Instant Pot Pakistani Chana Dal

Here’s a simple, everyday Pakistani Chana Dal (split chickpea) recipe made quick and easy in the Instant Pot. This is a no-soak (unless you want to!), dump-and-go recipe with a simple tadka (tempering) of cumin seeds, onions, garlic, and chili pepper. Creamy and flavorful with only 15 minutes of hands-on time!

“I cannot rave about this recipe enough. I must have made it at least 20 times since it was posted last summer. My entire family loves it and, best of all, it takes no time to whip up! Thank you so much Izzah for this DELICIOUS recipe!!”

Madiha

A spotlight search on my Mac for the words ‘chana dal’ yields 7 different recipe results. It’s one of those dals I’ve tried many different versions of, whether for variety or just to get closer to “the best”.

This recipe for Instant Pot Pakistani Chana Dal is one I’ve fretted and fussed over quite a bit. I wanted a recipe that takes almost no effort to make except for a simple tadka and garnishing, yet still has depth in flavor. This is a forgiving recipe so feel free to adapt it to taste & ingredients!

What is Chana Dal?

Chana dal/daal, also called split chickpeas (garbanzo beans), yellow split peas, or split yellow gram, is a type of dal that’s very popular in Pakistani and Indian cuisine.

Though ‘chana‘ dal directly translates to ‘chickpea‘ dal, these chickpeas are a different variety than the ones we’re used to in America. Instead of a thin layer of skin, yellow split chickpeas have a dark outer skin, which is removed (husked) and then split in half. (For a recipe using the typical American chickpeas, check out my Authentic Chana Masala recipe!)

In Pakistani cuisine, there’s a dry, ‘dhaba (roadside) style’ chana dal which is eaten with roti or naan, and then there’s the everyday chana dal which can be prepared in a myriad of ways and is served with both roti or rice.

Do you have to soak Chana Dal?

Pre-soaking helps beans and lentils become easier to cook and digest, so it’s a good idea to soak it if you’re concerned about that. Otherwise, you don’t have to soak chana dal. I’m terrible at soaking, and have developed this recipe to require no soaking so you can grab it and start prepping.

How to make Chana Dal in the Instant Pot

Traditionally, chana dal is cooked in a pot or pressure cooker, and then finished off with a tadka (tempering). I tried making this a one-pot Instant Pot recipe but I found I preferred it with the tadka at the end. If you’re new to the Instant Pot or just want to learn how to use it for Indian & Pakistani cooking, please check out my guide on How To Use The Instant Pot For Indian And Pakistani Cooking. (For another Instant Pot dal recipe, check out my Instant Pot Whole Masoor Dal!)

To make this chana dal in the Instant Pot, you simply:

1. Dump the rinsed dal, water, tomato, and spices in the Instant Pot and Pressure Cook.
2. Once it’s cooked, prepare the tadka. While the onions are browning, turn the Instant Pot to Low Sauté mode.
3. Once the tadka is finished, add it to the chana dal.
4. Simmer them both together to enhance creaminess and texture.
5. Garnish and serve!

Adding Ginger to Dal

Ginger is often added to foods that are harder to digest to help aid in digestion. If you prefer not to garnish with julienned ginger, you can add crushed ginger along with garlic to the tadka, or omit it altogether.

Tips for making Pakistani Chana Dal in the Instant Pot

• Turn on your Instant Pot to Low Sauté while you’re preparing the tadka. That way, it can heat up and start reducing down before adding the tadka. If you add the tadka while the dal isn’t simmering, you’ll just have to cook it together longer (plus miss out on the sizzle).
• If your dal has been sitting around in the pantry for a long time, it may take longer to cook. If you soak it, it may take less time to cook depending on how long you soak it. I’d suggest cooking for at least 18 minutes regardless.
• Dals are often combined in Pakistani cuisine. Sometimes I add ¼ cup masoor dal to ½ cup chana dal.
• Depending on the type of chana dal you have, you may not need to pressure cook for the full 22 minutes in this recipe. If your dal needs less time, try decreasing the cooking time to 15 or even 10 minutes. If it’s a particularly tough dal, you may need to cover and pressure cook again for 3 minutes.

How to make this Pakistani Chana Dal on the stovetop

I haven’t prepared this particular recipe on the stovetop, but I’ve cooked chana dal over the stovetop many times. Here’s what I suggest:

1. Simply toss all the Instant Pot ingredients in a medium-size saucepan. Add 4 cups water and let it come to a boil over high heat. Discard any foam that rises to the surface.
2. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pan. Allow the dal to cook until tender (~1 hour if not soaked, 35 min if soaked prior), adding water if necessary. Then proceed with the tadka.

Chana Dal Serving Suggestions

Since this chana dal is creamy, and not too wet or dry, you can serve it with both rice or any type of bread such as roti or naan. Kachumber Salad or fresh, crunchy vegetables such as sliced onions, carrots, or cucumbers are ideal alongside dal to add crunch and texture. I also love serving this dal with achaar.

More Dal Recipes

Mash Ki Daal – Urad Dal (Instant Pot or Stovetop)
My Go-To Masoor Dal Recipe (Red Lentil Curry)
Instant Pot Red Lentil Dal

If you’re looking for more Pakistani Instant Pot recipes, be sure to check out my 15+ Easy Pakistani Instant Pot Recipes roundup!