Chilli Paneer is a popular Indo-Chinese dish that combines the goodness of paneer (cottage cheese) with spicy and tangy flavors. It is a perfect blend of Chinese seasoning and Indian spices, making it a mouth-watering dish that has taken the world by storm. In this blog post, we will explore the history, types, and variations of Chilli Paneer, along with step-by-step instructions on how to make both the dry and gravy versions. So, let’s get started!
Chilli Paneer History & Origin:
Chilli Paneer has its roots in Indo-Chinese cuisine, a fusion of Indian and Chinese culinary traditions. The dish was first introduced in the 1970s by Chinese immigrants living in Kolkata, India, who wanted to cater to the Indian palate. Over the years, the dish gained popularity and spread throughout India, and now it is a staple in many Indian restaurants and households.
Chilli Paneer Types & Variations:
Chilli Paneer can be made in two variations, dry and gravy, depending on personal preferences. The dry version is crispy and coated with a spicy sauce, while the gravy version is saucy and served with rice or noodles. Some of the popular variations of Chilli Paneer include:
- Schezwan Chilli Paneer
- Honey Chilli Paneer
- Mushroom Chilli Paneer
- Tandoori Chilli Paneer
- Chilli Paneer Frankie
Chilli Paneer Recipe:
Chilli Paneer Ingredients: (4 Servings)
For the paneer marinade:
- 250 g paneer, cut into cubes
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp red chilli powder (Use Mathania Chilli Powder)
For the sauce:
- 2 tbsp oil (Use Healthy Cold Pressed Oils)
- 1 tbsp garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger, finely chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 capsicum, diced
- 2 green chillies, chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp red chilli sauce
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- Spring onions, chopped for garnish
Instructions:
- In a bowl, add paneer cubes, cornflour, salt, and red chilli powder. Mix well and keep aside for 10-15 minutes.
- In a pan, heat oil and add garlic and ginger. Saute for a minute.
- Add diced onions and fry until translucent.
- Add diced capsicum and chopped green chillies. Fry for a minute.
- Add tomato ketchup, soy sauce, red chilli sauce, vinegar, salt, and sugar. Mix well.
- Add 1/4 cup of water and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add the marinated paneer cubes and toss well until coated with the sauce.
- Garnish with chopped spring onions and serve hot.
Chilli Paneer Gravy Recipe:
Here’s a recipe for Chilli Paneer Gravy:
Ingredients:
- 250 grams paneer (cottage cheese), cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons cornflour
- Salt to taste
- Oil for frying
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 capsicum (green bell pepper), chopped
- 2 green chillies, chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon red chilli sauce
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornflour mixed with 1/4 cup water
- Spring onions, chopped for garnish
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix together the paneer cubes, cornflour, and salt. Add enough water to form a thick batter.
- Heat oil in a pan. Once the oil is hot, fry the paneer cubes until golden brown. Remove from the pan and keep aside.
- In the same pan, add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a few seconds. Add the chopped onions, capsicum, and green chillies. Sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables are cooked but still crunchy.
- Add tomato ketchup, soy sauce, red chilli sauce, vinegar, and water. Mix well and let the mixture come to a boil.
- Add the cornflour-water mixture to the pan and stir continuously until the gravy thickens.
- Add the fried paneer cubes to the gravy and mix well.
- Let the paneer cook in the gravy for a few minutes.
- Garnish with chopped spring onions and serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.
Enjoy your Chilli Paneer Gravy!
Chilli Paneer Dry Recipe:
Here’s a recipe for Chilli Paneer Dry:
Ingredients:
- 250 grams paneer (cottage cheese), cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons cornflour
- Salt to taste
- Oil for frying
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 capsicum (green bell pepper), chopped
- 2 green chillies, chopped
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon red chilli sauce
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- Spring onions, chopped for garnish
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix together the paneer cubes, cornflour, and salt. Add enough water to form a thick batter.
- Heat oil in a pan. Once the oil is hot, fry the paneer cubes until golden brown. Remove from the pan and keep aside.
- In the same pan, add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a few seconds. Add the chopped onions, capsicum, and green chillies. Sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables are cooked but still crunchy.
- Add soy sauce, red chilli sauce, and vinegar to the pan. Mix well.
- Add the fried paneer cubes to the pan and toss gently to coat the paneer cubes with the sauce.
- Garnish with chopped spring onions and serve hot as a snack or appetizer.
Enjoy your Chilli Paneer Dry!
Chilli Paneer Calories:
The calorie count for Chilli Paneer can vary depending on the specific ingredients used and the serving size, but here’s an approximate breakdown for one serving (assuming a serving size of around 100 grams):
- Paneer (cottage cheese) – 265 calories
- Cornflour – 25 calories
- Oil for frying – 120 calories (assuming 2 tablespoons)
- Onion – 10 calories (assuming a small onion)
- Capsicum (green bell pepper) – 10 calories (assuming half a medium capsicum)
- Green chillies – 5 calories (assuming 2 small chillies)
- Soy sauce – 5 calories (assuming 1 tablespoon)
- Red chilli sauce – 20 calories (assuming 1 tablespoon)
- Vinegar – 1 calorie (assuming 1 tablespoon)
- Spring onions – 5 calories (assuming 1 small stalk)
Total: Approximately 466 calories per serving
Please note that this is an estimate and the actual calorie count may vary depending on the specific ingredients used and the method of preparation.
Chilli Paneer Tips & Tricks:
Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind when making Chilli Paneer:
- Use firm and fresh paneer for best results. If the paneer is too soft or crumbly, it may break apart while frying or cooking.
- To make the paneer cubes crispy, coat them with cornflour before frying. This will help the paneer stay crispy and absorb less oil.
- Be careful not to over-fry the paneer cubes, as they can become hard and rubbery. Fry them until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- To make the gravy thicker, mix cornflour with water and add it to the gravy while cooking. This will help thicken the sauce and give it a smoother texture.
- Adjust the amount of green chillies, red chilli sauce, and vinegar according to your taste preference. If you prefer a spicier dish, you can add more chillies or sauce.
- You can also add other vegetables like carrots, broccoli, or mushrooms to the dish for added nutrition and flavor.
- Garnish with chopped spring onions for a fresh and vibrant finish.
- Serve Chilli Paneer hot with steamed rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.
Hope these tips and tricks help you make a delicious and flavorful Chilli Paneer!
In conclusion, Chilli Paneer is a popular Indo-Chinese dish made with paneer (cottage cheese) and a spicy sauce. It can be made in both dry and gravy forms, and is a great option for a vegetarian or paneer-loving crowd.
The recipe for Chilli Paneer involves coating paneer cubes in cornflour and frying them until crispy, before tossing them in a spicy sauce made with soy sauce, red chilli sauce, and vinegar. Adding vegetables like onions, capsicum, and green chillies can enhance the flavor and nutrition of the dish.
Following the tips and tricks mentioned above can help ensure that your Chilli Paneer turns out perfectly crispy, spicy, and delicious!