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Thai inspired Sweet Potato Lentil Curry with Crispy Sesame Chickpeas. The perfect bowl of warming comfort food that’s also really healthy. Quickly made on the stove (or in your instant pot) in less than an hour. Using good for us ingredients like sweet potatoes, red lentils, Thai curry paste, and creamy coconut milk. It’s cozy, a little spicy, and filled with vegetables. Finish each bowl off with steamed rice and crispy salty sesame chickpeas. You’ll have the perfect healthy bowl of soup for lunch or dinner.
I could not think of a better Monday recipe. This one is SO GOOD, super simple, and pretty darn healthy too. I have some serious comfort foods coming up these next few months. So I figured a nice healthy, but still fall appropriate, curry was very fitting for the last Monday of October…
How on earth is it already the final Monday of the month…I just have no idea? How is Halloween THIS Thursday?? I know that everyone is probably feeling the same way, but geez this month really flew by. And with all the cold temperatures and snow at home in Colorado, I’m already into holiday planning mode. Anyone else? I know it’s not as chilly other places in the US (high is 68 and sunny here in NYC today), but still hoping you all are craving warm, hearty food!
Which brings me to this curry. I was kind of inspired by last year’s lentil soup that swayed much more towards authentic Indian flavors. It’s been such a go-to recipe for me both last fall and this fall, that I wanted to create something similar. This time using Thai flavors, something a little creamier, and then switch up the toppings.
This is what I got and it’s truly so delicious. Spicy, tangy, a touch sweet, creamy, and layered with different textures.
To make this lentil curry…
You need very simple ingredients. The curry itself is made entirely in one pot. You can also use the instant pot for an even quicker dinner. Simply add the ingredients to a large pot, simmer, and 20 minutes later you have thick and creamy curry.
I like to use Thai red curry paste to flavor the curry. It’s one of my favorite ingredients because it adds just the right amount of heat and spice. I also use a splash of fish sauce, which I think is so key to adding authentic Thai flavor. Of course, if you are vegetarian, you can easily use additional soy sauce in place of the fish sauce.
And then, just a little coconut milk and touch of peanut butter. I know it may sound odd, but trust me, it works. Similar to my Thai Ramen, which everyone LOVES, it just adds creaminess and nuttiness.
The chickpeas.
While the curry is cooking, you should make the chickpeas, and trust me, you do NEED the chickpeas. They add a nice crunch to this curry. They’re salty, savory, and just a little hard to stop eating. Kind of like a healthier chip with toasty sesame seeds.
Delicious.
Finish the curry by ladling it over steamed rice. Then add the chickpeas and some pretty pomegranate arils for a pop of bright color…and a sweet burst of flavor with every bite.
If I wasn’t in NYC today, I would most definitely be making this for dinner tonight. Again, healthy but cozy and so easy. It also uses pantry staples, which is always such an added bonus!
Alright, and with that, I am heading off for some cookbook press events. Follow along on Instagram this week. AND for any of you watching GMA tomorrow morning, I should be on around 8:40 am EST. I’ll be making a couple of my favorite recipes from the book!
If you make this Sweet Potato Lentil Curry with Crispy Sesame Chickpeas, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Sweet Potato Lentil Curry with Crispy Sesame Chickpeas.
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 1500 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3-4 tablespoons Thai red curry paste adding more or less to taste
- 3-4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or water
- 3/4 cup dried red lentils (can also use green lentils)
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce (or additional soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 1 rounded tablespoon creamy peanut butter (or other nut butter)
- 1 (14 ounce) can full fat coconut milk
- 2 cups baby spinach
- juice from 1 lime
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped plus more for serving
- cooked basmati rice for serving
- pomegranate arils for serving (optional)
Chickpeas
- 2 tablespoons sesame or extra virgin olive oil
- 1 can chickpeas drained and patted dry
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon raw sesame seeds
Instructions
Stove-Top
- 1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the shallots and cook 3 minutes until soft. Add the ginger and sweet potatoes and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the curry paste and cook another minute. 2. Add the 3 cups broth, lentils, fish sauce, soy sauce, and peanut butter. Bring the mix to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer 15-20 minutes, until the lentils are soft and the sweet potatoes tender. 3. Meanwhile, make the chickpeas. Heat a large, high sided skillet over medium heat. Add the 2 tablespoons oil and the chickpeas. Cook, stirring occasionally until the chickpeas are crisped all over, about 5 minutes. Add the soy sauce and sesame seeds, tossing to combine. Cook 1 minute, remove from the heat. 4. When the lentils are cooked, stir in the coconut milk, spinach, and lime juice, cook 5 minutes. If your curry feels thick, add additional broth to thin. Remove from the heat and add the cilantro. 5. To serve, divide the rice among bowls and ladle the curry overtop. Top with chickpeas, cilantro, and pomegranates. Enjoy!
