Kala Chana Chaat Recipe - Black Chickpea Salad

This Kala Chana Salad, a popular Indian Chana Chaat made with Boiled Black Chickpea is a healthy appetizer rich in savory flavors of onion, tomato, spices, and lemon juice. This lip-smacking Kala Chana Chaat recipe gathers in no time and is a high-protein salad fused with tangy and spicy flavors and can be had as a light breakfast or an evening meal.

A popular Mumbai Street Food, Kala Chana Chaat is a total comfort snack that can be made quickly with pre-boiled black chickpeas. As an Indian, I love the bold and crunchy flavors that comes from a chaat and I would never say No to this Nutrition-packed salad.

This Chana Salad is made with onion and tomato and can be easily customized with options to include subtle flavored Cucumber, carrots, replacing crunchy onions with caramelized onions or tangy curd/dahi and Raw mango (Ambi). This depends how you love your salad. The same recipe can be used to make Kabuli Chana Salad (White Chickpea). Top it with my homemade chana masala powder for the best flavor!

You may like one of the popular salad recipe from my blog: Apple Cucumber Mint Salad.

Find my Navratri special Indian Street food- Shakarkandi/ Swete Potato Chaat

Other Chickpeas Recipes: Chickpea Curry With Spinach (Chana Saag), Punjabi Chana Masala, Chickpea Salad Mediterranean Style.

Why You Would Love This Recipe?

• Vegan and Gluten-Free recipe of Healthy Snack!
• Oil-free Easy Salad of Indian cuisine.
• Simple Yet Elegant Side Dish.
• Low Carb & High Protein
• Flavorful, Crunchy and Healthy Chaat Salad
• Omit onions to make it Vrat Salad
• The Best Kala Chana Chaat Recipe Ever!

What is Kala Chana?

Kala chana, also known as black chickpeas or Bengal gram, is a variety of chickpeas that is smaller and darker in color compared to the more commonly known beige or yellow chickpeas. It is widely used in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisines. Kala chana has a nutty flavor and a dense, firm texture.

These legumes are a good source of plant-based protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are particularly rich in folate, iron, potassium, and magnesium.

Black Chickpea can be used in various dishes such as curries, stews, salads, and snacks. It can be cooked on its own or combined with other ingredients like vegetables, spices, and herbs to enhance its flavor and nutritional value. It is often soaked and boiled before being used in recipes to ensure tenderness and reduce cooking time.

Ingredients

This recipe needs super easy ingredients that can be procured from local Indian grocery stores and most of it would be in your pantry. Read the Recipe Card for the measurements.

For The Black Chickpea Salad

• Black Chickpea: or Kale Chane / Desi Chane as we commonly call them are highly rich in proteins and calcium. You may also use the same recipe (without any changes) to make White Chickpea Salad.
• Onion: Crunchy raw onions add the depth to this flavorful salad. If you are on fast, you may omit the onions and this energy-rich chana salad would be great for a fasting day.One may use white onions as well.
• Tomato: The Vitamin C rich fresh raw tomatoes add the perfect juiciness to this crunchy salad.
• Lemon juice: Without the tangy fresh lemons, any salad seems boring. Fresh lime juice works best. Adjust according to your taste. You may add Dry mango powder (amchur powder) as well.
• Spices: I have added black salt (pink salt or kala namak), black pepper, green chilies, and Red chilly powder. Feel free to reduce the heat by skipping chilies. 
• Garnish: Freshly chopped coriander or cilantro leaves or fresh herbs work best in this recipe. 

How To Make The Black Chickpeas Chaat

1. Gather all the ingredients, wash them and chop onion and tomato.
2. This recipe uses boiled kale chana. I had boiled the black chickpea a night before. Generally, whenever I make kala chana curry, I store a large bowl from it to make this salad.
3. For cooking Kala Chana, soak them for 4-8 hrs in enough water. Drain the water and add the Kala chana to a stovetop pressure cooker. Add salt and water to soak them one inch deep. Give two whistles on full flame and simmer for 15 min. Once the cooker cools off, Take out the kala chana and the water can be used to knead the dough. It's rich in calcium and we have it as a warm kala chana soup as well.
4. In a large bowl and add kala chana, chopped onions, green chilies, and tomatoes. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and red chili powder. Give it a good mix. Add lemon juice and top it with green coriander leaves.  

5. The Healthy Kala Chana Chaat is ready. Enjoy it!

Variations

• Sprout Bean or Chana Salad: This recipe can also be made using sprouted chana or beans. They taste amazing with raw onion and tomato. 
• Add another Protein: You may top this salad with raw chunks of Paneer (Indian cottage cheese) to add more protein. But then it won't be a vegan salad. The other proteins can be Moong Dal or Rajma beans.
• Add another green: If you love greens, add a bunch of fresh Kale or spinach leaves to this salad. You may also add green chutney made from fresh cilantro.
• Add another tangy flavor: The tamarind chutney (saunth) can be added to have a perfect balance of flavors in this salad. But then this salad won't be sugar-free.  
• Add another spice- Add cumin powder, coriander powder, or chaat masala for strong Indian flavors.
• Add Fruit: Topping the Chaat with Anar (pomegranate) is totally Indian style and trust me, you would really love it. 
• Dahi Chana Chaat: One of the popular adds on any chaat is Dahi (Curd). Whether it's a gole gappa chaat or papdi, dahi brings the taste of chaat to another level! 
• Aloo Chana Chaat: Those who are fans of boiled potatoes, can add chopped or mashed potatoes to this salad.  

Storage Suggestions

• If you are not making salad the same day, store the room temperature already boiled Black chickpea in refrigerator for making salad the following day.
• The left over salad would be good for 2-3 days in refrigerator and not beyond that.

What To Serve With This Salad?

Black Chickpea salad is a great snack and can be had as is. For having it as a meal, you may team it with breads, pasta or soups.

• Whole Wheat Focaccia Bread
• Gluten Free Vegan Red Tomato Pasta
• Healthy Tomato Soup

Expert Tips

• The boiled chana water can be used to knead the dough. It's rich in calcium and we have it as a warm kala chana soup as well.
• This salad would be good for 2-3 days storage in refrigerator.
• The salad is mild spicy but being an Indian we love the heat in salad and other appetizers. My version of spicy may not be same as yours. Start with less chilly and gradually add more as per your taste.
• You may garnish it with pomegranate, boiled potatoes chunks or raw paneer.

Stories From Kitchen

Kala Chana is very close to my heart. We used to wait for Navratri Puja in family for having Halwa, Chana and Puri and trust me no prasad has ever tasted like that! Made in Desi ghee and when offered to Mata rine, it really is a prasad. I would have loads of chana mixed with Suji halwa and the legacy goes on. My kid also waits for the Navmi Puja to have this decadent treat!

FAQs

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