If you're a fan of flavorsome and hearty meals, this slow cooker chickpea curry recipe is for you. It brings together the soft texture of chickpeas and sweet potatoes with the bold flavors of curry and coconut milk. This is a meal that's not only satisfying but also loaded with healthy ingredients, making it a perfect choice for any day of the week.
The main ingredient that might not be readily available in your pantry is curry powder. It's a spice mix with a warm and robust flavor, often including turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, and chili peppers. You can find it in the spice aisle of most supermarkets. The other ingredient to be aware of is coconut milk. It is a popular ingredient in many Asian cuisines, found in the international food aisle.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry
Olive oil: A healthy cooking oil used to sauté the onions and form the base of the curry.
Yellow onion: Adds a sweet flavor and texture to the curry.
Dried chickpeas: The main protein in this curry, they provide a satisfying bite.
Curry powder: Gives the curry its characteristically warm and spicy flavor.
Sweet potato: Gives the curry an earthy sweetness and adds to the hearty texture.
Bell peppers: Adds a crunchy texture and a hint of sweetness.
Tomatoes: Forms the base of the curry and gives it a tangy flavor.
Coconut milk: Adds creaminess and a rich, slightly sweet flavor to the curry.
Garlic: Adds a pungent, spicy flavor that's essential in most curries.
Chili: Adds heat to the curry. Adjust the amount based on your heat preference.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors in the curry.
Spinach: Adds a fresh, slightly bitter flavor and loads of nutrients.
Rice: Serves as the base of the dish, soaking up all the delicious curry flavors.
Cilantro: Adds a fresh, citrusy flavor to the finished curry.
Lime or lemon wedges: A squeeze of citrus adds a final touch of tangy freshness.
One reader, Frans Kenny says:
This slow cooker chickpea curry recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are rich and comforting, and the chickpeas turn out perfectly tender. It's so convenient to throw everything in the slow cooker and come home to a delicious, healthy meal. I love how versatile and satisfying this dish is!
Key Techniques for Mastering Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry
How to prepare the slow cooker chickpea curry: This involves combining the ingredients in the slow cooker in a specific order to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.
How to cook on low for 6 to 8 hours: This requires monitoring the curry after 4 hours, checking for tenderness of the chickpeas, and adjusting the liquid level if necessary.
How to serve with spinach: This involves wilting the spinach by serving the hot curry over it and stirring to incorporate.
How to store leftovers: This includes proper storage techniques to maintain the quality of the curry for future consumption.
How To Make Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry
An immensely flavorful slow cooker chickpea curry recipe that is perfect on top of rice. You can even freeze this to pair it with your other meals.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1tbspolive oil
- 1medium yellow onion,diced
- 1lbdried chickpeas,rinsed
- 2tbspcurry powder
- 1large white-fleshed sweet potato,peeled and diced
- 1bell peppers,large or two small sweet, diced, red or yellow, about ½ pound
- 28oztomatoes,1 can, diced
- 15½ozcoconut milk,1 can
- 1¼cupswater
- 3garlic cloves,minced
- 1serrano,jalapeño or fresno chili, diced, optional
- 1tspsalt
- 6cupsspinach,roughly chopped, to serve
- rice,cooked to serve, optional
- cilantro,chopped to serve
- lime,or lemon wedges, to serve
Instructions
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Combine the ingredients in the slow cooker. Drizzle olive oil in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker then add onion and stir to coat. Pour dried chickpeas on top, then sprinkle the curry powder evenly over the beans.
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Follow with sweet potato, bell pepper, tomatoes, coconut milk, water, garlic, chili pepper (if using), and salt. Do not stir.
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Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. If you’re around, stir the curry after about 4 hours and give it a check.
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Serve with spinach. Stir the curry well. Taste and add additional salt if needed. Serve the curry over bowls of chopped spinach, stirring to wilt the spinach.
Nutrition
- Calories: 319.04kcal
- Fat: 13.98g
- Saturated Fat: 8.84g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.16g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.64g
- Carbohydrates: 40.84g
- Fiber: 8.97g
- Sugar: 8.91g
- Protein: 12.25g
- Sodium: 279.01mg
- Calcium: 83.54mg
- Potassium: 847.11mg
- Iron: 4.68mg
- Vitamin A: 239.27µg
- Vitamin C: 40.78mg
Elevate Your Chickpea Curry with This Simple Technique
When preparing the chickpea curry, it's important to remember that the size of your chickpeas can affect the cooking time. Smaller chickpeas will cook faster than larger ones. Also, soaking the chickpeas overnight before cooking can help them cook more evenly and become tender more quickly. However, if you prefer a firmer texture in your chickpeas, you can skip the soaking process. Additionally, while adding the spinach, ensure to add it at the end of the cooking process as it wilts quickly. If added too early, it may overcook and lose its vibrant color and nutrients.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Curry Recipe
Prep ahead: Chop and measure all the ingredients the night before to save time on the day of cooking.
Use canned chickpeas: If you're short on time, you can use canned chickpeas instead of dried ones to cut down on cooking time.
