Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9X5-inch baking pan and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
In a large bowl, whisk together the applesauce, oil, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla and sour cream until well blended.
Add the dry ingredients and pour the chocolate chips on top of the dry ingredients. Stir until the batter is just combined (don't overmix!).
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 45-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs but not wet batter.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before running a knife gently around the edges and turning out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.