Chickpea & Spinach Curry with Coconut & Turmeric

Chickpea & Spinach Curry with Coconut & Turmeric

Mia

This vibrant chickpea and spinach curry brings together the best of Mediterranean and South Asian culinary traditions, creating a wholesome plant-based dish that's both nourishing and deeply satisfying. The golden turmeric-infused coconut sauce envelops tender chickpeas and wilted spinach in a velvety embrace, while aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, and ginger create layers of complex flavor that develop beautifully as the curry simmers.

What makes this curry truly special is its alignment with Mediterranean Diet principles while borrowing inspiration from Indian cooking techniques. The use of extra virgin olive oil, abundant vegetables, legumes, and anti-inflammatory spices creates a dish that's as healthful as it is delicious. Coconut milk provides richness without dairy, while turmeric offers its renowned health benefits alongside its gorgeous golden hue.

Ready in just 30 minutes, this curry proves that healthy weeknight cooking doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. The chickpeas provide plant-based protein and fiber, while fresh spinach adds iron and vitamins. Serve it over fluffy basmati rice, with warm whole wheat naan, or alongside quinoa for a complete meal that will warm you from the inside out.

This recipe is perfect for meal prep, as the flavors deepen and meld beautifully overnight. It's also highly adaptable—add diced tomatoes for acidity, swap kale for spinach, or adjust the spice level to your preference. Whether you're a committed plant-based eater or simply looking to incorporate more meatless meals into your week, this curry delivers comfort, nutrition, and flavor in equal measure.

Nutrition

30 minutes
None servings
385 calories
Fat 18.00g
Carbs 45.00g
Protein 13.00g

Ingredients

2 tbspextra virgin olive oil
1 mediumyellow onion, diced
4 clovesgarlic, minced
1 tbspfresh ginger, minced
1.5 tspground turmeric
1.5 tspground cumin
1 tspground coriander
0.5 tsppaprika
0.25 tspcayenne pepper (optional)
2 cans (15 oz each)chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 can (14 oz)coconut milk, full-fat
0.5 cupvegetable broth
5 cupsfresh spinach, packed
2 tbsplemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 tspsea salt
0.5 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
0.25 cupfresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
measuring spoons
measuring cups
wooden spoon or spatula
chef's knife
can opener
citrus juicer
colander
large deep skillet or Dutch oven

16:8 Diet

This nutrient-dense curry is ideal for 16:8 intermittent fasting eating windows, providing sustained energy from protein and fiber-rich chickpeas, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates that help maintain satiety throughout the fasting period.

80/20 Diet

This recipe fits the 80/20 principle perfectly, with over 80% of ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods including vegetables, legumes, and anti-inflammatory spices. The minimal use of oil and coconut milk keeps the focus on wholesome, fiber-rich plant foods.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This curry is powerfully anti-inflammatory, featuring turmeric and ginger as star ingredients alongside garlic, leafy greens, and legumes. The recipe avoids all processed foods and refined ingredients while emphasizing omega-3-rich ingredients and antioxidant-packed spices that actively combat inflammation.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with 100% whole, unprocessed ingredients in their natural state including fresh vegetables, dried legumes, and pure spices. Every ingredient is recognizable and minimally processed, with no refined sugars, artificial additives, or preservatives.

Daniel Fast

This recipe is completely Daniel Fast compliant, using only whole, unprocessed plant-based ingredients including legumes, vegetables, and plant oils. It contains no animal products, refined grains, added sweeteners, or processed ingredients, making it perfect for spiritual fasting.

DASH Diet

This curry aligns with DASH Diet principles by emphasizing vegetables, legumes, and plant-based protein while using herbs and spices for flavor instead of excessive salt. The chickpeas provide potassium, magnesium, and fiber, while the recipe naturally avoids processed ingredients and saturated fats.

Detox Diet

This curry supports natural detoxification with organic whole foods, abundant leafy greens, legumes, and detoxifying spices like turmeric and ginger. It contains no dairy, gluten, refined sugars, processed foods, or artificial additives, focusing instead on nutrient-dense plant ingredients.

Diabetic Diet

This recipe is diabetic-friendly with low glycemic index chickpeas providing steady energy, abundant non-starchy vegetables, and no added sugars or refined carbohydrates. The fiber and protein content help maintain stable blood sugar levels while the healthy fats from coconut milk and olive oil support balanced nutrition.

