5 Easy Cholay Chaat Recipes to Try at Home

Are you craving the delicious and tangy taste of Cholay Chaat? Often enjoyed as a popular street food in Pakistan and parts of India, Cholay Chaat can be an exciting dish to make at home. With its spicy, savory chickpeas paired with fresh, crunchy vegetables and zesty chutneys, it’s a crowd pleaser. Here are five delightful Cholay Chaat recipes you can try to bring that street-food flavor into your kitchen.

Traditional Cholay Chaat

Ingredients:

• 2 cups boiled chickpeas (Kabuli Chana)
• 1 large potato, boiled and cubed
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 2 green chilies, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp chopped coriander
• 1 tbsp chaat masala
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt to taste
• Sweet tamarind chutney
• Green coriander chutney
• Yogurt
• Papri (flat fried crackers)
• Sev

Instructions:

1. Mix the chickpeas, potato, onion, tomato, cucumber, green chilies, and coriander in a large bowl.
2. Add chaat masala, salt, and lemon juice, tossing everything together.
3. Spread the mixture in a serving dish.
4. Drizzle with both tamarind and green chutneys, followed by a dollop of yogurt.
5. Top with crushed papri and sev for that extra crunch.

⚠️ Note: If you are using canned chickpeas, make sure to drain and rinse them well to remove excess salt and preservatives.

Cholay Chaat with a Twist

Ingredients:

• All the ingredients from the traditional recipe
• ¹⁄₄ cup pomegranate seeds
• ¹⁄₄ cup diced raw mango
• 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses

Instructions:

1. Prepare the traditional Cholay Chaat recipe.
2. Add pomegranate seeds and raw mango to the mix for extra tanginess.
3. Drizzle the chaat with pomegranate molasses instead of tamarind chutney.
4. Proceed with the remaining traditional toppings.

Spicy Aloo Cholay Chaat

Ingredients:

• 2 cups boiled chickpeas
• 2 large potatoes, boiled, peeled, and cubed
• 1 tbsp red chili powder
• 1 tbsp amchur (dry mango powder)
• 2 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste
• Chaat masala, lemon juice, onions, tomatoes, cucumber, green chilies, coriander, chutneys, yogurt, papri, and sev as in the traditional recipe.

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan and sauté the boiled potatoes with salt, red chili, and amchur until slightly crispy.
2. Mix these potatoes with the rest of the ingredients as per the traditional recipe.
3. Adjust the spice level with more chaat masala or chilies as per preference.

🌶️ Note: Be mindful of the heat level; you can always add more chilies, but you can’t take it away once it's added.

Cold Cholay Salad Chaat

Ingredients:

• 2 cups boiled chickpeas
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 red onion, finely chopped
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp black pepper
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine chickpeas, cucumber, onion, and bell pepper in a large bowl.
2. Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper for the dressing.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well.
4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Vegan Cholay Chaat

Ingredients:

• 2 cups boiled chickpeas
• All other traditional chaat ingredients except yogurt
• Vegan yogurt for drizzling

Instructions:

1. Follow the traditional Cholay Chaat recipe, but substitute regular yogurt with vegan yogurt.
2. Ensure all other ingredients are vegan-friendly.

In essence, Cholay Chaat, with its vibrant flavors and versatile ingredients, is a dish that can cater to various dietary preferences. These recipes are just a starting point; feel free to experiment with toppings and spices to suit your taste. Whether you prefer the traditional mix, a spicy kick, or a refreshing cold salad, there’s a Cholay Chaat recipe here for every palate. Enjoy experimenting and savoring these delightful treats at home.