Coconut Curry Chickpeas – Soulful, Creamy & Healing

Listen, sometimes you just need a bowl of comfort that feels like a hug from the inside out. That’s exactly what this coconut curry chickpea recipe gives—creamy, flavorful, and good for your body without all the processed extras.

As a Black woman on this healing journey, I’ve learned food is more than just fuel—it’s medicine, it’s ritual, it’s connection. Growing up, we didn’t call it “gut health” or “anti-inflammatory,” we just knew certain meals made us feel heavy and sluggish while others gave us that glow. This dish? It’s definitely in the glow category. ✨

Chickpeas bring the protein and keep you full, coconut milk makes it rich and creamy, and those spices? They remind me of how our people always turned simple ingredients into something unforgettable.

🛒 Ingredients

• 2 cans chickpeas (rinsed + drained) or about 3 cups if you cooked them fresh
• 1 can full-fat unsweetened coconut milk (13.5 oz) – none of that watered-down stuff
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (I love the Italian herb flavored!)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-inch knob fresh ginger (grated) or 1 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tbsp curry powder (or mix turmeric, cumin, coriander, paprika)
  
• ½ tsp cayenne or chili flakes (adjust if you like it spicy)
• 2 tbsp olive oil 
• ½ cup low sodium vegetable broth (or water, if you want it lighter)
• ½ tsp sea salt (more to taste)
• Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
• Squeeze of lime or lemon juice to finish it off

🍳 Directions

1. Start with love – Heat that olive oil in a big skillet or pot over medium. Toss in your onion and let it cook until it softens and gets sweet (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and ginger—your kitchen should be smelling like heaven by now.
2. Wake up the spices – Stir in curry powder and cayenne. Toast them for 30 seconds. This is the magic step; don’t skip it.
3. Make it creamy – Pour in your sun-dried tomatoes, coconut milk, and broth. Stir, scrape the bottom, let it all come together.
4. Bring in the chickpeas – Add those chickpeas and some salt. Let everything simmer on low for 15–20 minutes until it thickens and feels like a cozy stew.
5. Finish with brightness – Taste, adjust your salt, then squeeze in lime or lemon. Garnish with cilantro or parsley if you’re feeling fancy.

🌿 Extra Tips

• Throw in a handful of spinach, kale, or zucchini at the end if you want to sneak in some greens.
• Want it extra creamy? Mash a few chickpeas in the pot.
• This meal is perfect for meal prep—it tastes even better the next day.
• Serve it over rice, quinoa, or even roasted sweet potatoes. Sis, you can’t go wrong.

💫 Why This Recipe Feels Healing

This meal is nourishment for your body and spirit. Chickpeas help balance blood sugar, coconut milk soothes the gut, and the spices fight inflammation. It’s a reminder that we can heal ourselves in the kitchen, one soulful bowl at a time.