Instant Pot® Chana Masala

Savory vegan chickpea stew with Indian flavors. Cooking the rice inside in a "pot-in-pot" method gives you a complete meal without dirtying up the kitchen.

Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr 5 mins
Additional Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 5 mins
Servings:
5
Yield:
5 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 5 servings

  • 1 cup brown basmati rice

Spice Mix:

  • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds

  • 1 teaspoon amchur (dried mango powder)

  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander

  • 1 teaspoon garam masala

  • 1 teaspoon paprika

  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1 cup dried chickpeas

  • 2 cups water

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 1 carrot, diced

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger root, minced

  • 1 green Thai chile, minced (Optional)

  • 3 Roma tomatoes, diced

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 1 ¼ cups water

  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped

Directions

  1. Rinse rice in plenty of cold water. Put into a small, oven-safe dish that will fit inside a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®). Cover with water and set aside.

  2. Combine cumin seeds, amchur, coriander, garam masala, paprika, turmeric, pepper, and ground cayenne in a small bowl for the spice mix. Set aside.

  3. Pour chickpeas into the cooker and cover with 2 cups cold water. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 10 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.

  4. Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions for 10 minutes. Manually release any remaining pressure, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Remove the chickpeas, reserving cooking liquid.

  5. Place oil in the pot and select Saute function. Add onion, carrot, and bay leaf; cook and stir until onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in spice mix, garlic, ginger, Thai chile, and 1/4 cup of the reserved chickpea liquid; saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Cancel Saute function.

  6. Mix in chickpeas and remaining liquid, tomatoes, and tomato paste. Place a trivet inside.

  7. Drain rice and return to the dish. Cover with 1 1/4 cups fresh water. Place the dish on top of the trivet. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 25 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.

  8. Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions for 10 minutes. Release any remaining pressure carefully using the quick-release method, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.

  9. Carefully lift out the rice; fluff with a fork. Remove the trivet and bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to blend just a small amount of chickpeas to create a creamy texture, 2 to 3 pulses on high speed.

  10. Evenly distribute rice and chana masala among 5 plates. Top with chopped cilantro.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

228 Calories
5g Fat
42g Carbs
7g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 5
Calories 228
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5g 7%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Sodium 29mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 42g 15%
Dietary Fiber 6g 22%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 7g 13%
Vitamin C 10mg 11%
Calcium 54mg 4%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 338mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.