High setting: If you're in a rush, you can cook the curry on the high setting for 3-4 hours instead of the low setting for 6-8 hours.
Quick wilt: Instead of wilting the spinach in the slow cooker, you can quickly wilt it in a pan on the stove while the curry is cooking.
Pre-cut veggies: Consider using pre-cut vegetables to save time on prep work.
Instant pot: If you have an Instant Pot, you can use the pressure cooking function to significantly reduce the cooking time for this recipe.
Frozen veggies: Using frozen chopped onions and bell peppers can save time on chopping and prep work.
Pre-made curry paste: Using pre-made curry paste can save time on measuring and mixing individual spices.
Substitute Ingredients For Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry Recipe
olive oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can add a slightly sweet and nutty flavor to the dish, which complements the curry spices well.
yellow onion - Substitute with white onion: White onions have a slightly milder flavor compared to yellow onions, and they work well in slow-cooked dishes.
dried chickpeas - Substitute with canned chickpeas: Canned chickpeas are pre-cooked and can be added directly to the slow cooker, saving time and effort.
curry powder - Substitute with garam masala: Garam masala offers a more complex and aromatic blend of spices, adding depth of flavor to the curry.
white-fleshed sweet potato - Substitute with butternut squash: Butternut squash has a similar sweet and nutty flavor and holds up well in slow cooking, adding a creamy texture to the curry.
bell peppers - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini can provide a similar texture and mild flavor, adding a pop of color and nutrients to the dish.
tomatoes - Substitute with canned diced tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes are a convenient alternative and can be used in place of fresh tomatoes.
coconut milk - Substitute with cashew cream: Cashew cream offers a creamy and rich texture, similar to coconut milk, and adds a nutty undertone to the curry.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used as a convenient alternative and provides a milder flavor compared to fresh garlic.
serrano, jalapeño or fresno chili - Substitute with crushed red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes can add heat and a subtle smokiness to the curry, similar to fresh chilies.
spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale holds up well in slow cooking and offers a similar earthy flavor and nutrient-packed addition to the curry.
rice - Substitute with quinoa: Quinoa is a nutritious alternative to rice and can soak up the flavors of the curry while adding a nutty taste and fluffy texture.
cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley can provide a fresh and herbaceous flavor, similar to cilantro, and is a suitable garnish for the curry.
lime or lemon wedges - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar can add a tangy and acidic element to the dish, similar to the citrusy brightness of lime or lemon.
Presentation Tips for a Delightful Chickpea Curry
Elevate the plating: Arrange the chickpea curry in a shallow bowl, ensuring that the vibrant colors of the dish are showcased beautifully. The curry should be the focal point, with the spinach and cilantro garnish adding a pop of green to the presentation.
Incorporate texture: Consider adding a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes or crushed roasted cashews on top of the curry to provide a delightful crunch and elevate the overall dining experience.
Create a visual contrast: Place a small mound of fluffy, aromatic rice alongside the curry, creating a striking contrast in colors and textures. The rice should be delicately shaped to add an element of finesse to the plating.
Lemon or lime wedges: Serve the dish with a neatly sliced lemon or lime wedge placed on the side of the bowl, adding a touch of freshness and a burst of citrus flavor to complement the rich and aromatic curry.
Attention to detail: Ensure that the rim of the serving bowl is clean and free of any spills or smudges, presenting a polished and professional appearance to the judges.
Essential Tools for Making Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry
- Olive oil: A staple in cooking, olive oil is used for sautéing, roasting, and dressing dishes.
- Slow cooker: A convenient kitchen appliance for slow cooking dishes over a long period of time, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to tenderize.
- Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping and preparing ingredients.
- Knife: Essential for slicing, dicing, and chopping various ingredients.
- Measuring spoons: Used to accurately measure small amounts of ingredients for recipes.
- Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring dry and liquid ingredients for recipes.
- Can opener: Necessary for opening canned ingredients such as tomatoes and coconut milk.
- Garlic press: A tool used to crush and mince garlic cloves.
- Slow cooker: A convenient kitchen appliance for slow cooking dishes over a long period of time, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to tenderize.
- Saucepan: Used for cooking and simmering the curry on the stovetop before transferring to the slow cooker.
- Stirring spoon: Essential for stirring and combining ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Serving bowls: Used for serving the finished chickpea curry.
- Rice cooker: Optional for cooking rice to serve with the chickpea curry.
- Citrus juicer: Used for juicing lemons or limes for garnishing the curry.
- Chef's knife: A versatile kitchen tool for chopping, slicing, and dicing various ingredients.
- Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping and preparing ingredients.
- Can opener: Necessary for opening canned ingredients such as tomatoes and coconut milk.
- Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring dry and liquid ingredients for recipes.
- Measuring spoons: Used to accurately measure small amounts of ingredients for recipes.
- Saucepan: Used for cooking and simmering the curry on the stovetop before transferring to the slow cooker.
- Stirring spoon: Essential for stirring and combining ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Serving bowls: Used for serving the finished chickpea curry.
- Rice cooker: Optional for cooking rice to serve with the chickpea curry.
