This Indian salad recipe with chickpeas is also known as Kabuli Chana Salad. Cooked chickpeas, fresh veggies like tomato and cucumber are tossed in a salad dressing made with Indian spices. It is a favorite chickpea salad recipe of mine to enjoy alongside an Indian vegetable curry as it provides protein and nutrients from the crunchy veggies. I am always on the lookout for healthy recipes, and this simple salad fits the bill! It is an easy and delicious way to enjoy the humble chickpea. If you have ready prepared cooked chickpeas or have a can of chickpeas, this bean salad can be ready in 10 minutes. Other chickpea salad recipes that I love are this delightful chickpea salad with creamy avocado dressing and this Summer Chickpea Salad.
Why you will love this recipe:
suitable for vegans/vegetarians – all ingredients are naturally plant based naturally gluten-free made from simple ingredients available at local grocery stores filling salad – chickpeas are high fiber so can help contribute to weight loss easy to make ahead in a few easy steps just like this Lentil Salad
Ingredients for Indian Spiced Chickpea Salad
The beauty of this salad is that you can make it your own. I have given my recommendations with optional extras below. Full measurements can be found in the recipe card below. Chickpeas aka garbanzo beans or kabuli chana. You need cooked chickpeas for this recipe. You can cook dried chickpeas in the Instant Pot pressure cooker or use canned chickpeas. If using the Instant Pot Chickpeas method, ensure to keep the chickpeas just cooked rather than mushy. As an alternative, use a different bean such as red kidney beans or white beans. You can also use dark chickpeas called Kala Chana. Red onion – finely chopped red onion goes best in salads Tomato – use salad tomatoes as they are less fleshy. Alternatively use halved cherry tomatoes Cucumber – I have used english cucumber but you can use other Cilantro / coriander leaves and mint leaves – use fresh Lemon juice – alternatively use lime juice. If you do not have it, you can add dried mango powder or white vinegar. Salt and black pepper Chaat masala – this sour blend of spice powders is used in Indian street food recipes. The black salt gives the distinctive flavour. Olive oil – I have used extra virgin
Variations
To make it spicy add freshly chopped green chilies or red chili flakes. Add bell peppers such as red capsicums as they add more vitamin C to the recipe Add cooked sweet potatoes to the salad to bulk it out further Imli chutney – toss the salad in a spoon of imli chutney (tamarind sauce) to make Chana Chaat Feta cheese is more commonly used in Mediterranean chickpea salad but it can also work well here Add seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds Add pomegranate seeds. Instead of chaat masala, add Indian spice powders such as cumin seeds, red chili powder (cayenne pepper), ground cumin powder and garam masala. Alternatively, use curry powder.
How to make Indian Chickpea Salad
Cook your dry chickpeas or rinse a tin of chickpeas in cold water. Chop the tomatoes, cucumber and herbs. In a large bowl, add the chickpeas, crunchy vegetables, fresh cilantro and mint, Season with chaat masala and add salt and black pepper to taste. Pour over olive oil and lemon juice.
Serving
This tasty chickpea salad works as a healthy side dish. For a complete meal, serve it alongside Aloo Gobi, dal fry, boiled rice and rotlis (chapati). Serve at a barbeque alongside this pesto potato salad or Greek potato salad. Add a carbohydrate dish such as these Air Fryer Indian Potatoes or Instant Pot Orzo Salad. I like to serve it at room temperature but you can serve it chilled too.
Storage
Store leftover chickpeas salad in an air-tight container and keep in the fridge for up to a day. Any longer than a day and the salad will not taste fresh. If preparing Indian Chickpea Salad for later, I suggest storing the vegetables separately and assembling prior to serving.
Other Chickpea Recipes
Authentic Chana Masala Chana Saag Sundried tomato Chickpea Cakes Cauliflower and Chickpea Tacos Instant Pot Chickpea and Coconut Curry Easy Instant Pot Chana Pulao 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! Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can’t wait to see you all there!
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