๐Ÿฒ Spinach Chickpea Curry

(Keerai Kadalai | Chole Palak)

A comforting spinach chickpea curry, perfect with chapati or rice

Spice Level: ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ
Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Serves: 3โ€“4
Calories (approx): 220 kcal

๐Ÿก Pantries of Plenty

๐ŸŒฟ Introduction

There are days when cooking feels like a quiet rhythm rather than a task.


A handful of greens, a can of chickpeas, and a few familiar spices โ€” thatโ€™s all it takes.

This spinach chickpea curry is one of those gentle meals.
It doesnโ€™t demand attention. It simply comes together, simmering into something warm, nourishing, and deeply comforting.

โ€œIn the simplest meals, we often find the deepest comfort.โ€

Spinach Chickpea Curry

Photo by Stirred By Spice

๐Ÿ“ Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 packet spinach (fresh, loosely packed)

  • 1 cup chickpeas (cooked or canned, drained)

For Masala Base:

For Blending:

  • 1/2 cup yogurt (optional)

  • Blanched Spinach

For Garnish

  • Fresh coriander leaves, chopped

๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Instructions

  • Prep the Greens โ€“ Lightly steam or sautรฉ spinach until wilted/blanched. Cool slightly.

  • Blend Base โ€“ Blend spinach with yogurt (if using) into a smooth puree.

  • Build the Tempering โ€“ Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.

  • Sautรฉ Aromatics โ€“ Add chopped onions and cook until soft and lightly golden. Add garlic and sautรฉ until fragrant.

  • Bloom the Spices โ€“ Add turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder, crushed Kasuri Methi and cumin powder. Mix and cook briefly until aromatic.

  • Add Spinach Puree โ€“ Pour in the spinach mixture and simmer gently.

  • Add Chickpeas โ€“ Stir in chickpeas and mix well.

  • Simmer to Finish โ€“ Add water if needed and let it cook for 8โ€“10 minutes until flavors come together.

  • Final Touch โ€“ Add garam masala and garnish with fresh coriander.


๐Ÿงก Curious what tools I use in my everyday kitchen?


You can find my trusted cookware and appliances here โ†’ My Kitchen Resources

๐Ÿท Optional Serving Notes

Serve hot with soft chapati or phulka

Pair with steamed rice for a simple meal

Add a side of yogurt or pickle for balance

For the Curious Home Cook

Spices are more than heat or color โ€” theyโ€™re the quiet backbone of everyday Indian cooking.


Used with care, they bring warmth, balance, and depth to even the simplest meals.

If youโ€™ve ever wondered why certain spices are paired together, or how masalas shape flavor without overwhelming it,

Iโ€™ve gathered those foundations into a gentle, practical guide.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Soulful Note

This is the kind of dish that doesnโ€™t try to impress โ€” yet stays with you.
It reminds you that nourishment doesnโ€™t have to be elaborate.

Just a warm pan, simple ingredients, and the quiet comfort of something made at home.

๐Ÿ“š Cookโ€™s Wisdom / FAQs

๐Ÿ“šCook's Wisdom:

  • Can I skip yogurt?
    Yes, yogurt is optional. It adds slight creaminess but the curry works beautifully without it.

  • Can I use frozen spinach?
    Absolutely. Thaw and use directly for convenience.

  • How do I adjust thickness?
    Add more water for a thinner curry or simmer longer for a thicker consistency.

  • Can I use dried chickpeas?
    Yes, soak overnight and pressure cook before using.

  • Is this North or South Indian?
    This dish beautifully sits between both โ€” keerai kadalai in the South, chole palak in the North.

๐Ÿ“Š Nutrition (Per Serving โ€” Approx.)

  • Calories 220

  • Protein 9g

  • Carbs 28g

  • Fat 8g

  • Fiber 7g

๐Ÿณ Helpful Kitchen Equipment

The right kitchen tools make everyday cooking smoother and more enjoyable. These are the essentials I regularly use in my kitchen for preparing Indian meals with ease.

โ€ข Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot โ€“ Perfect for cooking rice dishes, lentils, and one-pot meals quickly while preserving flavor and texture.

โ€ข High-Speed Blender โ€“ Ideal for chutneys, spice pastes, and smooth gravies that form the base of many Indian recipes.

โ€ข Stainless Steel Kadai โ€“ A versatile pan for sautรฉing spices, simmering curries, and building deep layered flavors.

You can find all my everyday kitchen essentials on my Kitchen Resources page here โ†’

If Youโ€™d Like to Go Deeper..

Many of the dishes on this page are built on quiet spice knowledge โ€”

the kind learned slowly, through observation, repetition, and care.

If youโ€™d like a deeper understanding of Indian spices and everyday masalas โ€”

how to choose them, use them, and build confidence over time โ€”

you may enjoy the guide Iโ€™ve created alongside this kitchen.

๐Ÿƒ๐ŸŒถ๐Ÿƒ The Bottom Line

Some meals donโ€™t ask for attention โ€” they simply offer comfort.

This spinach chickpea curry is one of those quiet, dependable dishes.

A reminder that the simplest ingredients, when brought together with care, can feel like home in a bowl. ๐ŸŒฟ

๐Ÿงก Meet the Heart Behind the Spice

Maya Shetty โ€“ Stirred By Spice Author Photo

Hi, Iโ€™m Maya Shetty โ€” cook, storyteller, and spice lover.

Through Stirred By Spice, I share recipes that warm both the kitchen and the heart โ€” where simple ingredients and warm flavors turn everyday meals into moments of connection.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Iโ€™d Love to Hear From You!

Your words, memories, and reflections mean the world to me.
Share your thoughts using the form below โ€” I read every message.

Affiliate Disclosure:

Some links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate,

I earn from qualifying purchases โ€”at no extra cost to you.

I only recommend tools I personally use and trust in my own kitchen.

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