Tuck into a bowl of Creamy Coconut Sun-dried Tomato Chickpeas – a rich and comforting dish that’s bursting with bold, savoury flavours. Tender chickpeas simmer away in a silky coconut milk sauce, laced with sweet tomato purée, garlic, and paprika. It’s one of those easy, one-pan wonders that comes together in no time.
The coconut milk pairs beautifully with the richness of sun-dried tomatoes, while garlic, onion and paprika bring warmth and depth to every bite. This delicious vegetarian and dairy-free recipe transforms a few store-cupboard staples into something you’ll want to make on repeat
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Calories in Creamy Coconut Sun-dried Tomato Chickpeas
This recipe serves 4 and is 272 calories per serving
If you're looking for more recipes within the same calorie range, you'll find an abundance of options in my dedicated collection of 200+ calorie recipes.
If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie intake using a reliable calorie calculator. Please note that the calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. Personalizing your calculations is essential to meet your individual needs. By using a calorie calculator, you can make informed choices and stay on track with your dietary goals.
See the recipe card for full nutritional estimation.
Ingredients Notes
To make this recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- Olive Oil (or oil from sun-dried tomatoes): Adds a light, fruity base for sautéing, or use the sun-dried tomato oil for extra flavour.
- Garlic & Onion: Build a savoury, aromatic foundation for the dish, infusing it with rich, comforting flavours.
- Sun-dried Tomatoes: Provide a tangy, umami punch and a chewy texture, enhancing the dish with their concentrated tomato flavour.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning, bringing out the natural flavours and ensuring the dish is well-balanced.
- Paprika: Adds smoky warmth, complementing the coconut milk and sun-dried tomatoes without overpowering the dish.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that adds fragrant, herbaceous notes, enhancing the Mediterranean flavours.
- Vegetable Stock: Brings depth and richness to the sauce, balancing the sweetness of the coconut milk and acidity of the tomatoes.
- Coconut Milk (Full Fat): The key to the dish’s creaminess, adding a rich, velvety texture and sweetness. Full-fat is essential for that indulgent, smooth base.
- Tomato Paste/Purée: Provides a thick, rich tomato flavour, balancing the sweetness of the coconut milk.
- Canned Chickpeas: A quick, convenient protein source with a soft texture that absorbs the sauce’s flavours beautifully.
- Fresh Parsley or Basil: Adds a fresh, vibrant touch to garnish, brightening up the richness of the dish.
Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.
See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions
Variations and Substitutes
Looking to customise your dish? Here are a few simple variations and substitutes to suit your taste
- Chickpeas: You can swap canned chickpeas for dried chickpeas. Just make sure to cook them until tender before using, though canned chickpeas save time and offer the perfect texture for this dish.
- Sun-dried Tomatoes: If you don't have jarred sun-dried tomatoes, you can use dried sun-dried tomatoes. Simply rehydrate them in warm water for about 20 minutes before using. Alternatively, roasted red peppers can add a similar sweetness and depth.
- Vegetable Stock: If you prefer, chicken stock can be used in place of vegetable stock for a non-vegetarian version. You can also use water, but the flavour will be less rich.
- Paprika: Smoked paprika brings warmth and depth, but sweet paprika can be used if you prefer a milder flavour. You could also try a dash of cayenne pepper or chilli flakes for a subtle heat.
- Italian Seasoning: If you don’t have Italian seasoning, a combination of dried basil, oregano, and thyme will work perfectly.
- Protein: For a non-vegetarian version, you can add cooked chicken. Simply stir in diced, cooked chicken breast or thighs for an extra protein boost.
- Adding Vegetables: You can easily add vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini. Stir in spinach at the end of cooking for a burst of colour and nutrition, or sauté bell peppers and zucchini with the onion and garlic for added flavour and texture.
Sides to Pair with Creamy Coconut Sun-dried Tomato Chickpeas
For a well-rounded meal, these sides complement the rich and creamy flavours of the Coconut Sun-dried Tomato Chickpeas:
- Cooked Rice: perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce, balancing the richness of the dish.
- Cooked Pasta: Tender pasta, such as penne or spaghetti, makes a satisfying base for the creamy chickpea sauce.
- Warm Flatbread: Ideal for scooping up the creamy chickpeas, flatbread adds a soft, comforting texture. Try my Greek Yoghurt Naan for a great low calorie option.
- Garlic and Herb Potatoes: These roasted potatoes add a savoury touch that pairs perfectly with the dish.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted carrots, sweet potatoes, or bell peppers bring out natural sweetness and add an earthy element to the meal.
- Lighter Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes offer a smooth, buttery side that enhances the dish’s richness.
More Chickpea Recipes
Looking for some other low calorie chickpea recipes? Check out these recipes on Slimming Eats:
or if you would like more recipe ideas - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more.
All recipes on Slimming Eats have estimated nutritional information for your convenience.
FAQ for Creamy Coconut Sun-dried Tomato Chickpeas
While you can use light coconut milk, it's not recommended. Light coconut milk won't provide the same thickness and creaminess to the sauce, which is key to achieving the rich, velvety texture of this dish. Full-fat coconut milk is essential for the indulgent, creamy consistency.
Yes, you can! If you prefer dried sun-dried tomatoes, simply rehydrate them in warm water for about 20 minutes before using them in the recipe. They'll provide a similar flavour and texture as jarred sun-dried tomatoes
Yes, this dish stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavours will continue to develop, and it reheats beautifully. Simply store it in an airtight container and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Yes, this dish can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
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Recipe Card
Creamy Coconut Sun-dried Tomato Chickpeas
This Creamy Coconut Sun-dried Tomato Chickpeas recipe is a rich, savoury dish that's packed with flavour and perfect for a quick, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil (or oil from sun-dried tomatoes)
- ½ small onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 80g of drained sun-dried tomatoes in oil, diced
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- 400g can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 2 tbs of tomato paste puree
- 1 cup of vegetable stock
- 1 cup of full fat coconut milk (canned)
- salt and black pepper
- fresh chopped parsley or basil (to garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until softened.
- Stir in the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning, and continue sautéing until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Add the chickpeas, paprika, tomato purée, vegetable stock, and coconut milk. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the sauce has reduced, thickened, and become creamy.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and black pepper, if needed.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
- Serve with your favourite sides and enjoy!
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
- Vegetarian/Dairy Free/Vegan Friendly
- Gluten Free Friendly - use gluten free stock
- ❄️ Freezer Friendly - see FAQ for details
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Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1 SERVINGAmount Per Serving Calories 272Total Fat 19gSaturated Fat 12gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 510mgCarbohydrates 22gFiber 6gSugar 3gProtein 7g
Nutritional information and values etc are an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate by the ingredients you use.
Vivienne Pennington says
Your recipes never fail. I’ve just had a quick taste and it’s absolutely delicious delicious.
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
Thank you Vivienne for such a lovely comment 🙂