Chana Chaat, a Chickpea & Cucumber Salad where contrast is key. This Chana Chaat inspired recipe is turned into a robust and fresh salad with English cucumbers, chickpeas and fresh herbs kissed with a curry, brown sugar and lime juice vinaigrette. Make this for dinner tonight!
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Chana Chaat is a chickpea salad that is popular among street cart vendors all over India. It is either a quick snack, spicy side dish or vegetarian meal. I think the original version is much hotter than this one. A lot of chaat recipes include sliced fresh hot peppers. The heat from this one comes from curry powder.
The one I am making today is inspired by my recent issue of Milk Street magazine. I liked how they turned a mysterious dish into something with mostly easy to find ingredients in a conventional supermarket.
There is always a tinge of guilt whenever I share a recipe that has you trekking all over the city looking for that ‘one’ ingredient. Although with the internet you can easily get most of these ingredients delivered to your door.
I took the original recipe and increased the cucumber ratio because I’m really looking to include more veggies in my diet, and substituted the tamarind chutney, a specialized ingredient, and increased the brown sugar and lime juice ratio. I’ve got your back.
If you love cucumbers as much as I do, try these light Cucumber Sandwiches for your workday lunch. Enough to satisfy without making you fall asleep at your desk.
If you decide to make your own tamarind chutney, you can learn how to make tamarind paste here.
There are Chana Chaat suggestions below if you want to add more authentic ingredients. For now, it’s the spicy, robust chickpea cucumber salad that would be great on it’s own or with Texas BBQ.
For a creamy version, add 1/2 cup of plain greek style yogurt.
Another variation is to add a can of tuna to this and make a spicy tuna salad. Serve it over greens and everyone wins.
More salad recipes you might enjoy:
- Easy Asian Slaw made with cabbage and crunch ramen noodles
- A fresh Citrus Summer Slaw with almonds and raisins
- Try our Polish Cucumber Salad with yogurt and dill
Other traditional ingredients for Chana Chaat
- Replace curry powder with Chaat Shan Chaat Masala Seasoning
- Add chilies, tomatoes, potatoes
- Small crunchy uncooked noodles as a crunchy garnish
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Chana Chaat Recipe | Chickpea & Cucumber Salad
Chana Chaat, a Chickpea & Cucumber Salad where contrast is key. This Chana Chaat inspired recipe is turned into a robust and fresh salad with English cucumbers, chickpeas and fresh herbs kissed with a curry, brown sugar and lime juice vinaigrette. Make this for dinner tonight!
Ingredients
- 15 oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and dried
- 1/2 cup of red onion, diced finely
- 1 English cucumber, cut in half lengthwise and sliced into 1/4 inch slices
- 1 cup fresh herbs, I used cilantro and watercress
- 1/2 cup chives, sliced small (may use more red onion instead)
- 3-4 Tbs fresh lime juice
- 2 Tbs light brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbs cooking oil
- 2 tsp curry powder
Optional Garnish - any of the 3 below or skip all together
- Raw ramen noodles, crushed
- Fried wonton strips
- Fried noodles
Instructions
- Mix first five ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- In a small mixing bowl, add the next four ingredients.
- In a small pan, heat oil and curry powder over low-medium heat until the spices have warmed or 'bloomed' but do not cook long or it will burn.
- Scrape curry spice into the small mixing bowl and stir until curry powder has dissolved.
- Pour over the salad in large mixing bowl and toss.
- Garnish if desired with crunchy toppings.
Notes
- For a creamy version, add 1/2 cup of yogurt.
- Add tuna for a tuna salad and serve over spinach or other greens.
- Serve with chutney and Naan.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 316 Total Fat: 11g Saturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 9g Cholesterol: 8mg Sodium: 677mg Carbohydrates: 45g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 7g Sugar: 9g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 10g
Shona says
Well, I discovered after reading that many people reviewing have not actually tried this recipe. I made this today for a party this evening. It is delicious. I used Penzey’s Sweet Curry powder and added a little more lime juice. I bought eastern flat bread and can serve it as an appetizer or as a salad, I only used Cilantro. Very good recipe.
Matt Kearns says
What a colorful and healthy looking salad! I love chick peas and they are a great source of protein when you want a meatless meal. Well done!
Carol Borchardt says
I love this and I love your photos! Cucumbers are something we can actually grow in the South so we have an abundance and we’re always looking for new recipes. Definitely going to try this!
Jessica (Swanky Recipes) says
I just love chickpea salads with a bunch of fresh vegetables. Living in New Orleans, our garden is blooming right now. We’ll be adding this to our dinner menu this week!
Christine says
This looks so delicious! I’ve never made Chana Chaat before, but it looks amazing. Saving this for later!
Amanda Mason says
Ok, I’m seriously in love with ALL these ingredients! I’ve never heard of Chana Chaat but now I definately want to try it! SO healthy – GREAT recipe!
Tina says
Enjoy amanda, I’m always game for any chickpea recipe!
Marisa Franca says
We have all of the ingredients for this salad. It would be perfect with our pulled pork. I really like chickpeas and I don’t know why I don’t use them in salad more often. Thank you for the reminder. M
Tina says
Enjoy Marisa, thank you so much!
Jessica Robinson says
Amazing!!! Such wonderful flavors for summer. Seriously loving the combination of textures and flavors!
Veena Azmanov says
This sounds so refreshing. I love cucumber salads and chat masala is one of my favorite spices. This would be perfect for a BBQ or kebab fiesta. Yum.
Tina says
I am always up for anything with chickpeas and I look for inspiration to help me use up cucumbers.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
This salad looks so delicious!! I’ve never heard of chana chaat, but I do want to make your recipe! It looks fresh and scrumptious!
Tina says
Enjoy Elaine, it is so easy and a great way to use up cucumbers.
Dominique | Perchance to Cook says
This salad looks delicious!! (your photos are also beautiful ) I’m always looking for different salad recipes without lettuce to change up my lunches and I can’t wait to try this!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
I love this salad but I would have to substitute the cucumber which I really dislike. The rest is awesome, especially making your own tamarind paste 🙂
Kate says
This looks so good! I can’t wait to try it. I love all of the ingredients. Pinning to try later!
Tina says
I am always on the lookout for chickpea recipes, have fun with the Kate!
David says
This salad was really good. I don’t think I have ever had a spicy salad before. This was really good with our BBQ ribs.