Why order the dish when you can just make it easily at home with the same flavors and zest! This chili paneer recipe is one of the simplest and most delicious recipes you can make at home without putting too much effort as it can be ready in a jiffy.

Talking about this dish’s history, This version of chili paneer originated in India, and not in China! In East India, this dish is better known as Chhena. For this recipe, unaged, acid-set, and non-melting farmer cheese, which is better known as cottage cheese, is used. 

How to Make Chili Paneer at Home Easily? 

Chili paneer is a popular Indo-Chinese delicacy. In this recipe, cubes of fried crispy paneer are well-tossed in a spicy sauce. For the sauce, use soy sauce, vinegar, and chili sauce! You can prepare your own paneer at home by curdling the heated milk with lemon juice or another food acid. 

This recipe is best known for its spicy chili flavor along with the creaminess of paneer and spice of Indo-Chinese sauce. If you are looking for an ideal party start or an appetizer that can be shared with the main dish then look no further than this chili paneer recipe. 

This chili paneer is finger-licking good and we can assure you that once you make this at home then you will never order it online or get a takeaway. This recipe of ours is just like chili chicken as it perfectly holds the hot and spicy flavors! To make this recipe extra crispy, we have deep-fried the coated paneer twice. 

So, let’s see how you can make this delicious paneer chili recipe at home! 

Chili Paneer Recipe
Chili Paneer Recipe

Quick Stats 

Prep time: 20 minutes 

Cooking time: 20 minutes 

Servings: 4 serves 

Ingredients 

For frying the paneer

  • 250 grams paneer cut into cubes
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper ground
  • less than 1/2 cup of water to make a free-flowing batter
  • oil for frying

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce 30 ml
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 15 ml
  • 3 teaspoons green chili sauce 15 ml
  • 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup 30 ml
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar

Cornstarch slurry

  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Stir-Fry

  • 1.5 tablespoons sesame oil 22 ml
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil 15 ml
  • 1 tablespoon chopped ginger
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • 1 stalk celery finely chopped
  • 1 green chili sliced
  • 1 medium red onion quartered and petals separated
  • 1 green pepper cut into squares
  • 3-4 tablespoons of water
  • green onions chopped, for garnishing

Method to Prepare 

  • First, cut the paneer into cubes. Then, take a large bowl and add 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, salt, and pepper. 
  • Then, pour water to get a free-flowing batter as your batter shouldn’t be too thick or thin. ½ cup of water will be enough to make the batter.  
  • While you are making the batter, add oil to a kadhai and heat it over medium flame to deep fry the paneer. 
  • Now, dip each cubed paneer into the batter and then, add them to hot oil. 
  • Fry the paneer pieces until they are golden brown and crispy from both sides. Take the fried paneer out of the deep pan and drain the excess oil on the paper towels. 
  • Once again, heat the oil and dip the fried paneer into the batter once again. Fry the paneer once again until golden brown, over high flame. 
  • This will get you crispy and textured paneer cubes for your dish. Add the fried paneer pieces to a paper towel to drain extra oil. 
  • Meanwhile, take a bowl and add soy sauce, rice vinegar, green chili sauce, tomato ketchup, and sugar. Incorporate everything until well combined. Set the bowl aside. 
  • Then, take a small bowl and add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of water. 
  • Give it a good mix until the cornstarch is dissolved completely. Keep the cornstarch slurry aside. 
  • Now, heat the choice of your oil in a kadhai or wok, and add ginger, garlic, celery, and green chili when the oil is hot enough. Saute everything for a minute. 
  • Then, add the quartered onion and pepper and cook everything for 2 minutes on high heat. 
  • Make sure you don’t cook them for more than that as you will want your veggies to be crunchy. 
  • Now, pour the prepared sauce and mix everything well. Meanwhile, lower the flame to medium and cook it. 
  • Take your cornstarch slurry and add it to the sauce. This slurry will thicken the sauce so you may need to add 3 to 4 tablespoons of water. 
  • Now, add the fried paneer cubes and toss well to combine everything with the sauce. 
  • Toss for five minutes and then turn off the flame and garnish it with green onions.
  • Serve it warm, with the Maggi Manchurian recipe, and enjoy! 

Must Check: Paneer Tikka Masala Dhaba Style – Perfect Treat to Paneer Fans!

Final Words 

With the help of just a few ingredients, you will be able to cook this delicious recipe at home! All you need are paneer, a bunch of Chinese sauces, ketchup, and your favorite veggies – and you are good to go. So, if you are planning to present something delicious to loved ones, try this hearty delight and indulge in its goodness!