Any Indian spread is incomplete without chana masala, a Punjabi dish meaning “mixed spice chickpeas.” Its signature spiced tang is thanks to coriander, amchoor powder (a tangy dried green mango powder), and a combination of fresh and powdered chilies. Chana masala is high in protein and fiber, thanks to its star ingredient of chickpeas.

Quick and Easy Chana Masala Recipe: How to Make Homemade Chana Masala

Chana masala is an Indian vegetarian stew featuring creamy chickpeas cooked in a fragrant and spicy tomato sauce anchored by a [blend of spices called garam masala](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-garam-masala-homemade-garam-masala-spice-blend-recipe-and-how-to-cook-with-garam-masala). 

It goes by many names, including chole masala (the name for the conventional chickpeas found in the U.S.), channay, and chholay. Chana masala is an <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/all-about-indian-cuisine-the-most-popular-dishes-and-where-to-start' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/all-about-indian-cuisine-the-most-popular-dishes-and-where-to-start","linkCopy":"Indian food","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>Indian food</a> staple and can be found in restaurants, street stalls, and home kitchens. On its own, this chickpea curry is gluten-free and can be vegan, but it’s often [served alongside basmati rice](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-the-perfect-basmati-rice), naan, or fluffy fry-breads like puri or bhatoora. 

Like most Indian dishes, chana masala is centered around its spice blend. It features garam masala, a blend usually containing: 

- Cinnamon
- Mace (a relative of nutmeg)
- Green cardamom
- Black cardamom
- Ground coriander
- Black pepper
- Cumin seeds
- Bay leaf 

These spices are all toasted and ground together, although the exact proportions and ingredients of the blend differ from individual to individual and region to region.
Read on to find out how to cook chana masala in an Instant Pot-style pressure cooker or slow cooker.

1. Set the pot to sauté mode. 
2. Heat oil in the cooker and sauté onions until beginning to brown, 3 or 4 minutes. 
3. Add the cloves garlic, ginger, and spices (except for amchoor) and stir to combine, cooking the onions down until soft. 
4. Add the drained chickpeas, tomatoes, and ½ cup water. 
5. Season to taste. 
6. Set manual pressure cook time for 20 minutes. 
7. Release pressure, and bring back to saute mode. 
8. Add the amchoor, and adjust with water and seasoning for preferred consistency.

Some recipes call for green chilies, some skip it; some prefer a stew with more of a mashed consistency over a soupy one. 

It’s comfort food, so you should feel free to experiment with different ingredients and preparations. While it’s typically enjoyed at dinner, leftover chana masala with a dollop of Greek yogurt makes a great breakfast as well. 

Any Indian spread is incomplete without chana masala, a Punjabi dish meaning “mixed spice chickpeas.” Its signature spiced tang is thanks to coriander, amchoor powder (a tangy dried green mango powder), and a combination of fresh and powdered chilies. Chana masala is high in protein and fiber, thanks to its star ingredient of chickpeas.

Chana masala is an Indian vegetarian stew featuring creamy chickpeas cooked in a fragrant and spicy tomato sauce anchored by a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-garam-masala-homemade-garam-masala-spice-blend-recipe-and-how-to-cook-with-garam-masala' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-garam-masala-homemade-garam-masala-spice-blend-recipe-and-how-to-cook-with-garam-masala","linkCopy":"blend of spices called garam masala","category":null}'>blend of spices called garam masala</a>. It goes by many names, including chole masala (the name for the conventional chickpeas found in the U.S.), channay, and chholay. Chana masala is an <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/all-about-indian-cuisine-the-most-popular-dishes-and-where-to-start' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/all-about-indian-cuisine-the-most-popular-dishes-and-where-to-start","linkCopy":"Indian food","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>Indian food</a> staple and can be found in restaurants, street stalls, and home kitchens. On its own, this chickpea curry is gluten-free and can be vegan, but it’s often <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-the-perfect-basmati-rice' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-the-perfect-basmati-rice","linkCopy":"served alongside basmati rice","category":null}'>served alongside basmati rice</a>, naan, or fluffy fry-breads like puri or bhatoora.

What Is Chana Masala?

Like most Indian dishes, chana masala is centered around its spice blend. It features garam masala, a blend usually containing: <ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Cinnamon </li><li class="">Mace (a relative of nutmeg) </li><li class="">Green cardamom </li><li class="">Black cardamom </li><li class="">Ground coriander </li><li class="">Black pepper </li><li class="">Cumin seeds </li><li class="">Bay leaf </li></ul>These spices are all toasted and ground together, although the exact proportions and ingredients of the blend differ from individual to individual and region to region.

What Is Garam Masala?

Read on to find out how to cook chana masala in an Instant Pot-style pressure cooker or slow cooker.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Set the pot to sauté mode. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Heat oil in the cooker and sauté onions until beginning to brown, 3 or 4 minutes. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Add the cloves garlic, ginger, and spices (except for amchoor) and stir to combine, cooking the onions down until soft. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Add the drained chickpeas, tomatoes, and ½ cup water. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Season to taste. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Set manual pressure cook time for 20 minutes. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. Release pressure, and bring back to saute mode. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 8. Add the amchoor, and adjust with water and seasoning for preferred consistency. </li></ol>

How to Cook Chana Masala in a Slow Cooker 

Some recipes call for green chilies, some skip it; some prefer a stew with more of a mashed consistency over a soupy one. It’s comfort food, so you should feel free to experiment with different ingredients and preparations. While it’s typically enjoyed at dinner, leftover chana masala with a dollop of Greek yogurt makes a great breakfast as well.

What Are Some Variations of Chana Masala?

Quick and Easy Chana Masala Recipe

Any Indian spread is incomplete without chana masala, a Punjabi dish meaning “mixed spice chickpeas.” Its signature spiced tang is thanks to coriander, amchoor powder (a tangy dried green mango powder), and a combination of fresh and powdered chilies. Chana masala is high in protein and fiber, thanks to its star ingredient of chickpeas.

Any Indian spread is incomplete without chana masala, a Punjabi dish meaning “mixed spice chickpeas.” Its signature spiced tang is thanks to coriander, amchoor powder (a tangy dried green mango powder), and a combination of fresh and powdered chilies. Chana masala is high in protein and fiber, thanks to its star ingredient of chickpeas.
