Slow Cooker Chickpea Tikka Masala with Cauliflower

Crockpot Chickpea Tikka Masala takes just like your favorite Indian takeout but is made at home in the slow cooker for a healthy, satisfying meal. After sharing this Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala last week, there were lots of requests for a vegetarian option, and this one will hit the spot.

Tikka Masala is probably one of the most well-known Indian dishes out there and for good reason: It is seriously delicious. The only problem is that usually it is made with heavy cream and therefore packed with loads of calories and unhealthy fat.

Luckily it's easy to lighten up this dish by making one simple switch and using coconut milk instead of the heavy cream. Not only does this make the dish healthier since the fats in the coconut milk are much better for you, it also lowers the calorie count. And, most importantly, I think it makes the dish even better. The subtle flavor of the coconut is delicious and a great addition to this classic dish.

What are chickpeas made of?

Chickpeas are made of...chickpeas. That is to say, they are a legume and not machine-made or something that's rolled up in your kitchen. They belong to the plant family called Fabaceae and is grown specifically for its seeds, which are the chickpeas themselves.

What's the difference between chickpeas and garbanzo beans?

The difference between a chickpea and a garbanzo bean is absolutely nothing. Same legume, two different names. You can use both names interchangeably though I feel like growing up more people called them garbanzo beans and now they are mostly referred to as chickpeas but that could be just my experience.

What is the difference between tikka masala and chana masala?

"Masala" is simply a word for spice in the Hindi language and in this recipe refers to the use of the masala spice, particularly garam masala. "Chana" refers to the chickpeas.

"Tikka" is a Hindi word for "piece" as in pieces of meat like you'd also find in this recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala. Although tikka is also made with spices, it has bigger chunks of meat (or veggies/sweet potatoes, etc.) in it.

For this recipe, I used both the tikka (cauliflower) and the chana (chickpeas) with the masala spices to create one delicious dish.

Recipe Tips and Ideas

Like with most of my recipes, you should feel free to customize this Slow Cooker Chickpea Tikka Masala with Cauliflower with any ingredients you have on hand or in your fridge that you think would suit your tastes.

• Vegetables. You can add to the cauliflower or swap it out entirely for other vegetables and starches. Some different vegetables you might want to try include kale, spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots, diced tomatoes, or bell peppers.
• Protein. If you want to add in some more or a different protein, consider adding in chicken (you can add rotisserie chicken pieces during the last hour of cooking if you like) or ground chicken, turkey, or tofu.
• Seasonings. Although I recommend still using the garam masala, you can also add to this dish more or less of the spice if you prefer. Another option is to add in extra cumin, garlic, ginger, or paprika if you like it a little smoky/spicy or add in red pepper flakes or sliced jalapenos or another pepper if you like it really hot. Fresh herbs such as cilantro, green onions, or parsley can also make your dish stand out and taste fresh.
• Swap the chickpeas. If you don't have chickpeas you can use another white bean such as navy, pinto, or great northern. Keep in mind these legumes tend to break down more quickly than chickpeas so you'll have more of a stewy soup (or a "stoup" as I remember Rachel Ray calling those types of dishes).

Serving Ideas

I like to serve this dish over white or brown rice. But you could also serve it over cauliflower rice for extra veggies and to keep the dish low-carb.

You could also serve this dish with a side of naan or another flatbread (like pita or Flatout low-carb wraps) that can be used for scooping up the delicious bites of chickpea and cauliflower smothered in masala sauce.

This dish would also work well served over wide egg noodles, a high-fiber pasta, or even a pasta made from veggies like those I've seen made from chickpeas or lentils.

Serve this dish in a bowl all by itself! You don't have to have it "over" anything as it's delicious, nutritious, and filling as a dish without any accompaniment.

Looking for more healthy Indian recipes?

• Slow Cooker Madras Lentils
• Slow Cooker Chana Masala
• Cauliflower Potato Curry
• Slow Cooker Saag Paneer

This recipe was originally shared over six years ago and has been updated with new photos and tips.