- Citrus juicer: Used for juicing lemons or limes for garnishing the curry.
Storing and Freezing Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry
Let the chickpea curry cool completely before storing or freezing. This will prevent condensation from forming and potentially spoiling the dish.
For short-term storage, transfer the cooled curry to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. The flavors will continue to develop and meld together over time, making for even tastier leftovers.
When reheating refrigerated curry, add a splash of water or coconut milk to help loosen the sauce and prevent it from drying out. Heat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
To freeze the curry for longer storage:
- Portion the cooled curry into freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, leaving some headspace for expansion during freezing.
- Label the containers or bags with the date and contents for easy identification later.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. The texture of the sweet potatoes and chickpeas may change slightly after freezing, but the flavor will still be delicious.
To reheat frozen curry, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave. Once thawed, transfer the curry to a saucepan and heat gently over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a little water or coconut milk if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
If you plan on freezing the curry, consider cooking the spinach separately and adding it when reheating. This will help maintain its vibrant color and texture.
Cooked rice can also be frozen separately in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Reheat the rice in the microwave with a sprinkle of water, fluffing it with a fork to separate the grains.
Reheating Leftover Chickpea Curry for Optimal Flavor
- Reheat the leftover chickpea curry in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches the desired temperature. This method allows you to control the heat and ensure even reheating without overcooking the chickpeas or vegetables.
- If the curry appears too thick, add a splash of water or coconut milk to help loosen it up and restore its original consistency.
- For a quicker reheating option, transfer the desired portion of chickpea curry to a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until it's heated through.
- If you have stored the rice separately, you can reheat it in the microwave or by steaming it in a saucepan with a small amount of water.
- To add a fresh twist to your leftover curry, garnish it with a handful of freshly chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime or lemon juice before serving. This will brighten up the flavors and give the dish a new lease on life.
- If you have any leftover spinach, you can stir it into the reheated curry to add a pop of color and an extra dose of nutrients.
- For a crispy texture contrast, consider serving the reheated chickpea curry with a side of warm naan bread or papadums.
Interesting Trivia About Chickpea Curry
The chickpea curry recipe is a great source of plant-based protein and fiber, making it a nutritious and filling meal option. Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a key ingredient in this recipe and are packed with essential nutrients such as iron, folate, and manganese. Additionally, the combination of spices and flavors in this curry provides a delicious and aromatic experience for the taste buds. This dish is a perfect example of how plant-based meals can be both healthy and satisfying.
Budget-Friendly: Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry
This slow cooker chickpea curry recipe is highly cost-effective for a household. Chickpeas are an affordable source of protein and fiber, while the addition of sweet potatoes and spinach provides essential nutrients. The use of coconut milk and curry powder adds depth of flavor without breaking the bank. With an approximate cost of $15, this recipe can feed a family of four for multiple meals, making it a budget-friendly and nutritious option. Overall Verdict: 9/10
Is This Chickpea Curry Recipe Healthy?
This slow cooker chickpea curry recipe is generally healthy, offering a variety of nutritious ingredients:
- Chickpeas are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and essential nutrients
- Sweet potatoes provide complex carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins A and C
- Bell peppers and spinach add more fiber, vitamins, and minerals
- Coconut milk contains healthy fats, but it is also high in calories and saturated fat
- The recipe uses a moderate amount of olive oil, which is a healthy fat
- The curry powder and other spices add flavor without excessive sodium or unhealthy additives
To make this recipe even healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Use light coconut milk instead of regular to reduce the calorie and saturated fat content
- Increase the amount of vegetables, such as adding carrots, zucchini, or cauliflower, to boost the fiber and nutrient content
- Reduce the amount of coconut milk and replace it with more water or low-sodium vegetable broth to decrease the calorie density
- Serve the curry with brown rice instead of white rice for added fiber and nutrients
- Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro or mint for extra flavor and antioxidants
- Adjust the spiciness level to your preference by modifying the amount of chili pepper used
Editor's Take on This Delightful Chickpea Curry
This slow cooker chickpea curry recipe is a delightful and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cozy night in. The combination of chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and aromatic spices creates a rich and satisfying curry that is both hearty and nutritious. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, resulting in a creamy and comforting dish. The addition of spinach adds a pop of freshness and color, while the cilantro and lime garnish provide a bright and zesty finish. This recipe is a wonderful option for a wholesome and delicious meal that can be enjoyed any day of the week.
Enhance Your Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Delicious Alternatives to Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry
Appetizers and Desserts to Complement Your Chickpea Curry
Why trust this Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry Recipe:
This slow cooker chickpea curry recipe offers a delightful blend of flavors and nutrients. The combination of curry powder, coconut milk, and spices creates a rich and aromatic base, while the addition of sweet potato and bell peppers provides a hearty and wholesome texture. The use of dried chickpeas ensures a satisfying and protein-packed dish. The inclusion of spinach adds a pop of freshness and vitamins. This recipe is a testament to the versatility and health benefits of plant-based cooking, making it a trustworthy and delicious choice for any home cook.
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