Chickpea Curry with Rice Recipe: Easy Indian Vegan Meal 2026

This chickpea curry with rice is a vegan Indian-inspired dish that brings together the irresistible flavor of curry with legumes and plenty of vegetables. It is a complete meal that comes together in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for an everyday lunch or dinner.

The creamy coconut milk and tangy canned tomatoes create a rich sauce that coats the tender chickpeas and carrots, while basmati rice soaks up every bit of flavor. Everything is plant-based, so it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians, and it is also a great option for meal prep.

For the best results, use a good-quality curry powder such as Madras, which is rich and well balanced. If you have whole spices at home, you can toast and grind them for an even more aromatic curry. The dish can be prepared ahead of time and the rice boiled just before serving.

Ingredients for Chickpea Curry with Rice

For 2 servings

• 100 g onion
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 120 g basmati rice
• Salt
• 50 g carrots
• 200 g canned tomatoes (net weight)
• 200 g cooked chickpeas (net weight)
• 100 ml coconut milk
• Ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro leaves

How to Make Chickpea Curry with Rice Step by Step

1. Sauté the onion

Peel and chop 100 g of onion and sauté it in a skillet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat for 4 minutes, until translucent.

2. Add the curry and cook the rice

Add 1 tablespoon of curry powder and stir well. At this point, bring 120 g of basmati rice to a boil in a saucepan with water and a pinch of salt, for the time indicated by the manufacturer.

3. Add the carrots, tomatoes and chickpeas

Add 50 g of peeled carrots cut into thin slices to the skillet, along with 200 g of canned tomatoes and 200 g of drained cooked chickpeas. Cook for 15 minutes over medium heat.

4. Pour in the coconut milk

Pour in 100 ml of coconut milk and stir to incorporate it with the rest of the ingredients.

5. Season and finish with cilantro

Season with salt and pepper to taste, cook for 5 more minutes and scatter 1 tablespoon of chopped cilantro leaves on top.

6. Serve the chickpea curry with rice

Serve the chickpea curry immediately, accompanied by the drained rice.

Tips for the Best Chickpea Curry with Rice

Choose the right curry powder

Use a pre-mixed curry powder from the spice aisle, preferably Madras, which is rich and balanced. Choose one with texture rather than just yellow powder, as that indicates a blend of different spices. If you cook curries often, keep the individual spices on hand to make your own blends.

Use cooked or dried chickpeas

This recipe uses canned cooked chickpeas for speed, but you can use dried chickpeas and cook them the day before. All the ingredients are plant-based, making this curry suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Make ahead and serve

The chickpea curry can be prepared in advance and reheated gently; boil the rice just before serving for the best texture. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste, and add more coconut milk if you prefer a looser sauce.

30 Favorite Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

Maybe you're wired the same way I am: your kitchen rotation is a blend of cozy standbys, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make a crowd happy.

Some nights I want something luxurious, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a deeply rich Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when only fruit-forward comfort will do, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

For quick morning meals and lighter plates, I regularly whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And whenever my pantry needs a gluten-free basic, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

On evenings built around tapas and Mediterranean tastes, I cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever the occasion calls for a little extra polish.

For stick-to-your-ribs midday meals and comforting suppers, my go-tos are this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something even more substantial, I turn to this oven-baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the supremely cozy French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

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And when I'm hosting and mixing drinks to go with a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this sweet Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To bring it all together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or capping the meal with this dramatic Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After countless rounds of testing and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely cook on repeat—whether it's a fast solo meal or something festive for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the lush, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is my pick when I want a dessert that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another treat I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the celebrated Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When light and easy is what I'm after, I lean on the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly done Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For more filling comfort fare, I frequently suggest the crowd-pleasing Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the luscious Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Sharing dishes from across the globe is another joy of mine, among them the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is yet another category I turn to often, since it delivers speed without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and deeply comforting without any gluten.

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