Chana masala recipe – Chana masala is a delicious & flavorful Indian curry made by cooking chickpeas in a spicy onion tomato masala gravy. It can be eaten with basmati rice, roti, naan, poori and plain parathas or even with flavored rice like jeera rice or ghee rice.
Chana masala is a common Indian term used to mention a chickpea curry where each region has their own way of making it. So there are different ways of making chana.
This restaurant style chana masala is one of the best you can make at home for your everyday meal. I make this almost every week & it is one of our favourite curries for lunch.
The recipe shared here will yield you a very delicious and flavorful curry that is moderately spicy.
Most times I choose to cook up faster meals so we eat this with basmati rice or jeera rice. Sometimes for the weekend brunch I also make this chana masala with poori.
Here are some of the popular recipes made with legumes
Rajma masala
dal makhani
dal tadka
dal fry
How is chana masala made?
The first step to make chana masala starts by soaking the chickpeas overnight. Then pressure cooking them until tender.
The base of this curry is made by roasting onions and tomatoes first. This roasting step completely elevates the taste of this chana masala.
Then the mixture is blended and cooked with spices to make the gravy. Lastly precooked chana is simmered in the curry.
What is special about this Chana masala?
Yes this chana masala tastes extremely delicious. The roasted & pureed onion tomato masala brings in a unique flavor, texture & taste to the gravy. This step will not take any additional time as it can be done while you pressure cook the chana.
If you do not like chunky curries then you will love this.
This is kids’ friendly recipe as it is not the very spicy kind.
You can split the recipe and make the onion tomato masala ahead and refrigerate.
Which spice powder or garam masala to use?
I use a homemade garam masala but you can use any that is aromatic. You can also use readymade chole masala if you have one. But the recipe as such does not require chole masala it just needs an aromatic garam masala.
If you do not have both, just go ahead using a curry powder. However the flavor will not be the same.
Reduce or skip red chilli powder if your readymade powder already has chilli in it.
Can I make chana masala without soaking chana?
Yes you can give them an instant soak by pouring 6 cups of boiling water to 1 cup of chana. Cover and keep for an hour. Use in the recipe as mentioned.
But the texture & flavor of the chana is not the same. Soaked chana are lighter in texture and cook up well easily.
They are easier to digest when soaked & prevents tummy upsets.
How to make this one pot dish?
Chana when cooked with acidic ingredients takes much more time. Also all chana are not the same. Some take longer time to cook while some cook up with the normal timings.
So cooking chana masala in one pot is an experiment with every batch of chana you buy.
Most times the cook time triples. I feel the gravy loses its flavor due to over cooking.
So to make the best chana masala it is good to soak them well, then precook until tender and add to the gravy.
Can I use canned chickpeas?
You can use canned chick peas if you do not prefer to soak and precook them. The texture of canned chickpeas is not the same always. Some brands have very soft chickpeas while some are good enough to be simmered in a gravy.
So adjust the cook time depending on the texture of canned chickpeas. Drain them completely and use.
How to make this in instant pot?
Follow the recipe as is and skip precooking the chana. Make a onion tomato masala and then add the chickpeas. Pressure cook on high pressure for 35 minutes.
Tips to make chana masala
- Soaking chana overnight reduces the cooking time and avoids flatulence.
- Pressure cooking chana with a pinch of cooking soda or soda-bi-carbonate helps to cook them softer. However you can also skip it and just cook the chana for longer or for more whistles.
- This chana masala is made with regular garam masala. Just ensure you use a good one as it is the key ingredient that flavours the dish.
