Chana Pulao Recipe - Spicy Chickpea Rice Pilaf for a Quick and Healthy Meal
Ingredients
- Rice - 2 cups
- Water - 4 cups
- Oil - 1/2 cup
- Chickpeas - 1 1/2 cups (cooked)
- Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 Tbsp
- Tomatoes - 2 medium (chopped)
- Onion - 1 large (sliced)
- Green Chilies - 3-4 qty
- Black Pepper - 1 tsp
- Red Chili Flakes - 1 1/2 tsp
- Salt - to taste
Chana Pulao is a simple and flavorful dish made with basmati rice, tender chickpeas, and aromatic spices. This one-pot meal offers the perfect blend of protein and carbs, making it ideal for quick lunches or weeknight dinners. With bold flavors from garlic, green chilies, and tomatoes, it’s a satisfying vegan and gluten-free option that’s easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.
Versatile and convenient, Chana Pulao can be enjoyed on its own or paired with yogurt, raita, or curry for a more complete meal. It’s great for meal prep too, staying fresh and delicious for days. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or guests, this dish is sure to impress.
Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make Chana Pulao. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our Chana Pulao calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below.
Instructions
1) Rinse 2 cups of rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 20–30 minutes, then drain and set it aside.
2) In a large pot or deep pan, heat 1/2 cup of oil over medium heat. Add 1 large sliced onion and sauté until golden brown, stirring occasionally to ensure even browning.
3) Add 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste to the sautéed onions and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in 2 medium chopped tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 1/2 teaspoons of red chili flakes, and salt to taste. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the tomatoes soften and the mixture thickens.
4) Mix in 1 ½ cups of cooked chickpeas and 3-4 whole green chilies, stirring everything together to combine the flavors.
5) Add the soaked and drained rice to the pot, stirring gently to coat the grains with the spiced mixture. Pour in 4 cups of water, stir once, and bring the mixture to a boil.
6) Once the water starts to boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and let the rice cook for 18–20 minutes. Avoid opening the lid during cooking to allow the steam to cook the rice evenly.
7) After 20 minutes, turn off the heat and let the pulao rest for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving.
8) Serve the Chana Pulao hot, accompanied by yogurt, raita, or a side of curry. Enjoy!
Chana Pulao is a simple and flavorful dish made with basmati rice, tender chickpeas, and aromatic spices. This one-pot meal offers the perfect blend of protein and carbs, making it ideal for quick lunches or weeknight dinners. With bold flavors from garlic, green chilies, and tomatoes, it’s a satisfying vegan and gluten-free option that’s easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.
Versatile and convenient, Chana Pulao can be enjoyed on its own or paired with yogurt, raita, or curry for a more complete meal. It’s great for meal prep too, staying fresh and delicious for days. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or guests, this dish is sure to impress.
Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make Chana Pulao. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our Chana Pulao calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below.
Leave a review
We value your feedback. Let us know how did you like the recipe.
Recent Recipes
Cheesy Masala Smashed Potatoes – Spicy & Cheesy Potato Snack - Easy Recipe
Enjoy a mouthwatering Indian American fusion twist on smashed potatoes with this Cheesy Masala Smashed Potatoes recipe! Crispy baby potatoes are seasoned with butter, garlic, chaat masala, and red chili flakes, then topped with melted cheese for an irresistible savory snack. Perfect for gatherings or as a side dish, and delicious when served with ketchup or chili garlic sauce for extra flavor!
If you're craving a snack that’s crispy, cheesy, and bursting with flavor, these Cheesy Masala Smashed Potatoes are exactly what you need! This recipe combines the irresistible texture of smashed, oven-baked potatoes with a blend of spices like chaat masala, red chili flakes, and black pepper, giving each bite a perfect balance of heat and savory richness. Topped with melted cheese, these potatoes become a comforting, crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s easy to make and loaded with vibrant Indian-American Flavors.
Perfect for a Thanksgiving feast, game nights, or as a unique side dish, these smashed potatoes are simple to prepare and even easier to love. Serve them with a side of ketchup or chili garlic sauce for an added kick, and watch them disappear! Whether you're entertaining or just treating yourself, these Cheesy Masala Smashed Potatoes are sure to become a favorite snack in no time!
Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make Cheesy Masala Smashed Potatoes. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our Cheesy Masala Smashed Potatoes calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below.
Tandoori Roasted Cauliflower Recipe - Quick & Easy Thanksgiving Side Dish
Bring bold, spiced flavors to your Thanksgiving table with this Tandoori Roasted Cauliflower recipe. This dish features tender cauliflower florets marinated in a mix of yogurt, garam masala, turmeric, Kashmiri chili powder, and other fragrant spices, then oven-roasted to perfection. Finished with a touch of cilantro, this vibrant, vegetarian dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and a beautiful addition to your holiday spread.
This Tandoori Roasted Cauliflower adds bold, spiced flavors to your Thanksgiving table. Marinated in yogurt, garam masala, turmeric, and other aromatic spices, the cauliflower florets are oven-roasted to golden perfection, delivering a beautiful, tender side that’s as delicious as it is eye-catching. Perfect for those looking to add a vegetarian option with a flavorful twist!
Quick to prepare, this recipe features cauliflower lightly blanched, then coated in a tangy, spice-infused yogurt marinade. Roasted until just right, it’s topped with fresh cilantro for a vibrant, healthy addition to any holiday meal. A unique side that’s sure to impress your guests!
Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make Tandoori Roasted Cauliflower We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our Tandoori Roasted Cauliflower calories and nutrition information.
Poha Chivda - How to Make Chivda - Quick & Easy Diwali Recipe
This quick and easy Chivda recipe is a classic Diwali snack! Made with SWAD Thick Poha, SWAD Peanuts, Cashews, Almonds, and Golden Raisins, it’s packed with crunchy and flavorful ingredients. Learn how to make Chivda with our easy to follow instructions and recipe video!
This classic Poha Chivda recipe, featuring SWAD Thick Poha and a medley of SWAD nuts, is the perfect snack for Diwali. Seasoned to perfection with curry leaves, chaat masala, and sugar, this easy to make crunchy snack has the perfect balance of salty, sweet and savory. Find everything you need for this recipe at your local Patel Brothers!
Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make Poha Chivda. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our Chivda calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below.
