Rajpura-Inspired Spiced Chickpea Curry

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-28 · Updated 2026-05-28

A hearty and aromatic chickpea curry with warm Indian spices reminiscent of the flavors found in Rajpura's traditional kitchens. This Indian-inspired curry recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs canned chickpeas, vegetable oil, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 cups, drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until golden and translucent.
2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger to the pan, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, and 1/2 tsp red chili powder, cooking for 30 seconds to release the spices' aroma.
4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup tomato puree and 1 cup water, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Add 2 cups drained and rinsed canned chickpeas along with 1 tsp salt. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1/2 tsp garam masala over the curry and stir well. Cook for another 2 minutes.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.