You can serve this with
Plain paratha
Jeera rice
Ghee rice
Coconut rice
Chana masala recipe
Chana masala
Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )
Ingredients for chana masala
- ¾ cup chana or chickpeas raw (or 2¼ cups soaked or canned)
- 1½ cups water
To fry & blend
- 1 tablespoon oil or as needed
- 2 to 3 large onions (1½ cups thinly sliced)
- ¾ to 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- 2 medium tomatoes (1½ cups chopped )
- ½ to ¾ tablespoon red chili powder (adjust as desired)
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric or haldi
- ½ to ¾ teaspoon Salt (adjust to taste)
For chana masala gravy
- 2 tablespoon oil or as needed
- 1 small bay leaf or tej patta (optional)
- 1 inch cinnamon or dalchini (optional)
- 2 to 3 cloves or laung (optional)
- 2 to 3 green cardamoms or elaichi (optional)
- 1 green chili slit (optional)
- 1 to 1½ teaspoon garam masala
- 1½ teaspoon coriander powder or daniya powder
- 1 teaspoon kasuri methi (or dried fenugreek leaves)
- 2 pinch amchur (or dried mango powder) optional
- 2 tbsp coriander leaves or cilantro chopped finely
How to make the recipe
Preparation for chana masala (skip if using canned)
- Rinse chickpeas thoroughly and soak for 8 hours.
- Add them to a pot or pressure cooker & pour 1½ cups water.
- Pressure cook the chana until soft for 5 to 6 whistles on a medium heat.
- If cooking in a pot add more water as needed.
- When the pressure releases completely open the lid.
- Check for doneness : Alternately squeeze the chana and check it must be soft enough but not mushy.
Frying & blending
- While the chana cooks, saute onions until golden in 1 tbsp oil. Saute ginger garlic paste as well to remove the raw smell.
- Add chopped tomatoes and some sprinkle little salt.
- Saute until the tomatoes turn soft and the raw smell goes away.
- Next add chili powder and turmeric. Saute till the raw smell goes off.
- Cool this completely and blend it to a smooth or coarse paste.
- Optional – To make a thicker gravy add 1 tbsp cooked chana to the mixture and blend to smooth with out water.
How to make chana masala recipe
- Heat 2 tbsps oil and saute cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf and cardamom for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Next add the onion tomato paste, green chili, garam masala powder & coriander powder.
- Saute until the mixture leaves the sides of the pan.
- Add the cooked chickpeas and then the stock (chana cooked water) as needed.
- You may need to use up all. If needed pour little more water to bring it to a consistency.
- Bring it to a boil & simmer for about 5 to 6 minutes or until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Taste the gravy and add more garam masala and salt if needed. Cook further for another 2 to 3 mins.
- Add kasuri methi and amchur (optional). Add chopped coriander leaves. Cover and set aside until served.
- Chana masala is ready to serve with rice or roti, onion and lemon wedges.
NUTRITION
Notes
- You can add 1 pinch of soda-bi-carbonate or cooking soda to cook the chana easily. If using soda then pressure cook just for 2 to 3 whistles.
- Sometimes chana does not get cooked well even after 10 whistles if they are too old. So in that case you need to add soda.
- Do not use more soda-bi-carbonate than 1 pinch as it leaves a aftertaste.
- For best results make the recipe from scratch and avoid canned chickpeas.
Chana masala recipe originally published in May 2013, Republished in May 2019.
Preparation for chana masala recipe
Skip this section if using canned chickpeas.
1. Wash and soak chana for about 8 hours. Discard the water and give a good rinse.
2. Pressure cook chana with 1.5 cups water for 5 to 6 whistles on a medium flame. You can also add a generous pinch of soda & cook for 2 to 3 whistles.
You can also cook them in a pot adding more water as needed.
Once done your chana must be soft cooked. Squeeze it and check it must be soft but not mushy. It should still hold shape.
Making gravy
3. While the chana cooks, add 1 tbsp oil to a pan. When the oil heats up, add onions and fry until they turn golden. Keep stirring to fry them evenly.
4. Add ginger garlic paste. Saute until the raw smell disappears.
5. Add tomatoes and salt. Fry until they turn completely mushy and soft.
6. Add turmeric and red chili powder.
7. Saute until the raw smell of chili powder goes away for a minute or two.
8. Cool it and blend to a smooth or slightly coarse paste. Optional – you can also add 1 tbsp of cooked chana and blend to smooth. This yields a thick gravy. No water is used for blending.
This is my latest step and found it really makes the gravy delicious.
How to make chana masala recipe
9. Add 2 tbsp oil to the pan. Saute 1 small bay leaf, 3 green cardamoms,3 cloves and a small cinnamon piece. You can also skip all of these.