Engine 2 Diet

This recipe is Engine 2 compliant as it's 100% plant-based with no animal products and uses minimal oil (the 2 tbsp olive oil could be replaced with water-sautéing for strict adherence). It emphasizes whole plant foods including legumes, vegetables, and natural seasonings without processed ingredients.

Flexitarian Diet

This recipe is perfect for flexitarian eating, featuring plant-based ingredients as the complete foundation with chickpeas providing protein, abundant vegetables, and whole food ingredients. It demonstrates how satisfying meatless meals can be while supporting a primarily plant-based approach.

Gluten-Free Diet

This naturally gluten-free curry contains no wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing ingredients, relying instead on whole foods like chickpeas, vegetables, and naturally gluten-free spices. It's safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity when served with gluten-free accompaniments.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This heart-healthy curry features olive oil, legumes rich in soluble fiber, and anti-inflammatory spices while completely avoiding saturated fats, processed foods, and excessive sodium. The plant-based ingredients support cardiovascular health and help manage cholesterol levels naturally.

High-Fiber Diet

This curry is exceptionally high in fiber, with chickpeas providing approximately 12-15g of fiber per serving along with additional fiber from spinach and vegetables. The combination of legumes and leafy greens makes this an excellent choice for meeting daily fiber goals.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense curry is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing sustained energy from plant-based protein and fiber-rich chickpeas, healthy fats from coconut milk, and complex carbohydrates that support stable blood sugar levels throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This satisfying curry supports intuitive eating principles by offering a balanced, nourishing meal that provides both pleasure and nutrition without restriction or guilt. It's flavorful, filling, and demonstrates how wholesome foods can be deeply satisfying.

Mayo Clinic Diet

This recipe aligns with Mayo Clinic Diet principles by emphasizing vegetables, legumes for plant-based protein, whole food ingredients, and healthy fats from olive oil. It's nutrient-dense, portion-appropriate, and avoids processed foods and refined ingredients entirely.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe perfectly embodies Mediterranean Diet principles with its foundation of extra virgin olive oil, abundant vegetables (spinach), legumes (chickpeas), and anti-inflammatory herbs and spices. The dish avoids processed ingredients and red meat while emphasizing plant-based proteins and healthy fats, making it an ideal Mediterranean meal.

MIND Diet

This recipe supports brain health with MIND Diet-approved ingredients including leafy greens (spinach), beans (chickpeas), olive oil as the primary fat, and anti-inflammatory spices. It avoids all the foods the MIND Diet limits while emphasizing nutrients that support cognitive function.

Mindful Eating

This recipe is perfect for mindful eating with its vibrant colors, complex aromatic spices, varied textures from tender chickpeas and wilted spinach, and layers of flavor that develop during cooking. The whole food ingredients and sensory-rich preparation encourage slow, conscious consumption and appreciation.

Plant-Based Diet

This 100% plant-based curry contains no animal products whatsoever, featuring protein-rich chickpeas, iron-packed spinach, and coconut milk for creaminess. It's a complete plant-based meal that demonstrates how satisfying and flavorful vegan cooking can be.

Vegan Diet

This completely vegan recipe contains absolutely no animal products or by-products, relying on chickpeas for protein, coconut milk for richness, and fresh vegetables for nutrients. It's a wholesome example of how vegan cuisine can be both nutritious and deeply satisfying.

Vegetarian Diet

This vegetarian curry provides excellent plant-based protein from chickpeas and iron from spinach, with no meat, poultry, or seafood. It's a nutritionally complete vegetarian meal that's both filling and flavorful.

Weight Watchers

This recipe follows Weight Watchers principles with nutrient-dense whole foods including lean plant-based protein from chickpeas, abundant non-starchy vegetables, and minimal added fats. The high fiber content and satisfying flavors make it filling while supporting weight management goals.

Instructions

1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.

2 min
2
5 min

Add the diced onion to the hot oil and sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

3
1 min

Add the minced garlic and ginger to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

4
1 min

Add the turmeric, cumin, coriander, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the aromatics. Stir constantly for 30 seconds to toast the spices and release their oils.

5

Pour in the drained chickpeas, coconut milk, and vegetable broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients and coat the chickpeas with the spiced coconut sauce.

1 min
6
10 min

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded together, about 15-18 minutes.

7
3 min

Add the fresh spinach in batches, stirring after each addition until wilted. This should take about 2-3 minutes total.

8

Stir in the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, lemon juice, or spices to your preference.

1 min
9

Remove from heat and let the curry rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken further. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired and serve hot over rice, quinoa, or with whole grain bread.

3 min

Frequently Asked Questions