Pan Roasted Tandoori Chickpeas/Chole Recipe

Pan Roasted Tandoori Chickpeas/Chole is a quick and easy Indian flavored spicy appetizer or starter you can make for any gathering, party, or game nights with the versatile chickpeas. Cooked chickpeas are marinated in a tandoori spiced yogurt marinade and roasted in a wide pan till golden brown and lightly charred to perfection.

Chickpeas have been used to make many interesting dishes like Punjabi Amritsari Chole, the ever popular middle eastern hummus or even as a nutritious protein bite in salads! I always have this high protein, low fat protein legume stocked up in my pantry, lest a sudden urge to have chole with bhaturas or an addition to salads hits me!!

After coming across various versions of roasted chickpeas baked in the oven, and some pan fried; albeit with a myriad of different spice combinations in each, today, I decided to try this interesting take on chole chanas or chickpeas which I first came across in CookwithKushi.

Who does not love anything that has the word “tandoori” in it! It conjures up lovely golden brown charred dishes in our minds like tandoori chicken, tandoori gobi, tandoori naan etc. Not many people have a tandoor in their kitchens (me included) and we tend to use the oven at such times.

I did not want to heat up my oven today and decided to pan fry these juicy marinated chickpeas in my deep saucepan. For the tandoori element, I recreated the flavors of a tandoori spice powder. By mixing spices already in my pantry like the ever loved coriander powder, cumin powder, chilli powder (cayenne powder), fresh ginger and garlic along with tangy chaat masala powder to bring an acidic twist to the taste, the tandoori aroma was achieved to my satisfaction.  Turmeric powder added to the lovely color of the dish.

Fresh yogurt married all these spices with its lightly sour flavor to bring out the restaurant style tandoori aroma!!! If you are in a hurry, you can mix all the spices and yogurt with the cooked chickpeas and pan fry them immediately.  For more flavor in every bite, I decided to marinate them for about an hour in the refrigerator.

As soon as they hit the hot oil in the pan, all the sizzling aromas wafted around in the house and they were ready to dig into in about 10 minutes!!! If you have canned chickpeas, diving into these tandoori bites is even quicker!!

Do try this Pan Roasted Tandoori Chole with a squeeze of lime today and add a new dimension to your meal with its royal tandoori flavors.  Finely chopped onions add a nice and fresh crunch. Serve them at your next party or even with lunch or dinner.

Lets get on to this amazing and flavorful recipe, shall we???!!!

How to make Pan Roasted Tandoori Chickpeas:

• Soak 1 cup chickpeas in lots of water for about 5 to 6 hours or even overnight. Next day, drain completely.

• Cook in a pressure pan (for about 10 minutes) or in a large saucepan till the chickpeas are cooked but not mushy. Drain well.

Meanwhile, prepare the marinade:

• In a mixing bowl, add yoghurt, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala powder, turmeric powder, chilli powder, chaat masala and grated ginger and garlic.

• Add salt to taste and mix well.

• Pour in the cooked and drained chickpeas into the marinade, add crushed kasoori methi (totally optional, but I love the flavor of this aromatic herb!) and keep aside for about 15 to 30 minutes, preferably in the refrigerator.

• Heat oil in a large wide thick-bottomed saucepan or kadai.
• Once the oil is hot, tip in the marinated chickpeas along with the marinade.

• Sauté on medium heat, stirring continuously till they are well roasted and slightly crisp; about 10 to 15 minutes depending upon the thickness of the pan and level of heat of the stove.

• Serve these delightful pan roasted tandoori flavored chickpeas or chole chana with a squeeze of lime or lemon, garnished with coriander leaves/cilantro at your next party or even with your evening chai or coffee!

• Enjoy!!!

PIN or SHARE for later:

 

Join the party at #SaucySaturdays  |  #Food Friday  |  #FiestaFriday  |  #FuntasticFriday

 Other similar recipes you can try are:

Amritsari Chole

Tandoori Gobi Tikka

Aloo Tikka Masala

If you like my posts and recipes, do not forget to Pin, Share, comment in the box below or like my Facebook page 

Don’t forget to follow me on:

Facebook @ curryandvanilla

Pinterest @ curryandvanilla

Instagram @ curryandvanilla16

Twitter @ curryandvanilla

Google Plus  @ Vanitha Bhat

Have fun cooking, eating and sharing!!!!