10. Optional – Earlier I used to add 1 finely chopped onion and saute until lightly golden or transparent. I no more use onions at this step. I refined this step as my boys don’t like the chunky gravy.
However if you like the chunky gravy then yes do use half cup fine chopped onions and saute well until golden.
11. Add the blended puree and green chilli.
12. Stir and mix well. We don’t need to cook for long since we roasted the onions and tomatoes before. Add garam masala and coriander powder.
13. Cook until the mixture begins to leave the pan.
14. Add the soft cooked chana and stock (chana cooked water). Make sure channa is soft cooked before adding here. Stir and add more water if needed to bring to a consistency. I add more water here.
15. Mix everything well and bring it to a boil. Lower the flame and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes or until it reaches a desired consistency. Taste the gravy.
Add more garam masala and salt if needed. Cook for 3 to 4 mins if you have added more garam masala. Just before turning off the stove add crushed kasuri methi and amchur (if using).
Stir well and Turn off the stove. Add few chopped coriander leaves. Cover the pot to retain the flavors.
Serve chana masala with rice or roti.
Polly says
Thanks Swasthi!!! This recipe is amazing. My family loved it. Very easy and Super tasty.
Thank you!!!!!
swasthi says
Welcome Polly,
You are welcome. Thank you so much. Glad you all loved it.
🙂
saradha says
Hai Swasthi, I do my home chana masala wow! super fabulous recipe my family love it. Thankyou so much
swasthi says
Hi Saradha
You are welcome. Glad you all loved the chana masala. Thanks for the comment.
🙂
Chhavi says
Hi Swasthi,
I am a foodie living in Mumbai. This is my first ever cooking experience from a food site. I tasted your chana masala in a office potluck & fell in love with it. I was guided here by my colleague and advised me to learn cooking from swasthi’s. I never expected a food site to be like this with clear cut cooking instructions bringing life to the cooked food. I am completely amazed and in love with your site. I and my sis made this chana masala tonight and currently we are on cloud 9 enjoying your 😋 chana with rice. Thank you for making this site.
swasthi says
Hi Chhavi,
You are most welcome. I think you took me as well to the cloud 9. Enjoyed reading you! Thanks a lot! Good luck to both of you.
Fatema Shaikh says
I too tried it and it was just hard to resist…My family did like it too.
swasthi says
Thanks Fatema
Glad you all liked it.
Sweta Paul says
Came out so tasty!! Thank you
swasthi says
Welcome Sweta,
glad you liked it. Thanks for the comment.
Rekha says
Hey Swasthi,
Wow! This is truly a fabulous chana masala I have ever made. My husband is a hard core lover of the punjabi chole. Today I stunned him with my awesome delicious chana masala. Followed your recipe to the T but I did add 2 green chilies and 1 tsp of thin ginger strips at the end. It worked like a charm to tickle his spicy taste buds. Thanks much for the 😋 recipes.
Love your blog
Rekha
swasthi says
H Rekha,
You are welcome. That’s great. So happy to know your chana masala turned out awesome. Thanks a lot. I will update my recipe with your tip of adding ginger towards the end.
🙂
Shamanth says
I do in my home, I use everst garam masala , I eat with vegetable biryani , paratha, Chapatti, sometimes for idli
It is awesome recipe
Thank you
swasthi says
You are Welcome Shamanth,
Thank you so much for trying the recipe.
Bhuvana says
I have tried making channa masala a lot different ways,by far,this turned out the best.My husband was all praise for me. Thanks a lot for your recipes. 😀
swasthi says
Hello Bhuvana,
You are welcome. Same with me too, had tried so many ways but this one turned out to be the best. Thanks for the comment. Very happy to know your both liked it.
🙂
Gauri says
Superb recipe! Absolutely fool proof like everything else on this page. Thank you so much
swasthi says
Welcome Gauri.
Thank you so much
Lily says
Can we use salt in place of soda I am actually planning to make Channa chat in my school for food carnival so I need your advise can you send me your phone no
swasthi says
Hi Lily
Soda helps to cook the chana quickly. You can skip it but boil the chana until soft.
