Chilli Paneer (Dry)
चिल्ली पनीर
Chilli Paneer is the vegetarian flagship of Indo-Chinese cuisine — crispy-fried cubes of paneer tossed in a wok with capsicum, onion, and a sauce of soy, chilli, and vinegar. The paneer is first coated in a cornflour-soy batter and deep-fried until it develops a golden, slightly chewy crust, then tossed in the sauce at high heat until the exterior caramelises and clings. The contrast of textures — crispy outside, soft and milky inside — with the bold, umami-forward sauce is what makes it so addictive. It is one of the most ordered starters at Indian restaurants and one of the most popular items at Gen Z parties.
- Total
- 35 min
- Serves
- 3
- Level
- Medium
Prep 15 min · Cook 20 min
Ingredients
Method
Prepare paneer: Mix cornflour, flour, soy sauce, a pinch of salt, and enough water to make a thick batter. Dip paneer cubes and coat well. Deep-fry in hot oil (175°C) in batches for 2–3 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain. The paneer should have a firm, slightly chewy exterior.
About 15 min
Tip: Do not overcrowd the oil — fry in small batches so temperature stays high and paneer crisps instead of steaming.
Make sauce: Heat 2 tbsp oil in a wok over high heat. Add garlic and green chilli — 30 seconds. Add onion petals and capsicum — stir-fry 2 minutes, keeping crunchy. Add soy sauce, chilli sauce, and vinegar. Stir-fry 1 minute until the sauce reduces and becomes glossy.
About 8 min
Tip: The vegetables must retain their crunch — total cooking time after the sauce is added should not exceed 2 minutes.
Add the fried paneer cubes. Toss over highest heat for 1–2 minutes until each cube is coated and the sauce is almost dry (not wet). Garnish with spring onion greens and optional sesame seeds. Serve immediately as a starter or alongside fried rice.
About 3 min
Tip: The "dry" version means the sauce should cling — not pool. If the wok is not hot enough, the paneer will steam and soften.
Nutrition per serving (estimate)
- Calories
- 480
- Protein
- 22 g
- Carbs
- 28 g
- Fat
- 32 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Sodium
- 960 mg
Contains: dairy, gluten, soy
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Recipe by Boon Tools.