Chilli Paneer

Chilli Paneer is a popular Indo-Chinese dish that combines succulent paneer (Indian cottage cheese) with a flavorful and spicy sauce. This dish is known for its perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it a favorite among both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The paneer is coated in a delicious sauce that's tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet, making it a delightful addition to your meal.

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Cooking Method: Stir-frying

Cuisine: Chinese, Indian

Courses: Dinner, Lunch

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 1

Calories: 300 calories per serving (may vary based on cooking method and portion size)

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Ingredients

For Marination

Paneer, cut into cubes
Cornflour
All-purpose flour (maida)
Ginger-garlic paste
Soy sauce
Salt
Water

For Stir-frying

Onion, cubed or sliced
Bell peppers (Capsicum), cubed or sliced (various colors for visual appeal)
Green chilies, slit
Spring onions, chopped (green and white parts separated)

For the Sauce

Soy sauce
Tomato ketchup or chili sauce
Green chili sauce (adjust to taste)
Vinegar
Sugar
Salt
Water or vegetable broth

Instructions

1
Start by marinating the paneer cubes. Mix cornflour, all-purpose flour, ginger-garlic paste, soy sauce, and salt in a bowl. Add water to form a smooth batter. Coat the paneer cubes with this batter and let them sit for a few minutes.
2
Heat oil in a pan and shallow-fry the marinated paneer cubes until they turn golden and slightly crispy. Set them aside.
3
In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
4
Add cubed bell peppers and green chilies. Stir-fry until the peppers are slightly cooked but still retain their crunch.
5
In a separate bowl, mix soy sauce, tomato ketchup or chili sauce, green chili sauce, vinegar, sugar, and salt to create the sauce mixture.
6
Pour the sauce mixture into the pan with the sautéed vegetables. Stir well to combine.
7
Add the fried paneer cubes to the pan and coat them with the sauce and vegetables.
8
If needed, you can add a little water or vegetable broth to achieve the desired consistency of the sauce.
9
Garnish with chopped spring onion greens.
10
Serve the Chilli Paneer hot as an appetizer or alongside steamed rice or noodles.

Note

Adjust the level of spiciness by varying the amount of green chilies and chili sauce.
For a healthier option, you can pan-fry or bake the paneer instead of deep-frying.
Customize the dish by adding colorful bell peppers, onions, or other vegetables of your choice.
Garnish with chopped spring onions or fresh cilantro for added freshness

Read it online: https://tastespread.com/recipe/chilli-paneer/