Appetizer · Snack · Asian · Pakistani ·

Zesty Pakistani Chana Chaat with Tamarind Sauce

Name: Zesty Pakistani Chana Chaat with Tamarind Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: Chickpeas, 2 cans (400g each), drained and rinsed; Red onion, 1 medium, finely chopped; Tomatoes, 2 medium, diced; Cucumber, 1, peeled and diced; Green chili, 1, finely chopped; Cumin seeds, 1 tsp, roasted and ground; Chili powder, ½ tsp; Chaat masala, ½ tsp; Salt, ½ tsp (or to taste); Black salt, ¼ tsp; Tamarind paste, 1/2 cup; Jaggery or brown sugar, 2 tbsp; Red chili powder, 1/2 tsp; Water, 1 cup; Fresh coriander leaves, chopped; Sev, crunchy chickpea noodles

A classic street food from South Asia, this Chana Chaat combines chickpeas with a medley of spices, fresh vegetables, and a tangy tamarind sauce.

4.1(976 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 14, 2025

Zesty Pakistani Chana Chaat with Tamarind Sauce — Appetizer served and photographed from above

Prep

15 min

Cook

45 min

Difficulty

Easy

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Chana Mix

For the Spice Mix

For the Tamarind Sauce

For Garnishing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 257 kcal
Protein: 10.3 g
Carbs: 47.3 g
Fat: 3.3 g
Fiber: 8 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1028 kcal
Protein: 41 g
Carbs: 189 g
Fat: 13 g
Fiber: 32 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Chickpeas 2 cans (400g each), drained and rinsed	560	30	90	6	20
Red onion 1 medium, finely chopped	44	1	10	0	2
Tomatoes 2 medium, diced	44	2	10	0	4
Cucumber 1, peeled and diced	16	1	4	0	1
Green chili 1, finely chopped	6	0	1	0	0
Cumin seeds 1 tsp, roasted and ground	8	0	1	0	1
Chili powder ½ tsp	3	0	1	0	0
Chaat masala ½ tsp	3	0	1	0	0
Salt ½ tsp (or to taste)	0	0	0	0	0
Black salt ¼ tsp	0	0	0	0	0
Tamarind paste 1/2 cup	120	2	30	0	2
Jaggery or brown sugar 2 tbsp	100	0	25	0	0
Red chili powder 1/2 tsp	3	0	1	0	0
Water 1 cup	0	0	0	0	0
Fresh coriander leaves chopped	1	0	0	0	0
Sev crunchy chickpea noodles	120	5	16	7	2

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Chana Mix

1
Combine ingredients
In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, red onion, tomatoes, cucumber, and green chili.
2
Toss to mix
Toss gently to mix the ingredients well.
3
Let flavors meld
Set aside to let the flavors begin to meld.

Making the Tamarind Sauce

1
Combine sauce ingredients
In a saucepan, combine tamarind paste, jaggery, red chili powder, and water.
Tip: Prepare the tamarind sauce in advance and refrigerate for deeper flavors.
2
Cook sauce
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Tip: Do not over-reduce the tamarind sauce as it will thicken further upon cooling.
3
Cool sauce
Allow to cool before using.

How to Make Zesty Pakistani Chana Chaat with Tamarind Sauce

Total time: 1 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Mix the Spice Blend
Combine cumin, chili powder, chaat masala, salt, and black salt in a small bowl.
2
Season the Chaat
Sprinkle the spice blend over the chana mix and toss to distribute evenly.
3
Drizzle with Tamarind Sauce
Pour the tamarind sauce over the chaat, adjust quantity to taste.