Chana Chaat Recipe is a light and refreshing Indian salad that's perfect for summers. This chana chaat recipe is very easy and can be easily adapted with different ingredients.
So, it's crazy hot and no one really wants to cook, amiright? But we can't exactly go hungry, can we? Worry not, I have the perfect solution to all your summer blues about standing in the kitchen and cooking!! Also try this Fruit Salad with Condensed Milk, if you're after a sweet dessert.
This chana chaat recipe is perfectly delicious (and healthy!!!), involves no cooking and is literally ready in 15 minutes. Also, you can add in ingredients or take them out, and just basically do whatever you feel like, because this recipe is foolproof and super delicious no matter how you make it!
So What Exactly is It?
Chana Chaat is an Indian/Pakistani Chickpea salad usually made with lemon juice, chopped vegetables such as tomatoes and onions, green chilis, and chaat masala (which is an Indian spice mix). Some people also add chunks of boiled potatoes and tamarind chutney (imli). In some households it's cooked a little bit, but in some households its served cold and not cooked.
I like to change up my chana chaat recipe depending on my mood and the ingredients I have on my hand. The recipe I'm sharing with you today is the easiest and simplest, yet the most delicious in my humble opinion. I even skip the chaat masala in this recipe because not everyone has it in their pantry.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Chickpeas (garbanzo beans) - usually people boil the chickpeas first, but I find it easier and equally delicious to use canned chickpeas. It's equally delicious and convenient to use the shortcut.
- Lemon juice - this is what adds a refreshing kick to the salad! Please use fresh lemon juice only, the bottled kind is SO not delicious! 🙁
- Finely chopped tomatoes & onions (I use red onions but you may use white onions as well) and finely chopped green chilli.
- A handful of chopped coriander - YUM!
- Chaat masala - I sometimes use this, sometimes I don't, depending on my mood. I have not included this in the recipe today because I know not everyone has this Indian spice mix in their pantry. However, if you want to use it, half a teaspoon goes a long way. Chaat masala is available at Indian stores and in the ethnic aisle in most big grocery stores.
How to Make It?
So for the chana chaat recipe, you only need a few simple ingredients and then it's just a matter of tossing them together.
- Drain the canned chickpeas and place in a mixing bowl.
- Add chopped tomatoes, chopped onion, freshly chopped coriander, lemon juice, and salt and chaat masala (if using).
- Mix well until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
Chana Chaat FAQs
Yes. I almost always use canned chickpeas for chana chaat because it's convenient, and they're perfectly delicious. Traditionally chickpeas are cooked from scratch first, and then used for chana chaat. Both methods are fine.
Chana chaat can be stored in airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
Chaat Masala is a tangy spice blend, and can be found in Indian grocery stores, or even mainstream grocery stores in the ethnic foods aisle. I use Shan Chaat Masala.
If you're bored from the typical lettuce and macaroni salads, do try this chana chaat recipe...I guarantee you that you'll love it! 🙂
Enjoy!!
Chana Chaat Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 400 grams chickpea cans (drain the liquid)
- 1 medium red onion (chopped finely)
- 1 medium tomato (chopped finely)
- 1 lemon (squeezed - about 1/4 cup)
- handful coriander (finely chopped)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add all ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight).
- When ready to serve, toss the chana chaat once more and top with more chopped coriander if desired.
I will try Chan's chat as well for deiet it looks tasty.
I make aloo chana chaat with all fresh ingredients using 4 tasty sauces. Boiled chana is tastier than canned chick peas and it’s more healthy.
I had a tin of red kidney beans too
You omitted the chili amount. Is it one or more, do you recommend?
hey. looks really yummy. i love chana chaat. i also made it and published it on https://jyotifoodrecipes.com/chana-chaat-chola-papri-chat/
I am making chana chat from ages but the way you glamourised it, is awesome. No doubt it is a healthy, refreshing dish with lots of varieties.
You also presented it so well. I am gonna make it for tomorrow's picnic
Thanks a lot Ruby! 🙂
Oh how lovely! I.make chana chat quit often it's such a great recipe and love by everyone whether you serve it in a Get-together , potluck , picnic .. you name it!
This looks delicious! I think I actually had something similar to this recently, but I didn't know what it was called. I'm all for making it at home though and I will definitely be trying this. It looks so lovely, fresh and full of flavour!
This salad looks so light and healthy! I don't think I've ever had this spice mix before, but I'll be looking for it because I'll bet it's delicious.
I've never tried chana chaat before but it looks absolutely delicious! Must try the recipe!
How refreshing. It is my favourite for a long time. This also great for a picnic. Imagine sitting in under a shade of a huge tree, cool breeze tempering the heat and lush green grass in the park and rolled hay on the hills in the distance. Remember Bath in Somerset ! You open your cool box and out comes chana chat and you put it on paper plates and take your little pocket knife and cut a lemon then squeeze in fresh lemon juice-aaah the fragrance and coolness of this dish is heavenly. I would suggest accompaniment-sparkling spring water -preferably from the hills of somerset .