The research progress in nutritional composition, pharmacological action and functional food applications of chickpea was summarized. The function of chickpea in decreasing blood sugar and blood lipid，anti-tumor, antioxidant was introduced from traditional Chinese medicine and modern pharmacological point of view. The application of chickpea as a nutrition enhancer in a series of soybean beverage, bean yogurt and health food was also introduced. Its unique edible value and the nutritional function will be developed and utilized,and its prospect of application will be further extended.