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Chili paneer is a popular Indo-Chinese dish consisting of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) stir-fried with onions, bell peppers, and spicy sauces. It is very easy to make and takes less than 15 minutes to come together.
Back in the day, as Chinese immigrants settled in different parts of India, they brought along their food and culture. Meanwhile, Indian cooks decided to blend the chinese flavors with the ever-evolving Indian cuisine. And thus, Indo- Chinese fusion dishes were born, Chili Paneer being one of the first.
Ingredients
For prepping paneer:
Paneer, soy sauce, chili sauce, ginger-garlic paste, vinegar, sugar, salt to taste
For making cornflour slurry:
Cornflour, water
For stir-frying:
Onion, capsicum (bell pepper), green chilies, soy sauce, chili sauce, tomato ketchup, oil
For garnish:
Green onion, sesame seeds
Recipe Instructions
Prepping Paneer:
- Start by marinating the paneer cubes in a mixture of half of the soy sauce, chili sauce(save the rest for later), ginger-garlic paste, vinegar, sugar, and salt. Let it marinate for at least 15-20 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a pan and shallow fry the marinated paneer cubes until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
Making cornflour slurry:
- Mix cornflour with water and keep it aside. This will help thicken the sauce.
Stir-frying:
- In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed and sauté the diced onions, capsicum, and green chilies until they turn slightly soft.
- Add remaining soy sauce, chili sauce, and tomato ketchup to the vegetables. Stir well to combine.
- This is the time to add the fried paneer cubes to the pan. Toss gently to coat the paneer with the sauce.
- Garnish with chopped green onion and serve hot.
Serving suggestions
- Chili paneer pairs well with steamed rice or fried rice and also with stir-fried noodles, such as Hakka noodles or chow mein.
- For a healthier twist, pair chili paneer with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative that still offers great taste and texture.
- You can also serve chili paneer with a side of stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and snow peas for a nutritious and colorful meal.
Tips and Tricks
- To make the paneer cubes extra crispy, you can coat them with cornflour before frying.
- Adjust the amount of chili sauce and green chilies according to your spice preference.
- For a healthier version, you can bake the marinated paneer cubes instead of frying them.
- For a smoky flavor, you can grill the marinated paneer cubes instead of frying them.
- Customize your Chili Paneer by adding diced carrots, cabbage, or mushrooms for extra texture and flavor.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add a bit more cornflour slurry and simmer until desired consistency is reached.
Meal Prep tips
- You can prepare the marinade for the paneer ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. You can also make extra sauce and freeze it in small portions for future use.
- Chop the paneer, onions, bell peppers, and any other vegetables you plan to use ahead of time. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook. This will save you time during meal prep and streamline the cooking process.
- If you’re planning to meal prep chili paneer for multiple days, consider cooking it in batches. Cook a larger quantity of chili paneer at once and portion it out into meal-sized containers. This way, you’ll have ready-to-eat servings that can be easily reheated throughout the week, saving you time and effort each day.
FAQs
Q: Can I use tofu instead of Paneer?
A: Yes, tofu can be used as a substitute for paneer in this recipe for a vegan version of Chili Paneer.
Q: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
A: While Chili Paneer is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the ingredients in advance and quickly stir-fry them when ready to serve.
Q: Can I make Chili Paneer without onions and garlic?
A: Yes, you can omit onions and garlic from the recipe or replace them with alternatives like shallots or garlic-infused oil for a similar flavor profile.
Q: Is Chili Paneer suitable for meal prep?
A: Yes, Chili Paneer can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Simply reheat before serving.
Chili Paneer
Ingredients
For prepping paneer:
- 250 g paneer cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt to taste
for making cornflour slurry:
- 1 teaspoon cornflour
- 1/2 cup water
For stir-frying:
- 1 onion diced
- 1 capsicum bell pepper, diced
- 2-3 green chilies sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
- 1 tablespoon oil for frying and cooking
For garnish:
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
Prepping Paneer:
- Start by marinating the paneer cubes in a mixture of half of the soy sauce, chili sauce(save the rest for later), ginger-garlic paste, vinegar, sugar, and salt. Let it marinate for at least 15-20 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a pan and shallow fry the marinated paneer cubes until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
Making cornflour slurry:
- Mix cornflour with water and keep it aside.
Stir-frying:
- In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed and sauté the diced onions, capsicum, and green chilies until they turn slightly soft.
- Add remaining soy sauce, chili sauce, and tomato ketchup to the vegetables. Stir well to combine.
- This is the time to add the fried paneer cubes to the pan. Toss gently to coat the paneer with the sauce.
Garnish:
- Garnish with chopped green onion and sesame seeds. Serve hot.
Notes
- Chili paneer pairs well with steamed rice or fried rice and also with stir-fried noodles, such as Hakka noodles or chow mein.
- For a healthier twist, pair chili paneer with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative that still offers great taste and texture.
- You can also serve chili paneer with a side of stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and snow peas for a nutritious and colorful meal.
- To make the paneer cubes extra crispy, you can coat them with cornflour before frying.
- Adjust the amount of chili sauce and green chilies according to your spice preference.
- For a healthier version, you can bake the marinated paneer cubes instead of frying them.
- For a smoky flavor, you can grill the marinated paneer cubes instead of frying them.
- Customize your Chili Paneer by adding diced carrots, cabbage, or mushrooms for extra texture and flavor.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add a bit more cornflour slurry and simmer until desired consistency is reached.
- You can prepare the marinade for the paneer ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. You can also make extra sauce and freeze it in small portions for future use.
- Chop the paneer, onions, bell peppers, and any other vegetables you plan to use ahead of time. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook. This will save you time during meal prep and streamline the cooking process.
- If you’re planning to meal prep chili paneer for multiple days, consider cooking it in batches. Cook a larger quantity of chili paneer at once and portion it out into meal-sized containers. This way, you’ll have ready-to-eat servings that can be easily reheated throughout the week, saving you time and effort each day.
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @amusingcooker on Instagram and hashtag it #amusingcooker.