Chilli Paneer Recipe

Chilli Paneer is the perfect combination of India’s love for paneer and the bold, umami-packed flavors of Chinese cuisine. With crispy paneer cubes tossed in a spicy, tangy sauce loaded with garlic, soy, and chili — this dish is a star appetizer and a crowd-favorite main course.

Whether you like it dry as a starter or with gravy alongside fried rice or noodles, here’s the most foolproof recipe to make restaurant-style chilli paneer at home.

🧀 What is Chilli Paneer?

Chilli Paneer is a fusion dish from Indo-Chinese cuisine, made by tossing batter-fried paneer (Indian cottage cheese) in a spicy sauce made from soy sauce, chili sauce, vinegar, and garlic. It comes in two popular forms:

1. Dry Chilli Paneer: Served as a starter/snack with minimal sauce.
2. Gravy Chilli Paneer: Served as a main course with fried rice or noodles.

🛒 Ingredients

1. For the Fried Paneer

1. 250g paneer, cubed (firm texture)
2. 3 tbsp cornflour
3. 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (maida)
4. ½ tsp black pepper
5. Salt to taste
6. 3–4 tbsp water
7. Oil for shallow or deep frying

2. For the Sauce

1. 2 tbsp oil
2. 1 tbsp garlic, finely chopped
3. 1 tsp ginger, chopped
4. 2–3 green chilies, slit
5. 1 medium onion, cubed
6. 1 capsicum (green bell pepper), cubed
7. 2 tbsp soy sauce
8. 1 tbsp red chili sauce
9. 1 tbsp green chili sauce
10. 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
11. ½ tsp vinegar
12. ¼ tsp black pepper
13. Salt to taste
14. Spring onions for garnish

For Gravy Version (Optional)

1. 1½ tbsp cornflour mixed with ¾ cup water to make slurry

🔪 Preparation Steps

🔹 Step 1: Prepare and Fry Paneer

1. In a mixing bowl, combine cornflour, maida, salt, pepper, and water to make a smooth batter.
2. Coat paneer cubes in the batter evenly.
3. Heat oil and shallow/deep fry paneer until golden and crispy.
4. Remove and place on paper towels.

👨‍🍳 Pro Tip: Use firm paneer to prevent breaking. Freeze paneer cubes for 10 minutes before battering for a firmer texture.

🔹 Step 2: Make the Chilli Sauce Base

1. Heat oil in a wok or heavy-bottomed pan.
2. Add chopped garlic, ginger, and green chilies. Sauté until fragrant.
3. Add cubed onions and capsicum. Stir-fry on high heat for 2–3 minutes.
4. Add all sauces (soy, chili, ketchup), vinegar, black pepper, and salt.
5. Mix well and cook for 1–2 minutes.

🔹 Step 3: Combine & Toss

1. For dry chilli paneer, toss the fried paneer in the sauce, stir-fry for a minute, and serve hot.
2. For gravy chilli paneer, add the prepared cornflour slurry to the sauce and cook until it thickens. Add paneer, toss well, and cook for 2 more minutes.

🌶️ Adjust spice by increasing or reducing chili sauce and green chilies.

🍽️ How to Serve

Garnish with chopped spring onions and a dash of sesame seeds for a restaurant-style finish.

🧑‍🍳 Tips & Variations

✔️ Tips for Perfect Chilli Paneer

1. Use high flame stir-frying for the true Indo-Chinese taste.
2. Keep veggies crunchy — don’t overcook them.
3. Use dark soy sauce for a rich color.
4. Make it fresh and serve immediately to enjoy the crispiness.

🔄 Variations

1. Vegan Option: Substitute paneer with tofu.
2. Gluten-Free: Use rice flour instead of maida.
3. Add-ons: Sauté mushrooms, baby corn, or broccoli for a veggie-loaded version.
4. Schezwan Chilli Paneer: Add a tbsp of Schezwan chutney to the sauce for extra heat.

🥢 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Dry Version)

📌 Summary

Chilli Paneer is more than just a dish — it’s an experience of textures and flavors, combining crispiness, softness, and a fiery sauce. With this easy recipe, you can recreate your favorite restaurant-style dish right in your kitchen.

Whether you’re cooking for a party or satisfying a craving, this recipe will hit all the right notes. Serve it with a chilled drink and let the chaat-party vibes begin!

📸 Share Your Chilli Paneer!

Tried this recipe? Snap a pic and tag #ChilliPaneerCravings or #DesiChineseFix. We'd love to see your kitchen creations!