Butter Chickpeas offers a delectable plant-based rendition of the beloved Butter Chicken, featuring tender chickpeas immersed in a luscious, creamy tomato sauce. This vibrant dish is expertly seasoned with smoky paprika and a harmonious blend of warm Indian spices, creating a comforting and incredibly flavorful meal. It pairs magnificently with steamed basmati rice and soft, pillowy naan bread, making it an ideal choice for any dinner occasion.
A Note from the Author
You Won’t Miss The Meat in This Creamy Chickpea Curry!
At my house, Butter Chicken has always been a top contender for favorite dinner, and my Butter Chicken Meatballs also make frequent appearances on our meal rotation. However, during the chaotic back-to-school season, I found myself longing for those comforting flavors without the extensive prep and cooking time. This led me to a brilliant shortcut: swapping chicken for protein-packed chickpeas, creating a truly effortless plant-based alternative.
The journey to perfect this Butter Chickpeas recipe involved several rounds of testing, adjusting spice levels to ensure it was kid-friendly while still retaining its authentic depth. The result is a sauce that is luxuriously silky, perfectly balanced in flavor, and remarkably easy to whip up on a busy weeknight. I proudly shared this recipe with my extended family, many of whom follow a vegetarian diet, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. They couldn’t stop raving about how incredibly flavorful it was, emphasizing that not a single bite made them miss the meat. It truly delivers all the comforting essence of butter chicken, but without the need for a long simmer, proving that delicious plant-based meals can be both quick and deeply satisfying.
Essential Butter Chickpeas Ingredients and Smart Swaps
Crafting the perfect Butter Chickpeas begins with a selection of fresh ingredients and a blend of aromatic spices. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need, along with some helpful tips and clever swaps to streamline your cooking process or cater to dietary needs.
| Ingredient | Swap or Tip for Best Results |
|---|---|
| Yellow onion | For ultimate time-saving, opt for pre-diced fresh or frozen yellow onion. Finely diced onion is key for a smooth sauce. |
| Garlic + Ginger | Freshly chopped offers the most potent flavor. Alternatively, use convenient frozen Dorot ginger and garlic cubes, or quality ginger and garlic pastes. |
| Spice Blend | To maximize flavor, always ‘bloom’ your spices in hot oil for 30–60 seconds before adding liquids. Be mindful that turmeric can stain surfaces easily. |
| Crushed tomatoes | Using fire-roasted crushed tomatoes will introduce an incredible depth and smoky complexity to your sauce. |
| Chickpeas | Always thoroughly rinse canned chickpeas. This removes excess sodium and any starchy liquid, resulting in a cleaner flavor. |
| Heavy cream | For a delightful dairy-free and vegan version, substitute with full-fat coconut milk. It adds a subtle sweetness and creamy texture. |
| Unsalted butter | To make this dish completely vegan, use your favorite brand of high-quality vegan butter. |
| Sugar | A touch of sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Add only if your tomatoes taste particularly sharp or acidic. |
Mastering the Art: How to Make Perfect Butter Chickpeas
Creating this flavorful Butter Chickpeas dish is surprisingly simple, broken down into a few key steps that maximize taste and texture. Follow these instructions for a rich, aromatic curry that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
- Toast Aromatic Spices: Begin by warming olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the finely diced onion and sauté until it becomes translucent and begins to turn golden, typically around 3 minutes. Next, stir in the ginger paste, minced garlic, ground turmeric, smoked paprika, ground cumin, garam masala, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Continue to sauté the mixture, stirring constantly, for about 1–2 minutes until the spices are incredibly fragrant, being careful not to burn them. Blooming the spices in oil is crucial for unlocking their full flavor potential.
- Simmer to Perfection: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, sugar (if using), and thoroughly rinsed chickpeas. Give everything a good stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to just above low. Allow the curry to simmer for 10–15 minutes, or until the sauce has noticeably thickened and the chickpeas are tender, having absorbed the wonderful flavors.
- Achieve Silky Creaminess: Remove the pan from the heat. Gently fold in the heavy cream and unsalted butter. Stir continuously until the butter has completely melted and the sauce achieves a beautifully smooth, creamy consistency. If you’re adding fresh herbs, now is the perfect time to stir them through for a burst of freshness.
- Taste and Adjust: This is a crucial step! Taste the curry and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add a pinch more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicier kick. If the sauce appears too thick for your liking, thin it out with a small splash of water or coconut milk.
- Serve and Savor: Generously spoon the piping hot Butter Chickpeas over a bed of fluffy rice. Complement your meal with warm, soft naan bread, perfect for scooping up every delicious drop of the rich sauce. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful homemade Indian-inspired dish!
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
One of the many wonderful qualities of Butter Chickpeas is that its flavors deepen and meld beautifully as it sits. This makes it an absolutely ideal candidate for meal prep or for preparing ahead of time, especially if you anticipate hosting company and want to enjoy a stress-free experience. We often find that these butter chickpeas taste even better on day two!
