Green Chana Masala / Hare Chane Ki Sabji

This delicious Green Chana Masala consists of fresh green chickpeas (Choliya) in tomato and yogurt gravy with Indian spices and herbs. It is without onion and garlic but flavorful and satisfying!

It does not take longer to make Hare Chane Ki Sabji, and it is best served with Roti or Paratha or as a side dish! Green chickpeas are high in protein, fiber, folate, and minerals, thus making this Sabji healthy and nutritious!

Jump to:

• What are Green Chickpeas?
• Healthy and Delicious Green Chickpea Masala
• Why You Will Love Green Chana Masala
• Ingredients
• How To Make Green Chana Masala Step-by-Step
• Serving Suggestion
• Helpful Tips
• More Chickpea Recipes
• Recipe Card

What are Green Chickpeas?

Green chickpeas are young, fresh garbanzo beans known as Choliya and Hare Chane in India. Young chickpea is also known as a winter superfood and a powerhouse of nutrients. In India, they are mainly available from local grocers during winter. While in Canada, this superfood can be found fresh or freshly frozen.

Healthy and Delicious Green Chickpea Masala

Green chickpeas are my absolute favorite! When I was in India, it was our family ritual to peel Choliya after dinner so my mom could make the green chickpea sabji the next day for lunch!

Many recipes can be done with fresh Hara Chana, and they can also be eaten row. The other famous way is to roast them (with peel) on low heat and then peel and enjoy them.

Green chickpeas are great for making fresh salads, chaat, smoothies, and hummus. We can also make curry with green chickpeas just as we make Chole.

I have made the Sabji using tomato and yogurt gravy with spices in this recipe. It tastes fresh, spicy, tangy, and flavorful.

It is a semi-dry curry and can be enjoyed on its own or with Roti or served as a side dish. But if you want it with more gravy, add more tomatoes, yogurt, and water for the desired consistency.

Why You Will Love Green Chana Masala

• Green Chana Masala is protein-packed, nutritious, and delicious.
• The recipe is simple and quick to make but very comforting and satisfying.
• This sabji is easy to make with pantry staple ingredients.
• Hare Chane Ki Sabji is best served with Roti or Paratha.
• This Chana Masala can also be served as a side dish or enjoyed on its own.
• It is vegetarian and without onion and garlic.
• Fresh green chickpea is a winter superfood and provides many health benefits.

Ingredients

1. Green Chickpeas: They are readily available in Indian grocery stores during winter, or you can find them frozen throughout the year. However, do not buy dried green chickpeas. This recipe is to use fresh or freshly frozen green chickpeas.
2. Sugar: I have added 1 teaspoon sugar to the water while boiling the hara chana. Sugar helps to retain the green color of chickpeas.
3. Oil: If you like, use butter instead of oil or add half and half.
4. Spices: We need basic spices, such as cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander, and cumin powder. I used Kashmiri red chili powder, which is not too spicy as green chilis used in the recipe are spicy.
5. Hing: It provides excellent flavor and aids in digestion. However, you can skip this powder if you want.
6. Ginger and Green Chili: Ginger provides a peppery and sharp earthy flavor to this Sabji; try not to skip it. Add less green chili or more to make the curry as spicy as per your taste.
7. Tomatoes: Use ripe tomatoes and chop them finely. Or, instead of finely chopped tomatoes, you can use tomato puree.
8. Yogurt: It makes the dish creamy, rich, and flavorful. Use plain yogurt, preferably homemade, for the best taste. Whisk the yogurt and smooth it before adding it to the tomato mixture.
9. Garam Masala: Add it according to your taste, or add chana masala instead of garam masala.
10. Herbs: Kasoori Methi and fresh coriander leaves are added to provide fresh and earthy flavors to this Green Chana Masala.
11. Water: Adjust the amount of water according to the desired consistency of this curry.

How To Make Green Chana Masala Step-by-Step

Cooking The Green Chickpeas

• Add water to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Add green chickpeas, salt, and sugar, and stir well.

• Boil the chickpeas until they are thoroughly cooked.
• It will take about 10-12 minutes.

• Once they are cooked, drain the water and set the boiled chickpeas aside.

Making The Green Chana Masala

• Heat oil in a pan on medium heat and add cumin seeds.
• Allow them to sizzle, and add green chilis, ginger, and asafoetida.
• Mix well and saute for a few seconds.

• Add finely chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin, and coriander powder.

• Stir well and cook the tomato mixture for 4-5 minutes or until soft and mushy.

• Turn the heat on low, add whisked yogurt, and mix until everything is well combined.

• Continue cooking the tomato and yogurt mixture on medium-low heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

• Now add boiled chickpeas and mix well.

• Add water and salt, stir well, and cover the pan with a lid.
• Cook on low-medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until you get the right gravy consistency. 
• Stir occasionally and add more water if required to achieve desired consistency.

• Remove the lid, taste, and adjust the salt and spices as required.
• Then add garam masala, Kasoori Methi, and chopped coriander leaves, stir well, and cook for a minute.

• Turn off the heat and transfer the Hare Chane Ki Sabji to a serving bowl.

Serving Suggestion

• Serve Green Chana Masala with Roti or Paratha. It can also be served with Dal and Rice.
• You can enjoy the green chana masala as it is without any accompaniments.
• Or, serve it as a side dish for your complete Thali meal.

Helpful Tips

• Green Chickpeas: This recipe is for fresh green chickpeas, removed from the pods, and not for dried green chickpeas. And that is why it is easy to cook them by boiling them in water for a few minutes. So, if you want dried green chickpeas, you must soak them and cook them in a pressure cooker. You can use fresh or frozen Hare Chane for this recipe.
• Spices: Adjust the seasonings according to your taste preferences. You can use only green chilis and skip red chili powder.
• Yogurt: Yogurt adds a pleasant taste and flavor to this Sabji. But if you do not want to use yogurt or want to make it a vegan recipe, add more tomatoes and skip the yogurt.
• Consistency: I have made the Sabji with semi-dry consistency. But if you prefer it with more liquid, add ¾ cup of yogurt and add more water as required for the desired consistency.

More Chickpea Recipes

You May Like More Curry and Sabji Recipes

• Gajar Matar Sabji / Carrot and Peas Curry (No Onion No Garlic)
• Sweet Corn Curry (No Onion No Garlic)
• Methi Malai Paneer (No Onion No Garlic)
• Aloo Palak (No Onion No Garlic) / Aloo Palak Sabji
• Rajma Masala (No Onion No Garlic) / Kidney Bean Curry

Recipe Card