Instant Pot
- 1. Set Instant pot to sauté. Add the olive oil and shallots and cook 3 minutes until soft. Add the ginger and sweet potatoes and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the curry paste and cook another minute. 2. Add 3 cups broth, lentils, fish sauce, soy sauce, and peanut butter. Cover, select the manual setting and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.3. Meanwhile, make the chickpeas. Heat a large, high sided skillet over medium heat. Add the 2 tablespoons oil and the chickpeas and cook, stirring occasionally until the chickpeas are crisped all over, about 5 minutes. Add the soy sauce and sesame seeds, tossing to combine. Cook 1 minute, remove from the heat. 4. Once done cooking, use the quick release function and release the steam. Set the Instant pot to sauté. Stir in the coconut milk, spinach, and lime juice, cook 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the cilantro. 5. To serve, divide the rice among bowls and ladle the curry overtop. Top with chickpeas, cilantro, and pomegranates. Enjoy!
So yummy! Made this in the crockpot and will be making it as much as I can 🙂
Hey Chelsea,
Happy Friday!!⛄️❄️ I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xT
SO yummy and very straightforward to make! Boyfriend loved it, especially the crispy chickpeas on top (had trouble getting them extra crispy but still a nice additive). Used extra lime slices with serving for a bright citrus squeeze to round the flavors out at the end. The cilantro on top is an absolute must, though we skipped the pomegranate seeds. Leftovers are even better after allowing flavors to continue to meld overnight.
Hey Amy,
Thank you so much for giving this dish a try, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! Have a great Thursday:)
Absolutely love this recipe! I comes together quickly, and is a perfect blend of creaminess, chunkiness, with a hit of sweet and salty from the pomegranate and soy sauce coated crispy chickpeas. I did the chickpeas in my Actifry which worked great. Highly recommend!
Hey Laurel,
Happy Wednesday!!❄️ Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, I am so glad it was a hit! xx
Another delicious recipe. I use pumpkin instead of sweet potato as my husband is not a fan of sweet potato.
Perfect!! So glad this dish turned out well for you! Thanks for making it and sharing your feedback! xT
So delicious! The whole family loved it, even my 2-year old 😅 Will make this again for sure
Hey Marion,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your review! Love to hear that it was enjoyed! Happy Sunday!🎄
This was so yummy! My husband and I both thoroughly enjoyed it.
Hey Samantha,
Happy Wednesday! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xxT
This was so good. I went slightly lighter on the red curry and I was happy with the spice level. Otherwise I kept everything the same. I’ll definitely make this again.
Hi Rachel,
Happy Sunday!!⛄️ I truly appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xxT
I have a head cold and just made this for a quick and comforting meal and thought it was very good and came together fast. I couldn’t get the chickpeas to crisp up much and could have used a bit more flavor to the curry but maybe that’s because I didn’t have stock on hand and did it with water. I added an extra splash of soy sauce to bump up the flavor in lieu of veggie broth. it was a complete meal with steamed basmati and some homemade pita chips for dipping and plenty of leftovers for tomorrow
Hey Sarah,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for making it! Have the best weekend!❄️
This is one of my new favorite HBH recipes!! We love everything we make but this… so. good! A new weekly staple recipe!!
Hey Hannah,
I truly appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, love to hear that it was enjoyed!❄️ xx
This is my go to HBH recipe! I think it was the first one I ever made and I love the combination of flavours . The right combo of spicy , sweet and tangy.
Hi Jacqui,
Wonderful!🤩 I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! xT
Loved this! So easy, and pretty quick to make. The curry was a little thinner than I expected, but the rice and chickpeas soaked it up and balanced it out really well. The pomegranate arils were unexpected, but went so well in the dish! I think this is going to be a staple fall meal for me 💛
Hey Dylan,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed! xx
Please tell me the calories are for the whole pot:-) It’s always been one of my favorite things but I’ve always taken the six divided into the 1500 and was really amazed how good it was for that low calories and I just realize I’m probably making a mistake?
Hey Robin,
If I had to guess, it’s probably for the whole pot! I always recommend that if the nutritional information is important to you, you use your own personal calculator. Ours is automatic and controlled by google. It’s not something we’d prefer to be using. We are required to. I’m sorry for the trouble, we do our best! xT
Can I do this in a crock pot??
Hi Lila,
Sure, I don’t see why not! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope it turns out amazing for you! xT
Loved this! Really good flavor and a perfect fall meal. You need to add all the red curry paste. After it cooked, I added more soy and fish sauce to taste. The fresh lime juice is a must. It also makes a lot for leftovers.
Hey Lisa,
Happy Friday!👻 Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try and sharing your review! I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xT
This is a super flavorful, hearty fall recipe. It’s definitely a thinner, soup-like consistency vs. the typical “curry” that you’d have in a restaurant (we didn’t mind!). The potatoes and lentils cooked perfectly (I used the stovetop method) and were so tender and delicious. Based on other reviews, I decided to roast my chickpeas in the oven (I did 30 min at 425, tossed halfway through) and loved the added crunch and protein in the dish. Unsurprisingly, my family LOVED the meal- plus we have leftovers, which is always a bonus!
Hey Bridget,
Happy Wednesday!👻 I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try and sharing your feedback! xx