Easy Palak Chana Recipe(Spinach with Chickpeas)
Easy Palak Chana Recipe is a simple and comforting Indian-style dish made with fresh spinach and garbanzo beans. It is healthy, filling, and packed with warm homemade flavor. This recipe I use my own, Preeti’s All Purpose Indian Kitchen Masala, which makes cooking easier because you do not need to measure many different spices.
Spinach and chickpeas are a classic combination in Indian cooking. The spinach becomes soft and flavorful while the garbanzo beans make the dish hearty and satisfying. Tomatoes and onions add freshness and balance, while a squeeze of lemon at the end brightens the entire dish.
This recipe is perfect for busy weekdays because it comes together in one pan with simple ingredients. You can serve it with rice, naan, roti, or even enjoy it on its own as a light meal. It is also naturally vegetarian and full of fiber and plant-based protein.
Easy Palak Chana Recipe – Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
- | Calories: 230 kcal
- | Carbohydrates: 22 g
- | Protein: 8 g
- | Fat: 13 g
- | Fiber: 7 g
- | Sugar: 5 g
- | Sodium: 320 mg
Nutrition values are per serving and may vary depending on the ingredients used.
How I Make Easy Palak Chana Recipe
I begin by heating oil in a pan and sautéing onions until they turn soft and translucent. Then I add tomatoes and cook them until they break down and become soft. This creates a light base for the spinach and chickpeas.
Next, I add fresh spinach and cook it until it wilts. Spinach cooks quickly and blends beautifully with the tomatoes and onions. Once the spinach softens, I add the cooked garbanzo beans and mix everything together.
Using a single spice blend can simplify cooking while still creating deep, layered flavor, especially in Indian dishes like curries and lentils.
To season the dish, I use Preeti’s All Purpose Indian Kitchen Masala along with salt. The spice blend adds warmth and balanced flavor without overpowering the vegetables and beans. A little water helps everything simmer together gently so the flavors blend well.
After cooking for a few minutes, I finish the dish with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice. The lemon adds brightness and freshness that makes the dish taste even better.
Interesting Spinach Fact
Spinach is a leafy green that cooks down quickly and is rich in iron, fiber, and antioxidants, making it a great base for healthy dishes like palak chana.
Easy Palak Chana Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Set of Measuring Spoons
- 1 One Set of measuring cups
- 1 Cutting Boards and Knives
- 1 Wok or wide pan
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh spinach washed and rinsed
- 1½ cups cooked garbanzo beans or 1 can, 15.5 ounces, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup sliced or chopped onions
- ½ cup chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Preeti’s All Purpose Indian Kitchen Masala
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- Fresh herbs for garnish optional
- Half lemon optional
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until soft and translucent.
- Add the tomatoes and cook until they become soft.
- Add the washed spinach and cook until the spinach wilts down.
- Add the cooked and drained garbanzo beans and mix everything well.
- Add 2 tablespoons of Preeti’s All Purpose Indian Kitchen Masala and salt. Stir well so the spices coat the spinach and beans evenly.
- Add ⅓ cup water and bring everything to a gentle boil. Cook uncovered on low for 5 to 10 minutes until the spinach is soft and the flavors have blended well.
- Top with fresh herbs, add a squeeze of lemon for brightness and serve hot.
- This Easy Palak Chana Recipe is a warm, healthy, and comforting dish made with spinach, garbanzo beans, and simple Indian spices.
Notes
Other Spinach Recipes You Should Try
Spinach Curry with Peas (Kashmiri Palak Matar Recipe)
Lasooni Palak (Garlicy Spinach Curry)
Instant Pot Palak Dal( Dal with Spinach)
Why You Should Try Easy Palak Chana Recipe
This recipe is a great choice when you want something healthy, simple, and comforting. Spinach adds nutrients and freshness, while garbanzo beans provide protein and make the dish filling. Together, they create a balanced meal that feels hearty without being too heavy.
Another reason to try this recipe is that it is beginner-friendly and easy to customize. You can make it thicker or lighter depending on how much water you use. You can also adjust the spice level to your taste.
Because this recipe uses Preeti’s All Purpose Indian Kitchen Masala, you get rich Indian flavor without needing many spice jars. It is an easy way to make homemade Indian food quickly while still tasting authentic and comforting.
Interesting Chickpea Fact
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are one of the oldest cultivated legumes in the world and are rich in plant-based protein and fiber that help keep you full longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Easy Palak Chana Recipe?
Easy Palak Chana Recipe is a simple Indian-style dish made with spinach and garbanzo beans cooked with onions, tomatoes, and warm spices.
2. Can I use canned chickpeas?
Yes, canned chickpeas work very well in this recipe. Just rinse and drain them before using.
3. Is this recipe healthy?
Yes, this recipe is rich in fiber, plant-based protein, and nutrients from spinach and chickpeas.
4. Can I make this recipe vegan?
This recipe is naturally vegan because it uses vegetables, beans, spices, and oil without dairy or meat.
5. What can I serve with palak chana?
Palak chana tastes great with rice, naan, roti, quinoa, or even toasted bread.
6. Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes, frozen spinach can be used if fresh spinach is not available. Thaw and drain excess water before adding.
7. How spicy is this recipe?
This recipe is mildly spiced, but you can add green chilies or extra masala if you prefer more heat.
8. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, palak chana stores well in the refrigerator and often tastes even better the next day.
9. Why add lemon at the end?
Lemon juice adds freshness and brightness that balances the earthy spinach and warm spices.
10. Can I add more vegetables?
Yes, you can add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, or peas to make the dish more filling.
11. What makes this recipe easy?
Using Preeti’s All Purpose Indian Kitchen Masala simplifies the recipe because you do not need many separate spices.
