Instant Pot Coconut Chickpea Curry

Healthy Vegan Curried Chickpeas

This coconut chickpea curry is a family favorite when it comes to Indian chickpea recipes made in the instant pot, and my kids love it as it is mild in taste. It is like Chana Masala with coconut milk! Did I tell you – this is a dump-and-go recipe? So that makes it my absolute favorite. I can prepare a healthy meal that the whole family loves without much effort on a weekday. The best win-win situation! Chickpeas are also known as garbanzo beans, and they are very nutritious. They provide you with the right amount of protein if you are following a vegan diet. Include them in your Meatless Monday dinners for a satisfying, wholesome meal. If you want more easy vegan curry ideas, check out my 20 Incredible Vegan Curry Recipes. If you do eat meat, check out my popular instant pot coconut chicken curry.

How to make Coconut Chickpea Curry in the Instant Pot?

Before starting to make this creamy coconut chickpea curry in an Instant Pot, make sure all the ingredients are ready. Luckily, this recipe calls for everyday pantry staples such as ginger, garlic, onions, tomatoes, chickpeas and coconut milk. Also, keep ready the spices such as Garam masala, Ground turmeric, Kashmiri red chili powder and ground cumin. If you are willing, I would highly recommend making homemade Garam Masala. It adds so much flavor to this curry!

Slit the green chilis, mince the garlic and ginger, and chop the onions and tomatoes. Then, add all the ingredients and spices powders except the coconut milk in the Instant pot steel insert as listed in the recipe card.

Close the lid with the vent in the sealing position. Set the Instant Pot to bean/chili mode for 30 minutes on high pressure. Then, when the pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally. If the pressure is not released completely, then you can do a manual release. Open the instant pot and then add the coconut milk to the mixture and stir well.

Then set the Instant Pot on sauté mode and let the curry simmer for a few minutes or until it thickens and gives a creamy consistency. Once you get the desired consistency, switch off the Instant Pot and garnish the chickpea curry with fresh cilantro leaves.

Enjoy this delicious Coconut Chickpea Curry. It is great over rice or with naan!

Pro-Tip

Make this curry even more nutritious by adding fresh greens like spinach or kale leaves. We typically enjoy this Coconut Chickpea Curry with rice. Make pot-in-pot brown rice along with this Coconut Chickpea Curry. The cooking time for dry chickpeas and pot-in-pot brown rice matches perfectly.

Common Questions

Can I freeze this Chickpea Curry?

Yes, you can freeze this chickpea curry by storing it in air-tight containers for up to 3 months. You can also store this curry in the refrigerator for 4-5 days

Can I use canned Chickpeas?

Yes, you can use both dried and canned chickpeas to make this dish. Personally, I prefer the dried ones to canned chickpeas. But, if you are in a hurry, then you can go for canned chickpeas.

No soaking is required. Add about 3 cups of canned chickpeas (about two 14oz cans) Add only 1 cup of water for cooking. Pressure cook for 8 minutes when using canned chickpeas. For pot-in-pot rice, use white basmati rice as the cooking time matches with canned chickpeas.

Serving Suggestions

Over rice: My preferred way. I cook pot-in-pot brown rice to have them ready at the same time. If using canned chickpeas, you can cook pot-in-pot white basmati rice. Enjoy this curry with quinoa, jasmine, or cauliflower rice. With Naan: Serve this creamy chickpea curry as a side dish when pairing it up with naan. Also, add some onion rings to the plate for a crunchy and delicious dinner platter. As a soup or part of a vegan bowl: You can also serve this curry as a soup or part of the vegan burrito bowl.