My take on Kala Chana Chaat is a vibrant, dry snack made by tossing black chickpeas with boiled potatoes, crunchy veggies, and a mix of bold, tangy spices.
Note – This recipe has been updated from the archives – first published in June 2013. There are minor changes to the recipe – highlighted below. I’ve also added new images and helpful content.
Kala chana nu shaak has always been my go-to comfort food. But kala chana chaat? That’s a whole different level – plenty of tang, plenty of crunch, and absolutely bursting with flavour.
More often than I care to admit, I’ll get a sudden craving for chaat. The only problem is that many chaat recipes, like papdi chaat, need some forward planning. What I love about this one is that all that punchy flavour comes from spice powders like chaat masala and amchoor – no chutneys or extras needed. A bit like my Indian lobia salad.
You'll find that most versions out there stick to a base of black chickpeas – and while that’s delicious on its own, I like to do things a little differently.
I’ve recently started adding potatoes to the mix – mostly because I think everything tastes better with potatoes (and honestly, potatoes + anything = yum!). They add a lovely heartiness to the chaat and soak up all that delicious masala. It tastes a bit like pani puri filling but with the addition of crisp veggies.
The best part? This recipe couldn’t be easier. Once your kala chana and potatoes are cooked, it’s just a matter of tossing everything together. Quick to make... and even quicker to eat!
If you're cooking your chickpeas in the Instant Pot, you can follow the same instructions for black chickpeas – just use the same timings and you're good to go.
Ingredients notes
Kala chana - tinned kala chana are convenient and work perfectly well for this recipe. Sometimes I batch cook dried kala chana in my instant pot and freeze in smaller portions for later. If you are going to cook them at home, I recommend cooking until just tender. You don't want mushy kala chana for this recipe.
Potatoes - optional but if you use in this recipe, we need boiled, peeled and chopped potatoes.
Veggies - I'm using the typical veggies that are added to bhel puri. Red onion, cucumber, tomatoes and green chillies - all chopped.
Spice powders - again, the typical masala that you would recognise in chaat - chaat masala, black salt, red chilli powder, amchoor powder.
Lemon juice - in case it isn't obvious - we need LOTS of tang!
Coriander - lots of fresh coriander leaves scattered over.
As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
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📖 Recipe
Kala Chana Chaat
Ingredients
- 3 cup kala chana (black chickpeas) cooked
- ½ cup potatoes boiled and cut into cubes
- ½ cup red onion finely chopped
- ½ cup tomato finely chopped
- ½ cup cucumber cut into cubes
- 3 tablespoon green chillies finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon chaat masala
- 1 teaspoon dry mango powder amchoor powder
- 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon black salt kala namak
- salt to taste
- ¼ cup fresh coriander chopped
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the boiled black chickpeas with all the other ingredients and spices.
- Mix well and adjust the seasoning as required.
- Optionally, set aside for 15-20 minutes to develop flavours further before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
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Hayley Dhanecha says
I like making kala chana chaat when I want something fresh, tangy and full of texture, especially for a quick lunch or light snack.
great-secret-of-life says
nice tribute the father. so yummy and healthy snack
Kalyan Panja says
looks delicious & mouthwatering!
kitchen queen says
an excellent tribute to a father because of whom we r what we r today. I truly hope all the children on this earth r forever grateful to their parents for what they given them in life by sacrificing their interests and serve their parents when they grow old.
Shruti Dhingra Wahi says
Feeling sad for that father ....How can ppl do like this ??
Love the way you made the channas ...They look delicious 🙂
Simplyfood says
Jag what a beautiful tribute to your dad , he is lucky to have such a loving daughter. Chana masala looks wonderful.
Gujarati Zaika says
nice post and yummy recipe....
Javelin Warrior says
A wonderful tribute to your father, Jagruti! It's a pleasure getting to read about him and these spiced chickpeas sound and look so tasty... I love the mix of ingredients and the presentation!
divya says
looks fantastic...
Home Cooked food says
I have same story , my mom told me when I was about to come here, even my elder sister didn't know about that part of their life that how they survive in their life , my mom didn't had money while she was pragnant with my sister and she just eat bread and water. Seriously I am crying writing all these and still they gave us all the best things in life. All days are Happy Father's day and Mother's day for us. BTW chana is delicious , i make it as salad.
jcookingodyssey says
Our parents has seen very tough life, even I had tears while I was drafting this post.My husaband and daughter read and they hd tears too:(
I really want to help my dad, but as Indian father he won't accept any help from his daughter..! he is a typical Indian Dad