Make this restaurant Chilli Paneer which is quick and easy to make. Chilli Paneer can be made semi dry or with gravy and I have shared both the versions of Chilli Paneer – Semi Dry and Gravy. Chilli Paneer serves as a great starter or appetizer or can be relished with noodles, fried rice etc.
What is Chilli Paneer?
Chilli Paneer is a popular Indo-Chinese dish that combines the Chinese cuisine with a flavorful Indian twist. It is a delicious and tangy appetizer that is often served in Indian restaurants. Chilli Paneer is a semi dry starter made by first marinating paneer cubes in a flour based batter, deep fried until golden then finally tossed in a hot sauce along with ginger, garlic, onion and capsicum. The addition of onion, bell pepper gives a nice crunch along with crispy paneer, sure give this a try and enjoy! Chilli Paneer is one of most popular Indo Chinese order at restaurants. This homemade Chilli Paneer is so good that you cannot stop with just a plate. Both mitu and gugu are fond of Chilli dishes so that justifies the post here. This Chilli Paneer Recipe is one of the most requested recipe here so thought to share it. Chinese Dishes involves flash cooking so if the ingredients are ready the dish gets ready in no time.
Chilli Paneer Video
Chilli Paneer Semi Dry vs Chilli Paneer Gravy
Chilli Paneer Semi Gravy : This is one of the most popular and liked version the semi dry version as it serves as a great starter and as a sidedish for fried rice, noodles etc. Chilli Paneer Gravy : Chilli Paneer Gravy is best served only as a sidedish.
Though both taste good in its own way, Personally I like the semi dry version but it is purely your preference and taste.
More paneer recipes
Similar Recipes
Chilli Potato Chilli Bread Chilli Parotta Chilli Gobi Baby Corn Manchurian
Chilli Paneer Ingredients
Paneer – Use fresh paneer that is soft. You can use homemade paneer or store bought paneer. Flour – Maida and cornflour is used for making the batter. You can replace maida with wheat flour too. Sauces – Soya sauce, Chilli Sauce and Tomato Sauce is used. You can replace Chilli sauce with Schezwan sauce too. Vegetables – Ginger, garlic, onion and capsicum are used. Spring onion gives a great flavor to this dish. Spice powders – Red Chilli Powder and Pepper Powder are used.
How to make Chilli Paneer Step by Step
1.Take 200 grams paneer rinse it well first. 2.Cut into small cubes. 3.Repeat to finish and set aside. 4.To a small bowl add 1 teaspoon soya sauce, 1 and 1/2 teaspoon chilli sauce, 2 tablespoon tomato sauce, 1/4 teaspoon red chilli powder, 1/4 teaspoon pepper powder along with 2 tablespoon water. 5.Mix well and set aside. 6.To another small bowl add 1 heaped teaspoon cornflour with 2 tablespoon water, mix it well to form a slurry and set aside. 7.In a mixing bowl – add 1/4 cup cornflour and 1/4 cup maida along with 1/2 teaspoon pepper powder, 1 teaspoon kashmiri red chilli powder and required salt to taste. 8.Mix it well and set aside. 9.Add water little by little to form a slightly thick batter. 10.The batter should be flowing but thick to coat the paneer. 11.Now add few paneer cubes to the batter. Coat each paneer with the batter. You can add all at once and mix it too. 12.Heat oil in a kadai – add the coated paneer cubes few at a time depending upon the kadai size. 13.Do not disturb for few seconds then slowly break the paneer if it sticks to each other then turn over and fry. Alternatively you can break the paneer cubes after deep frying also. 14.Flip over to fry it even on all sides. 15.Fry until it turns golden brown on all sides and is crisp. 16.Repeat to finish. Remove the paneer cubes and drain in a tissue paper. Break the pieces if it sticks to each other. Set aside. 17.To a pan add 1 tablespoon oil add 2 teaspoon garlic and 1 teaspoon ginger finely chopped. Saute until it turns golden then add 1 sliced green chilli and saute for few seconds. 18.Add 1/2 cup onion, 1/2 cup capsicum. 19.Saute for a minute. Then add required salt along with 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder, 1/2 teaspoon pepper powder. 20.Saute for few seconds. 21.Add prepared sauce mixture. 22.Give a quick mix to the cornflour slurry as the flour might settle at the bottom. Now add prepared cornflour slurry along with 1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar. 23.Give a quick mix. 24.Cook until the sauce thickens slightly. 25.Add fried paneer cubes. 26.Toss well and add 1 tablespoon spring onion. 27.Toss well and switch off. Chilli Paneer is ready! Serve hot!
Chilli Paneer Gravy Recipe
Chilli Paneer Gravy is an Indo Chinese Recipe but can be very well paired up with fried rice as well. I love the semi dry version more than the gravy kind even manchurians I like the semi dry version more.
Steps
1.To a bowl add all the ingredients listed under ‘for the marinade’. 2.Make a slightly thick batter by adding water little by little. 3.Add paneer cubes to this and coat with the batter well. 4.Heat oil in a pan and toast the paneer till slightly golden(You can deep fry them too).Drain it in a tissue and set aside. 5.Heat oil in a pan, add spring onion white part,ginger and garlic,fry till slightly browned. 6.Then add onion and capsicum saute in high flame for a minute. 7.Then add soya sauce, tomato sauce , chilli sauce, pepper powder and required salt. 8.Mix well until the veggies are coated evenly 9.Add 1 cup water and let it boil. 10.Add little water to remaining cornflour batter to form a thin cornflour slurry. 11.Let it boil well until it starts to thicken. 12.Once it starts to thicken add paneer and give a quick stir.Finally add spring onions green part and switch off. Chilli Paneer Gravy is ready. Serve as a accompaniment with fried rice or just as a starter and am sure you will make this often.
Expert Tips
The gravy tends to thicken if resting time is given, so switch off accordingly. If it becomes too thick then sprinkle little water, heat it up before serving. You may not end up using the entire maida cornflour paste so use the remaining for making the gravy. Add onion and capsicum cubed just saute for a few seconds so that it stays crunchy while eating. You can use colored capsicum just for adding color or use just green capsicum. You can either toast the paneer cubes in dosa tawa or deep fry them. You can even use vegetable stock replacing water. Adjust water level according to the consistency. Using freshly ground pepper adds a great flavor to the dish. Do not skip spring onion as it is one of the main ingredient for Chilli Paneer.
Serving & Storage
Chilli Paneer needs no main dish as it tastes great on its own, however fried rice and noodles can be served with it. Chilli Paneer is meant to be served hot, so I would not recommend to store. The crispness will be retained only for few hours after that it will become soggy, so make and consume it fresh for best taste.
1.Is there any replacement for maida?
Yes you can replace maida with rice flour, gives almost the same result.
2.Chilli paneer dry or Chilli paneer gravy?
It is purely based on personal preference – If you ask me I love the dry version more. But if you like more sauces then chilli paneer gravy should be your pick.
3.Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes you can make it vegan by replacing paneer with tofu. If you have any more questions about this Chilli Paneer Recipe do mail me at [email protected]. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter . Tried this Chilli Paneer Recipe? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.
📖 Recipe Card
