Kala Chana (Punjabi Black Chickpeas Curry)

Name: Kala Chana (Punjabi Black Chickpeas Curry)
Prep time: 9 h
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 9 h 30 min
Cuisine: Asian, Indian
Ingredients: 1 cup/172 grams black chickpeas ((kala chana)); 2½ cups water (– for soaking); 2 tablespoons oil (or ghee (clarified butter)); 1 teaspoon cumin seeds; ½ cup/63 grams or 1 medium-sized onion (– finely chopped); 1¼ cup/185 grams or 2 medium-sized tomato (– finely chopped); 1 teaspoon or 4 to 5 small to medium-sized garlic cloves (– finely chopped); 1 teaspoon or 1 to 2 green chillies ( – finely chopped, swap with serrano pepper); 1 teaspoon or 1 inch ginger (– finely chopped); 1 teaspoon kashmiri chilli powder (or ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper ); ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder ((ground turmeric)); 1 teaspoon coriander powder ((ground coriander)); 1 pinch asafetida ((hing), optional); 1.5 cups water (or as required); salt (as required); ½ teaspoon garam masala (or Punjabi garam masala); 1 to 2 tablespoons coriander leaves (– chopped, optional)

Instructions

Prep:9hCook:30min

Kala Chana is a traditional Punjabi black chickpeas curry prepared in an onion-tomato masala with everyday Indian spices and herbs. It has a balanced, mildly spicy and earthy flavor. The dish is typically served with roti, paratha or steamed rice as a wholesome North Indian meal.

Updated at: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:43:38 GMT