Vegan Chickpea Tikka Masala

Hello, my beautiful chickpeas! Today's recipe is incredibly easy, reheats well as leftovers, and tastes indulgent while also packing in nutrients & plant based protein. This Vegan Chickpea Tikka Masala is sure to become a go-to weeknight dinner in your kitchen!

This Vegan Tikka Masala is my veganized take on the classic Indian dish. Go grab that can of chickpeas from your pantry, and let's get started!

Inspiration for Vegan Chickpea Tikka Masala

If you've ever been to an Indian restaurant, you probably have heard of chicken tikka masala. This is a curry dish that typically combines marinated chicken with a spiced tomato sauce. Like many curries, it is often served with rice and naan. Today's recipe is a veganized take on the classic! Mine is not the most authentic version, but it is reminiscent of the same overall flavors and experience.

My version uses chickpeas in place of the chicken. Because the chickpeas don't have to be marinated the way chicken would, this is a pretty simplified version! This version also doesn't use any dairy, or even any oil. We use coconut milk for creaminess, and the flavor blends beautifully with the rest of our vegan curry flavors!

Ingredients

Nothing super crazy here, in fact you may already have a lot of this in your pantry!

• Onion, tomato paste, ginger, & garlic: we start off our recipe with these as our base flavors. The onion and garlic bring us those deep savory flavors, while the ginger adds a bit of spice.
• Garam masala, turmeric, coriander, & cumin: our spices! Obviously necessary for a delicious vegan curry.
• Chickpeas: these replace the traditional chicken, and also pack in some plant based protein!
• Tomato puree & coconut milk: for the perfect consistency! These come together to make a savory but creamy texture. You can alter the amount of coconut milk based on how thick you prefer your vegan tikka masala.
• Coconut sugar: for just a tiny touch of sweetness.

How to Make Vegan Chickpea Tikka Masala

This Chickpea Tikka Masala is simple to make! Keep scrolling for the full recipe, but here are the basics.

1. Sauté the onion.
2. Add tomato paste, garlic, and ginger. Stir to combine and sauté another minute.
3. Add all the seasonings.
4. Pour in the chickpeas, tomato puree, and water. Stir well, then bring to a simmer. Simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes.
5. Stir in the coconut milk and coconut sugar. Bring to a simmer again and cook until the sauce has thickened.
6. Add salt to taste. Serve with rice, naan, and cilantro. Enjoy!

Tips & Tricks

This cozy meal will be one of your favorites in no time! Here are some tips & tricks on how to get the most out of this Vegan Tikka Masala.

• I've had a lot of curries, and I've learned that they can differ a LOT in thickness. You can change the thickness of your tikka masala by adding more or less coconut milk to fit your preference! I find that 1.5 cups of coconut milk is perfect for me.
• Not a chickpea fan? No worries! I haven't tested it myself, but I think this recipe would also be fun with my Crispy Baked Tofu in place of the chickpeas! I would suggest tossing in the tofu towards the end of step 5 to keep it as crispy as possible.
• I also love topping mine with a dollop of plain coconut yogurt. It adds a tiny bit of tang!
• Big curry fan? You'd also probably love my Vegan Butter Chicken With Soy Curls!

Enjoy!