Main Course · Dinner · Indian ·

Spiced Indian Chana Masala with Cumin and Coriander

Name: Spiced Indian Chana Masala with Cumin and Coriander
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups dried chickpeas, soaked overnight; 2 tbsp cooking oil; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 2 medium tomatoes, chopped; 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste; 2 tsp ground cumin; 2 tsp ground coriander; 1 tsp turmeric powder; 1 tsp red chili powder; Salt, to taste; 2 ½ cups water; 1 tsp cumin seeds; 1 tsp garam masala; ½ tsp fennel seeds; 2 bay leaves; 4 cloves; 2 green cardamom pods; Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped; 1 tsp lemon juice

Enjoy this hearty and flavorful chana masala, a staple dish in Indian cuisine, perfect for any meal, offering a rich combination of spices and textures.

4.6(259 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 10, 2025

Spiced Indian Chana Masala with Cumin and Coriander — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Chana Masala

For the Spice Mix

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 393 kcal
Protein: 14.9 g
Carbs: 56.9 g
Fat: 13.9 g
Fiber: 11.9 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1570 kcal
Protein: 59.6 g
Carbs: 227.5 g
Fat: 55.5 g
Fiber: 47.5 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 ½ cups dried chickpeas soaked overnight	1080	54	180	18	40
2 tbsp cooking oil	240	0	0	28	0
1 large onion finely chopped	60	1.6	14	0.2	3
2 medium tomatoes chopped	44	2	10	0.5	2
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste	15	0.5	3	0.1	0.5
2 tsp ground cumin	16	0.8	2.8	0.9	0.9
2 tsp ground coriander	8	0.4	1.4	0.4	0.8
1 tsp turmeric powder	8	0.2	1.4	0.2	0.5
1 tsp red chili powder	6	0.3	1.2	0.3	0.9
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
2 ½ cups water	0	0	0	0	0
1 tsp cumin seeds	16	0.8	2.8	0.9	0.9
1 tsp garam masala	7	0.3	1.3	0.3	0.5
½ tsp fennel seeds	5	0.2	1	0.3	0.5
2 bay leaves	2	0.1	0.4	0.1	0.2
4 cloves	5	0.1	1	0.3	0.5
2 green cardamom pods	5	0.2	1	0.2	0.4
Fresh cilantro leaves chopped	1	0.1	0.2	0	0.1
1 tsp lemon juice	1	0	0.3	0	0.1

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Soaking the Chickpeas

1
Soak Chickpeas
Soak the chickpeas in a bowl of water overnight, ensuring they are fully submerged.
2
Drain Chickpeas
Drain and rinse the chickpeas before using.
3
Set Aside
Set aside until ready to cook.

Preparing the Spice Mix

1
Dry Roast Spices
Dry roast the cumin seeds, fennel seeds, cloves, cardamom pods, and bay leaves in a pan until aromatic.
2
Cool and Grind
Allow them to cool, then grind to a fine powder using a spice grinder.
Tip: Let the roasted spices cool completely before grinding to preserve potency.
3
Mix with Garam Masala
Mix with the garam masala for a perfect blend.
Tip: Ensure the spice mix is ground to a fine consistency to avoid grainy texture in the masala.

How to Make Spiced Indian Chana Masala with Cumin and Coriander

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Sautéing Aromatics
Heat oil in a large pot. Add onions and sauté until golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and continue to sauté for 2 minutes.
2
Creating the Base
Stir in tomatoes, salt, turmeric, red chili powder, ground cumin, and ground coriander. Cook until the tomatoes break down completely.
3
Simmering the Chana
Add the chickpeas and water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until tender.