Punjabi Chole Kulcha is one of North India’s most iconic and loved street food combos. Spicy, tangy chickpeas cooked with bold masalas, paired with soft, buttery kulchas—this dish delivers the perfect balance of heat, flavor, and satisfaction.
🌟 IntroductionPunjabi Chole Kulcha is one of North India’s most iconic and loved street food combos. Spicy, tangy chickpeas cooked with bold masalas, paired with soft, buttery kulchas—this dish delivers the perfect balance of heat, flavor, and satisfaction.
Servings: 4
Cost: 150
Ingredients
For Chole (Spicy Chickpeas):
- 1 cup kabuli chana chickpeas, soaked overnight
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 2 large tomatoes pureed
- 2 green chilies slit
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 bay leaf
- 1- inch cinnamon stick
- 2 –3 cloves
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1½ tsp chole masala or garam masala
- 1 tsp amchur powder dry mango
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp oil or ghee
- Fresh coriander leaves chopped
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped onions
- Lemon wedges
- Green chutney
For Kulcha (Soft Indian Bread):
- 2 cups all-purpose flour maida
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp curd yogurt
- Water as needed to knead
- Butter for cooking
- Optional: Coriander and nigella seeds kalonji for topping
Instructions
🔸 Step 1: Cook the Chole
- Pressure cook soaked chickpeas with salt and enough water for 4–5 whistles.
- In a pan, heat oil and add cumin, bay leaf, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Add chopped onion and sauté till golden.
- Add ginger-garlic paste, sauté for a minute.
- Add tomato puree, spices, and cook till oil separates.
- Add boiled chole, mix well, and simmer for 10–15 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning. Mash a few chickpeas for a thicker texture. Garnish with coriander.
🔸 Step 2: Prepare Kulchas
- Mix flour, baking powder, soda, sugar, and salt.
- Add curd and knead into a soft dough with water. Rest for 2 hours.
- Divide dough into balls, roll into oval shapes. Sprinkle optional toppings.
- Roast on hot tawa or oven till golden, apply butter on top.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
- Serve hot chole with warm buttery kulchas.
- Add sliced onions, lemon juice, or mint chutney on the side.
- Ideal for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch.
💡 Tips & Tricks
- Use black tea while boiling chole to get a deep color (tie in a muslin cloth).
- Let kulcha dough rest for a couple of hours for better fluffiness.
- Add a spoon of anardana powder for authentic street-style tang.