Butternut Squash & Chickpea Panang Curry Recipe
This Butternut Squash & Chickpea Panang Curry is a creamy, flavorful, and nutritious vegan curry packed with tender squash, protein-rich chickpeas, and a rich, spicy panang curry sauce. Perfectly balanced with peanut butter and a hint of lime for brightness, it’s an easy one-pot meal ideal for cozy dinners or meal prep.
- Author: reem
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Thai
- Diet: Vegan
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 1 large butternut squash, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
Oils and Liquids
- 2 tbsp coconut oil or water
- 1 (14 oz.) can full fat or reduced fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup water or vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp water (for peanut butter mixture)
- 2 tbsp lime juice
Pantry Spices and Condiments
- 2 tbsp panang curry paste or red curry paste
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1–2 tbsp coconut sugar
- 3 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, heat the coconut oil or water over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and ginger, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Spices and Curry Paste: Sprinkle in turmeric and panang or red curry paste, stirring to coat the aromatics. Cook this mixture for about 2 minutes to develop the flavors and release the spices’ aroma.
- Cook Butternut Squash: Add the peeled and diced butternut squash to the pot, tossing it to coat well with the spices and curry paste. Let it brown slightly for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Coconut Milk and Chickpeas: Pour in the coconut milk along with the water or vegetable broth and the rinsed chickpeas. Stir to combine, then bring the curry to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes or until the squash is tender enough to pierce with a fork. Add more water or broth if you prefer a thinner sauce.
- Sweeten and Adjust Flavor: Taste the curry. If it lacks sweetness, stir in 1 tablespoon of coconut sugar or adjust according to your preference.
- Incorporate Peanut Butter: In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter and 2 tablespoons of water to create a smooth mixture. Add this to the curry, stirring well to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the curry simmer for another 2 to 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the curry from heat and stir in fresh cilantro leaves and lime juice for a bright, fresh finish. Serve hot alongside steamed rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice.
Notes
- You can substitute panang curry paste with red curry paste if you prefer a slightly different flavor profile.
- Use full-fat coconut milk for a richer curry, or reduced-fat for a lighter dish.
- Adjust the coconut sugar to taste depending on the natural sweetness of your squash.
- For a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or omit it entirely.
- The curry thickens as it cools; add a splash of water when reheating if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Butternut squash curry, chickpea curry, panang curry, vegan curry, Thai curry, coconut milk curry, easy vegan dinner