Chana Chaat Recipe (Indian Chickpea salad)

This Chana Chaat recipe is a delicious and tangy Indian street food made with boiled chickpeas and a mix of fresh vegetables, spices, and chutneys. It’s a perfect combination of flavors – spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet.

This protein-rich snack is not only easy to make but also incredibly nutritious. Chana Chaat can be a healthy snack, an appetizer, or a light meal depending on when you want to have it.

If you make the spice-levels mild, you’ll see how young kids will wipe their bowls clean! My son hates chana in general. Chana chaat is the only way he’ll eat chana. Ironically, it’s one of his favorite chaats!

I make it using my chana chaat recipe to every potluck at work and it’s a huge hit. I call it the Indian street-style Chickpea salad. My American co-workers love it and found the tangy-sweet chaat ticking their tastebuds.

Why You’ll Love This Chana Chaat Recipe

• Quick & Easy to Prepare: Requires minimal cooking and can be made in under 15 minutes.
• Healthy & Nutritious: Packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
• Burst of Flavors: A perfect mix of spicy, tangy, sweet, and savory flavors.
• Customizable: You can add or omit ingredients based on your preference.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Great as a snack, appetizer, or light meal.
• It is Vegan: It’s a protein-packed meal for Vegans, giving a healthy dose of plant protein.

Ingredients for this Chana Chaat Recipe

1. Boiled Chickpeas (Chana): The base ingredient of this dish, chickpeas are rich in protein and fiber, making this chaat a healthy choice. You can use dry chickpeas or canned chickpeas.
2. Onion: Adds crunch and a mild sharpness to balance the flavors.
3. Tomato: Provides juiciness and a slight tangy taste.
4. Boiled Potato: Gives a soft texture and makes the dish more filling. Come on, who doesn’t like potatoes in chaat?
5. Chaat Masala: A blend of spices that adds a signature tangy and slightly spicy flavor. It’s a must-have ingredient for all Indian chaats.
6. Cumin Powder: Enhances the earthy, smoky taste of the dish.
7. Red Chili Powder: Adds a bit of heat to spice things up. You can use the normal or Kashmiri red chili powder. Adjust based on your spice tolerance.
8. Tamarind Date Chutney: Brings sweetness and tanginess, elevating the overall taste. This is hands down my favorite chutney on my chaat.
9. Green Chutney: A spicy, herby chutney made with coriander, mint, lemon and green chilies for freshness.
10. Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the taste.

Tips to Make the Best Chana Chaat

• Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables and chutneys enhance the overall taste.
• Boil Chickpeas Properly: Ensure the chickpeas are well-cooked but not mushy.
• Adjust Spices to Taste: Add or reduce spices depending on your spice tolerance.
• Prepare Just Before Serving: To maintain the crunchiness of onions and freshness of tomatoes.
• Prep the Ingredients in advance: To save time, you can chop the veggies, prepare the chutney, boil the chickpeas and refrigerate them for upto a day in advance. When you’re ready just mix them and serve the chaat.
• Add Crunch: You can top it with sev (crispy chickpea noodles) or pomegranate seeds for extra texture. I like to top mine with Sev, onion and coriander leaves.

Try out other Indian snack/appetizer recipes from my blog

Spicy Pori (Puffed rice)

Idli Upma

Indian-style Guacamole

Bombay Grilled Sandwich

Step-by-Step Instructions for this Chana Chaat Recipe

Prepare the Ingredients:

• Boil the chickpeas and potatoes until soft. Let them cool completely. It’s a cold salad. Basically, you want all the ingredients to be at room temperature.
• I like to soak my chickpeas overnight and pressure cook for 5-6 whistles with some salt. Add a pinch of baking soda for extra softness.
• I cook my potatoes in the microwave for about 2-3 minutes each side. This way, they don’t get overcooked. You can also pressure cook it for 2 whistles or until soft. The number of whistles depend on the variety of potato you use.
• Finely chop onions and tomatoes.
• Prepare the tamarind date chutney and green chutney if making at home. I’ll upload the recipes of these chutneys very soon.

Mix the Base:

• In a mixing bowl, add boiled chickpeas and chopped boiled potatoes.
• Add chopped onions and tomatoes.
• Optionally, add chopped green chilies. I usually omit them when I make it for my son. It imparts a wonderful flavor to your chaat.
• If you’re making it in advance, you can add everything except the onions and tomatoes. You can chop them and keep them in an airtight box in the fridge.

Seasoning:

• Next, sprinkle chaat masala, cumin powder, red chili powder, and salt. Adjust red chili powder depending on your spice tolerance. Keep in mind that the green and tamarind chutneys usually have some heat in them. Start with a 1/4 teaspoon and add more if you need more heat.
• Then, drizzle tamarind date chutney and green chutney. In this chaat add more of date chutney, as it lends an amazing sweet-tangy flavor. Adjust as per your taste preference.

Toss and Mix:

• Gently mix everything until well combined.
• Taste and adjust spices or chutneys if needed.

Serve Fresh:

• Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
• Optionally, add sev or pomegranate seeds for an extra crunch.
•  Finally, I like to top it with Sev, onion and coriander leaves.
• Serve immediately and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions for this Chana Chaat Recipe (FAQs)

1. Can I use canned chickpeas instead of boiled chickpeas?
Yes, you can use canned chickpeas. Just rinse them well and drain before using.

2. Can I make Chana Chaat in advance?
To save time, you can chop the veggies, prepare the chutney, boil the chickpeas and refrigerate them for upto a day in advance. When you’re ready just mix them and serve the chaat. It’ll take less than 5 minutes!

3. How can I make it spicier?
Increase the amount of red chili powder or add finely chopped green chilies.

4. Is Chana Chaat gluten-free?
Yes, this dish is naturally gluten-free.

5. Can I store leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a day, but the freshness may decrease, especially if you’ve topped it with sev already.

Chana Chaat is a perfect mix of health and taste, making it a favorite for many. Try this recipe today and enjoy a delicious, wholesome snack! Comment below if you tried this recipe and liked it.