juice.

Equipment Needed

You don't need fancy gadgets for this. We're keeping it real.

• Large skillet or pot – Something that can hold all the goodness.
• Cutting board – For, you know, cutting.
• Chef's knife – A good knife makes life easier.
• Garlic press (optional) – If you're lazy like me.
• Grater – For the ginger.
• Measuring spoons and cups – Precision is your friend, mostly.

Seriously, don't stress if you don't have exactly the right gear. A regular pot and a decent knife will get you 90% of the way there.

Cooking Method: Chickpea and Spinach Curry (Saag Chana)

Oh my gosh, let's talk curry! i'm gonna share my twist on a classic: spicy chickpea & spinach curry. it’s basically a hug in a bowl.

Honestly, even if you think you can't cook, you can nail this! this could be your new meatless monday champion.

Let's get started with this tasty vegetarian recipes . who doesn't love a good chickpea recipes ?

Prep Steps: Mise en Place is Your Friend

This is the french term for "everything in its place." basically, chop your onion (approx. 150g ), mince 2 cloves of garlic (approx.

6g ), and grate about 1-inch of ginger (approx. 15g ). i sometimes add 1 green chili . if you are like me and you like it hot, dice it finely! drain and rinse 1 (15 oz/425g) can chickpeas .

Roughly chop 5 oz (142g) fresh spinach . having everything prepped saves so much time. also, be careful when chopping, you know? we don't want any accidents.

Step-by-Step Process: Easy Peasy Curry

1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil (15 ml) in a large pan. Add the onion and cook 'til soft.
2. Stir in the garlic , ginger , and chili (if using). Cook until you can smell it – about 1 minute.
3. Add 1 tsp ground cumin (5 ml), 1 tsp ground coriander (5 ml), ½ tsp turmeric powder (2.5 ml) and ¼ tsp cayenne pepper . Cook for 1 minute .
4. Pour in 1 (14.5 oz/411g) can of diced tomatoes (undrained). Simmer for 5 minutes .
5. Add the chickpeas , spinach , and ½ cup vegetable broth (120 ml). Simmer for 15 minutes , or 'til the spinach is wilted.
6. Stir in ¼ cup heavy cream or coconut milk (optional). Garnish with cilantro. Boom.
7. Serve with rice or naan.

Pro Tips: Curry Secrets

Want to level up your curry game? toast your spices in a dry pan before adding them to the oil.

It really wakes up the flavor! avoid overcooking the spinach. it should just wilt, not turn to mush. this is important to keep it healthy and delicious.

You can make this a day ahead, too! the flavours get even better overnight. just add the spinach when you reheat it.

Making it a good dish for meatless mondays . it's super yummy to have some of this garbanzo bean salad .

Honestly, this chickpea salad recipe is a weeknight winner. whether you call them garbanzo beans salad or chickpeas, this vegetarian dinner dish is quick, easy, and packed with flavour.

Enjoy your mediterranean chickpea salad . this easy mediterranean diet recipe is sure to be one of your favorite mediterranean meals ! it's the perfect mediterranean diet recipe dinners to spice up your week.

Alright, let's talk about some extra bits 'n bobs for this Spicy Chickpea & Spinach Curry (Saag Chana) . I'm telling you, this is one of those dinner recipes vegetarian folks rave about!

Recipe Notes

Serving Suggestions

So, you've got your curry bubbling away? ace! now, let's make it look proper good. for plating, think vibrant. a swirl of coconut milk.

A scattering of fresh cilantro. that's the ticket. it makes you want to dive in. honestly.

This dish is smashing with fluffy basmati rice, or even better, warm naan bread to mop up all that lovely sauce.

Trust me on this one. it's also a great accompaniment to cucumber raita. it cools down the spice just right.

Storage Tips

Got leftovers? you're in for a treat tomorrow. this curry tastes even better the next day. store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

It will keep for about 3-4 days. simple as that.

Freezing? yeah, you can do it. pop it in a freezer-safe container. it'll last for up to 2 months. just make sure to thaw it completely before reheating.

Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or broth if it gets too thick.

Variations

Fancy switching things up? I get it. For a vegan cooking twist, swap the cream for full-fat coconut milk. It's still rich and delicious.

Seasonal ingredient swaps are easy too. in the winter, chuck in some butternut squash. in the summer, bell peppers add a bit of sweetness.

This vegetarian dinner is so versatile. you know? this is one of those easy mediterranean diet recipes that you'll find yourself making over and over.

Nutrition Basics

Okay, let's keep it real simple. this curry is packed with goodness. chickpeas are full of protein and fiber. spinach is loaded with vitamins.

It's a veggie dish that's actually good for you.

We are talking about protein and fiber, right? not a bad way to spend your meatless monday . if you want some help to find the best salad recipes look no further.

This dish gives you about 350 calories per serving, 15g of protein, and a whopping 10g of fiber. it's a healthy, hearty meal.

We are talking about one of the tasty vegetarian recipes here.

And that garbanzo bean salad is just the tip of the iceberg!

So there you have it. a few extra tips to make your chickpea recipes experience even better. don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own.

Happy cooking! you've totally got this! i hope you love this mediterranean chickpea salad. it's so easy to throw together, it's perfect for a quick lunch or a light salad recipes for dinner .