Vegetable Fried Rice
20 minEasy
Coconut Chickpea Curry
A one-pot coconut curry with chickpeas, spinach, and warming spices. Comforting, affordable, and completely meat-free.
- Prep time10 min
- Cook time25 min
- Total time35 min
- Servings4
- DifficultyEasy
- Calories480 kcal
Method
Instructions
- 1
Soften the onion
6 minHeat the coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until soft and translucent, 6 minutes.
- 2
Bloom the spices
1 minAdd the garlic, ginger, curry powder, turmeric, and cayenne. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 1 minute.
Tip: Frying the spices in oil releases their flavor — do not skip this step.
- 3
Simmer the curry
15 minAdd the chickpeas, coconut milk, and tomatoes. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 15 minutes.
- 4
Wilt the spinach
2 minStir in the spinach and lemon juice, and cook until the spinach just wilts, 2 minutes. Taste and season.
- 5
Serve
1 minSpoon over rice and finish with cilantro if you have it.
Cook smarter
Cooking Tips
- Simmer uncovered so the sauce thickens to a spoon-coating consistency.
- Add the spinach in handfuls — it wilts fast and needs only a minute.
- Make it ahead: the flavors deepen overnight.
Make it yours
Ingredient Substitutions
No chickpeas?
- Lentils (cook 10 minutes longer)
- Cannellini beans
- Tofu
No coconut milk?
- Coconut cream + water
- Cashew cream
No baby spinach?
- Kale (cook 3 minutes)
- Swiss chard
Leftovers
Storage & Reheating
How to store
Store in an airtight container, rice separate.
How long it keeps
Keeps in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How to reheat
Reheat gently in a saucepan, adding a splash of water to loosen.
Can you freeze it?
Freezes well for up to 3 months — the chickpeas hold their shape beautifully.
Build the plate
Serving Suggestions
- Steamed rice
- Naan bread
- Fresh cilantro
- A squeeze of lime
Good to know
Common Questions
Is this curry spicy?
Mildly. The cayenne is optional — leave it out for a family-friendly version or double it for heat.
Can I use dried chickpeas?
Yes — soak and cook them first, then use about 500 g cooked. Canned is far quicker and works perfectly.
What can I serve with it?
Rice and naan are the classics. It is also great over roasted sweet potato or with a side of sautéed greens.
Keep cooking
Related Recipes
Learn the ingredients
Related Ingredients
Level up
