All recipes
Thick homemade chana masala finished with coriander and green chilli in a well-used saucepan
Chana masala in a rustic bowl – chickpeas in a rich dark gravy, garnished with coriander and green chilli, puris alongside.

Chana Masala

A store cupboard curry with real depth. Crushing a quarter of the chickpeas against the pan thickens the sauce without any cream.

Prep
10 mins
Cook
30 mins
Total
40 mins
Serves
4
Share on WhatsApp

Kitchen roadmap

Before you cook

The details that make or break this dish, mapped to the exact step where they matter.

  1. Watch forTake the onion to gold
  2. Watch forCook out the tomatoes
  3. Make sureMash only a quarter

Ingredients

Authentic Lahori All Purpose Mix pouchCooking this? You will need the mix.Add to basket

Method

10 steps

  1. Cook the onion in oil for 8–10 minutes until golden.

  2. Add the ginger and garlic paste and cook for 45 seconds.

  3. Add the tomatoes, tomato purée and 2 teaspoons AL Mix.

  4. Cook for 8 minutes, pressing the tomatoes down until a thick masala forms.

  5. Add the chickpeas and water.

  6. Mash approximately one-quarter of the chickpeas against the side of the pan.

    This naturally thickens the curry.

    A wooden spoon mashing a small portion of chickpeas against the side of a pan of chana masala

  7. Simmer uncovered for 12–15 minutes.

  8. Taste and add the remaining AL Mix or extra dried mango powder if it needs more sharpness.

  9. Garnish with coriander and green chilli.

  10. Serve with puri, naan, rice or a baked potato.

Cook this next

Classic chicken karahi in a black karahi, finished with ginger, green chilli and coriander in a home kitchen
55 mins

Classic Chicken Karahi

The one the mix was built for. Chicken cooked hard and fast until the tomatoes collapse into a thick masala and the oil separates around the edge.

Homemade butter chicken with charred chicken pieces in a creamy tomato sauce beside naan
45 mins

Creamy Butter Chicken

Yoghurt-marinated chicken charred in a hot pan, then folded into a glossy tomato and cream sauce. Rich, mild and the one children ask for again.

One-pot chicken pilau with separate basmati grains, bone-in chicken and browned onions
60 mins

One-Pot Chicken Pilau

Everything in one heavy pan: deeply browned onions, bone-in chicken, then rice steamed on top until every grain is separate and stained with masala.

Authentic Lahori All Purpose Mix pouch

Make it with the Authentic Lahori mix

One blend for karahi, curries, marinades, chips and everyday cooking.

Shop the Mix