Chilli Chicken is a popular Indo-Chinese dish that seamlessly blends Chinese techniques with Indian flavors. This dish is a staple in Indian Chinese cuisine, known for its spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor profile. Whether served dry as an appetizer or with gravy as a main course, Chilli Chicken is beloved for its bold flavors and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
To prepare Chilli Chicken, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Chicken: 500 grams, boneless and cut into bite-sized pieces
- Marinade:
- Soy Sauce: 2 tablespoons
- Vinegar: 1 tablespoon
- Ginger-Garlic Paste: 1 tablespoon
- Cornflour: 2 tablespoons
- Salt: to taste
- Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
- For Frying:
- Oil: for deep frying
- For the Sauce:
- Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic: 5-6 cloves, finely chopped
- Ginger: 1-inch piece, finely chopped
- Green Chilies: 2-3, slit
- Onion: 1 large, cubed
- Bell Peppers: 1 red and 1 green, cubed
- Soy Sauce: 2 tablespoons
- Red Chili Sauce: 2 tablespoons
- Tomato Ketchup: 2 tablespoons
- Vinegar: 1 tablespoon
- Cornflour: 1 tablespoon, mixed with 2 tablespoons of water
- Salt: to taste
- Sugar: 1/2 teaspoon
- Garnish:
- Spring Onions: 2, chopped
- Sesame Seeds: 1 teaspoon (optional)
Preparation,Chilli Chicken
- Marinating the Chicken: Start by marinating the chicken pieces in soy sauce, vinegar, ginger-garlic paste, cornflour, salt, and pepper. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes. This not only infuses the chicken with flavor but also helps to tenderize it.
- Frying the Chicken: Heat oil in a deep frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, deep fry the marinated chicken pieces until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to get rid of excess oil.
- Preparing the Sauce: In another pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the finely chopped garlic, ginger, and slit green chilies. Sauté until fragrant and slightly browned.
- Adding Vegetables: Add the cubed onions and bell peppers to the pan. Stir-fry on high heat for a few minutes, keeping the vegetables crunchy.
- Creating the Sauce Base: Add soy sauce, red chili sauce, tomato ketchup, and vinegar. Mix well and cook for a couple of minutes until the sauces are well combined and bubbling.
- Thickening the Sauce: Pour in the cornflour slurry (cornflour mixed with water) and stir continuously until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Adjust the seasoning with salt and sugar.
- Combining Chicken and Sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces to the pan and toss them in the sauce, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Garnishing: Garnish with chopped spring onions and, if desired, a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
Serving Suggestions, Chilli Chicken
Chilli Chicken is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. As an appetizer, serve it dry with toothpicks or skewers. For a main course, serve it with steamed rice, fried rice, or noodles. It pairs wonderfully with other Indo-Chinese dishes like Hakka noodles, Manchurian, or fried rice.
Conclusion
Chilli Chicken is a quintessential dish in Indo-Chinese cuisine, offering a perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and savory flavors. Its vibrant colors and bold flavors make it a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. Whether you prefer it dry or with gravy, Chilli Chicken is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. Embrace this culinary fusion and enjoy the delicious harmony of Indian and Chinese flavors in every bite.Chilli Chicken is a popular Indo-Chinese dish featuring crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce, stir-fried with bell peppers and onions. Perfect as an appetizer or main course, it’s a crowd-pleaser.