Sindhu Mohan says
The gravy came very well. Thanks for your post.
swasthi says
Hi Sindhu
Thanks for trying
Rmn says
Was good ..we added lil more saunf powders and jeera powders..
swasthi says
Thank you for trying
Neetu Garg says
Hi swathi
Your recipes are amazing. I am big fan of your recipes all are turned very good without second thought I able to cook with your recipes and all my friends and family love it.
Thank you 😀
Please give some tips to freeze cooked vegetables and gravy for 15 days
swasthi says
Hi Neetu,
You are welcome. Glad you all loved the recipes. Thanks for trying them.
Regarding freezing gravy foods – avoid adding milk, curd or cream. Just make a gravy and cool completely. Transfer to separate glass containers depending on the servings you prefer to serve each time. Using glass containers and freezing within 2 hours of cooking keeps them tasty. When needed bring the curry to a boil and cook for 2 mins. Then pour the cream (if using). Hope this helps
Sheeba kinger says
Hi! Swathi, I am your ardent fan, tried your recipes, they are simple and easy to follow, keep the good work.
swasthi says
Hi Sheeba
Thank you so much. Glad to know you.
🙂
RAJAN D says
Excellent ,step to step details every one can easily follow .thanks
Neha says
Hi dear, I am your fan. Am on a cooking-baking spree these days and cooking as per your recipes is lightening up not only my evening but my life, not to mention churning out delicious dishes. Truly, good food warms the soul and brings joy- pleasure. You are spreading that. Thank you. I tried your shahi paneer, malai kofta, chana masala, hara bhara kebab and egg curry recipes so far. Wondering which others to try…
swasthi says
Hi Neha
Thanks a lot. So happy reading your comment. You made my day! Here are some more best recipes you can try
Aloo gobi
kadai paneer
palak paneer
Paneer pyaza
If you are into healthy eating, these oats sesame ladoos and badam ladoo are a must try.
Thanks a lot again for your support.
🙂
Nina says
I was disappointed with this recipe, I thought it lacked flavor, so I fried more onions, tomatoes,plus tomato paste, garlic and ginger, an extra tablespoon of garam masala, tsp each of ground cumin and coriander and plenty of salt. Then i added to the pot of this recipe. It was a bit better.
swasthi says
Hi Nina,
Not sure where you went wrong. This is a tried and tested recipe not only by me but also by many readers. My recipe calls for 1 1/2 tsp garam masala. Additional 1 tablespoon garam masala and 1 tsp cumin is a lot for this recipe. It is also unhealthy to use so much garam masala – may end up in dehydration, acidity and bloating.
Anupama says
It turned out really well. My mother who prefers homely taste and my husband who prefers the restaurant like taste – both liked it !
And it was simple to put together, thank you, this recipe is for keeps.
swasthi says
You are welcome Anupama
Glad to know chana masala turned out well. Thanks for the comment.
Priya says
I don’t know what it was but this recipe was a disaster. I followed each and every single step but the chhole tasted very weird .
And yes I didn’t skip or add any step or ingredient from my side.
Sophia Ajith says
In total .. you have used 1 cup of onion… but didnt mention how much is needed for blending… and how much for the next part.. could you help me out
swasthi says
Hi Sophia
I have mentioned onions twice in the recipe – 1 cup and then half cup. 1 cup sliced is for blending and half cup chopped is for gravy. I have rearranged the ingredients for you in detail. Hope this helps
Marina says
I wanted runny chole for rice and this was perfect…cardamoms are missing from ingredients list…
swasthi says
Hi Marina,
Thank you. I will update the ingredient list
brinacyl says
hi swasthi ! i am a pakistani and tried your butter chicken recipe which turned out great !
swasthi says
Thanks for trying Brincyl
Glad to know it came out good
Sweta Xess says
Thank you so much for the recipe! It came out fantastic. Spices were impecably balanced. By far the best chole recipe out there. It was simple yet so decadent! 🙂
swasthi says
Welcome Sweta
Glad you liked it. Thanks a lot.