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, this dish freezes exceptionally well for up to 3 months. To reheat, gently warm on the stove over medium-low heat or in the microwave. If the sauce has thickened too much during storage, add a splash of water or coconut milk to achieve your desired consistency.
Explore More Delicious Chickpea Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the versatility and flavor of chickpeas, you’re in for a treat! Discover more exciting ways to incorporate these nutritious legumes into your meals with our collection of other chickpea-centric recipes:
Dinner
Sausage and Chickpeas (One Pan!)
Dinner
General Tso Chickpeas
Lunch
Hummus Wraps (With Chickpeas!)
Snacks
Air Fryer Chickpeas
Butter Chickpeas
By Chelsea Lords
Butter Chickpeas offers a tasty plant-based twist on the classic Butter Chicken. This dish features a flavorful blend of smoky paprika and warm spices in a creamy tomato sauce, making it irresistible with rice and naan.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Recipe Video
A video showcasing the preparation of Butter Chickpeas would be embedded here.
Equipment
- Large pan
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup finely diced yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste (see Note 1)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon garam masala (see Note 2)
- 1-1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Fresh herbs (optional, see Note 3)
- Rice (see Note 4)
- Naan (see Note 5)
Instructions
- Add olive oil to a large pan over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the finely diced onion. Sauté until it starts to turn golden and translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in the ginger paste, minced garlic, turmeric, paprika, cumin, garam masala, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Continue to sauté the mixture until very fragrant, about 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, sugar, and thoroughly rinsed chickpeas. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to just above low, and let it simmer for 10–15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and the chickpeas are softened and infused with flavor.
- Turn off the heat. Gently fold in the heavy cream and butter, stirring continuously until the butter has completely melted and the sauce becomes smooth and rich. If you are adding fresh herbs, mix them through now. Taste the curry and adjust the seasoning to your preference, adding more salt or heat if needed.
- Ladle the warm Butter Chickpeas generously over a bed of freshly cooked or warmed rice. Serve alongside warmed or charred naan bread for dipping. Enjoy this satisfying and comforting plant-based meal!
Recipe Notes
Note 1: For a quick and convenient option, refrigerated garlic paste and minced ginger paste work wonderfully and save prep time.
Note 2: Garam masala is a complex blend of various spices. The flavor and heat intensity can vary significantly between brands. I personally recommend Private Selection® Garam Masala Blend for its consistent quality.
Note 3: While optional, adding about 1/3 cup of finely chopped fresh herbs significantly enhances the dish’s freshness and aroma. Cilantro is a classic choice, but basil or even parsley can also be delightful additions.
Note 4: Any rice will do! Use your preferred variety—freshly cooked basmati for an authentic touch, leftover rice for convenience, or even microwaveable Ready Rice® for the quickest option.
Note 5: Warm naan bread is the ultimate accompaniment for scooping up every delicious bite of this creamy chickpea and sauce. To char the naan for extra flavor, lightly spray both sides with cooking spray and grill over medium heat on a gas stovetop for 10–15 seconds per side, flipping with tongs. Once charred, fold it in half and cover with a towel to keep it warm until serving. Alternatively, you can warm it in a pan or microwave with a damp paper towel.
Storage: This dish is fantastic for meal prepping! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. When reheating on the stove or microwave, a splash of water or coconut milk might be needed to achieve the desired consistency.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1 serving
Calories: 576 kcal
Carbohydrates: 79g
Protein: 24g
Fat: 21g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g
Monounsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0.02g
Cholesterol: 36mg
Sodium: 290mg
Potassium: 1290mg
Fiber: 21g
Sugar: 23g
Vitamin A: 935 IU
Vitamin C: 24mg
Calcium: 201mg
Iron: 9mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Enjoyed this recipe? Share your thoughts and questions! Leave a comment below!
What to Serve with Your Delightful Butter Chickpeas
Butter Chickpeas is a versatile dish that pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides, enhancing its rich and aromatic flavors. Here are some of our favorite accompaniments:
- Rice: Basmati rice is the quintessential choice, its fluffy grains perfectly absorbing the creamy, spiced sauce. You can use freshly cooked rice, repurpose leftovers, or opt for convenient microwaveable Ready Rice® when time is short.
- Naan: Warm, soft, and slightly chewy naan bread is practically a requirement! It’s ideal for scooping up the last delicious drops of the rich butter chickpea sauce, acting as your edible utensil.
- Cucumber Raita: The cooling, refreshing qualities of a classic yogurt-based cucumber raita provide a wonderful contrast to the warm and spicy curry, balancing the richness of the sauce.
- Fresh Salad: A simple, crisp garden salad or a light cucumber-pepper salad adds a refreshing crunch and helps lighten the meal, providing a fresh counterpoint to the creamy curry.
- Roasted Vegetables: Enhance your meal with a side of lightly spiced roasted vegetables. Roasted cauliflower, broccoli, or carrots add an extra layer of flavor and nutrition, complementing the main dish beautifully.