This chickpea and lentil curry with sweet potato and spinach has a rich coconut milk sauce and hits the spot! It’s a super hearty and satisfying meal that’s delicious on its own or with rice and naan.

Hi friends!
This chickpea and lentil curry came to fruition because of a massive snowstorm we had earlier this winter.
We had over 100 centimeters (or over 3 feet) of snow from a Friday to Sunday. That combined with high winds, we lost our power for a little bit.
Luckily our stovetop is propane so I was able to cook and get a nice cuppa hot tea for us.
Not wanting to open the fridge (in order to keep things cold while the power was out), I used a bunch of pantry staples to make this easy curry recipe.
When hubby and I enjoyed, we devoured this curry. Not sure if it was because we burned, like, 1000 calories from snow shoveling or because it was legit tasty.
Of course, I’ve made since then and added a couple of fresh elements, like spinach and yogurt.
Verdict? Oh yeah, it’s yummy!!
Why We Love This Chickpea and Lentil Curry Recipe
- It’s made with mostly pantry ingredients.
- It comes together in one pan for minimal fuss and easy cleanup.
- It’s loaded with hearty pulses and veggies.
- It’s pretty budget-friendly.
- It tastes delicious!

How To Make This Curry Recipe
Full details on how to make this chickpea lentil curry are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- Start off by heating up some coconut oil in a pan, then add onion and cook.
- Add minced garlic and ginger and cook for just a minute to get those flavours going.
- Add chickpeas and some yummy seasonings, stir to combine everything and cook for a couple of minutes.
- Pour in the broth, coconut milk, lentils, sweet potato, cashews, raisins, and shredded coconut. Simmer and cover (with lid slightly ajar) to cook. Stir occasionally to make sure nothing is sticking.
- When time is up, carefully uncover. Stir in baby spinach.
- Greek yogurt gets mixed in next, along with cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.

Do I Have to Soak the Lentils?
Nope, not at all!
Use dried red lentils here (not canned).
Pick over and discard any rocks, foreign objects and imperfect lentils. Then, rinse and drain before use.

Can I Use Frozen Spinach Instead of Fresh?
Absolutely!
Because curry is saucy in nature, you can add some frozen spinach directly to the pan and cook until broken down and warmed through. The little bit of extra moisture will just add to the sauciness.
However, if you want to thaw and drain the spinach first, go for it!
Note: If you do use frozen spinach, your curry will have more flecks of green throughout (versus larger leaves). Not a big deal, just something to keep in mind.
Yummy Garnish Options
- Sliced chili pepper
- Cilantro
- Green onion
- Extra swirl of yogurt or sour cream

Tips and Variations
- This curry recipe comes together relatively quickly. Have everything prepped before starting.
- Full-fat coconut milk is recommended here (I just love the richness that it adds).
- Cut your sweet potato into equal size (kinda small) chunks so they cook evenly.
- Instead of ground cayenne pepper, use fresh chili pepper or crushed red pepper flakes (to taste).
- Don’t have lime on hand? Squeeze in some lemon juice instead.

What To Serve With Curry
This veggie curry is delicious served over rice, cauliflower rice or quinoa. Naan is also a great addition to your meal for dunking into that flavour-packed sauce.
More Easy Curry Recipes
- Vegetable Curry Soup with Coconut Milk and Zoodles
- Chickpea Cauliflower Curry
- Fish Curry With Coconut Milk
If you make this chickpea and lentil curry, be sure to leave a comment below!

Chickpea and Lentil Curry
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 red or yellow onion, peeled and diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 (19-ounce) can no salt added chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1.5 tablespoons curry powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- pinch ground cloves
- 2 cups low sodium vegetable broth, or more if you want a looser or thinner consistency
- 1 (13.5-ounce) can full-fat, unsweetened coconut milk, a 400 millilitre can
- 1 cup dried red lentils, picked over (remove and discard any rocks, foreign objects and imperfect lentils), rinsed and drained
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into small cubes (about 1.5 to 2 cups)
- ¾ cup unsalted roasted cashews
- ½ cup seedless raisins
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 handfuls baby spinach, about 2 loosely packed cups
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon cilantro paste, or 3 to 4 tablespoons of freshly chopped cilantro
- 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- Chopped cilantro, garnish to taste (optional)
- Sliced chili pepper, garnish to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Add coconut oil to a 12-inch heavy-bottomed sauté (or deep) pan over medium heat.Note: The pan should come with a lid for use later.
- Once oil is melted, add onion and cook for 3 minutes, stirring often.
- Add garlic and ginger and cook, giving it a little stir, for about 1 minute.
- Add chickpeas, curry powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, turmeric and cloves. Stir to coat chickpeas in all the spices. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add vegetable broth, coconut milk, red lentils, sweet potato, cashews, raisins and shredded coconut. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer (so it maintains a gentle bubbling), cover (with lid slightly ajar) and cook for 20 minutes, checking on and stirring occasionally to ensure nothing is sticking. Turn off heat.Note: Add more broth and heat through if you want a looser or thinner consistency.
- Add baby spinach and stir in to cook. It will wilt with residual heat.
- Stir in Greek yogurt, cilantro paste (or fresh cilantro) and lime juice. Garnish (if desired) with chopped cilantro and sliced chili pepper. Serve as is or over rice. Enjoy!
Notes
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
© Girl Heart Food Inc. Photographs and content are copyright protected.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Janice
Made this for dinner tonight, absolutely delicious! It will definitely be a regular in our house from now on.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Hi Janice – so happy to hear you enjoyed! Thanks very much!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
That’s quite the storm! Glad you had a pantry filled so you could still eat delicious food! This curry sounds delish!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Right?? It was crazy! Thanks Kathy 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven
This is so something we’d love, Dawn!! I’ll have to make sure there’s literally no spice or my kids won’t eat it, haha! I will be looking for dishes like this for the next few months while we’re all stuck at home. Did I mention my kids are now ALL WITH ME ALL OF THE TIME!? 😉 Hah!! Happy Monday! XO
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
So happy to hear that! Thanks Katherine! Hope you guys are doing well! XO
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
Yum, such a delicious and hearty one pot recipe for a meatless Monday. I really loved your idea to add both cilantro and green onion. What a fun way to add some fun refreshing flavors!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks Heidi!
Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl
Over 3 feet of snow?! Oh my word! I’m thankful you guys are safe. This pantry staple recipe couldn’t have come at a better time! I just stocked up on so many pantry items…so definitely looking forward to making this sometime soon! Looks so flavorful, spicy and delicious!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Yep! Crazy, huh?? We ended up having waaaaaay more than that this winter season. Oh well! Comfort food helps for sure 🙂 Thanks Haylie!
David @ Spiced
You know, I don’t use coconut milk enough. I’ve used it in several recipes in the past, and it’s always amazing…but it’s not on my regular radar. This curry is another proof positive that I need to keep coconut milk on hand all the time. This is the perfect recipe for a cold snowy type of day…or a chilly early Spring type of day, too. 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
It’s something we always have stocked because we love it! Thanks David 🙂
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
Oh my gosh, I can’t wait to try this! You’ve used pretty much all of my favorites here! We’re supposed to have rain again this week and I think I have all the ingredients on hand (except cilantro) so I’m totally trying this soon! Stay healthy, girlie!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Yay! So happy to hear that, Kelsie! You too! Hope you enjoy the recipe 🙂
[email protected]
Comfort is just jumping off the page here! This is everything I want and then some!! Pass me a big bowl, please!! Hope you’re having a sweet day, my friend! Stay healthy! XO
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Yay! Thanks so much Annie. You too! XOXO