A bold, spicy, and flavorful Indo-Chinese dish featuring soft paneer tossed in a fiery chili garlic sauce — perfect as a starter, side, or main with fried rice or noodles.
Origin Chili Garlic (Homemade) Paneer
This fusion favorite is rooted in Indian-Chinese cuisine, a beloved culinary style born in Kolkata that blends traditional Chinese flavors with Indian spices and ingredients like paneer.
What I Love About This Recipe
It’s got the perfect balance of heat, tang, and umami — plus, making your own paneer takes the flavor and texture to the next level!
Also Read : Blackened Salmon Tacos with Chunky Mango Avocado Salsa
Chili Garlic (Homemade) Paneer
Course: Recipes4
servings30
minutes40
minutes471
kcalIngredients
1 liter whole milk
2 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
Cheesecloth/muslin for straining
1 tbsp oil
5–6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2–3 dried red chilies, crushed
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 green chili, slit (optional for extra heat)
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp chili sauce
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp sugar
¼ tsp black pepper
Salt, to taste
1 tsp cornstarch mixed in 2 tbsp water (slurry)
Spring onions, chopped (for garnish)
Directions
- Bring milk to a boil. Once it starts bubbling, reduce heat and add lemon juice slowly while stirring.
- When the milk curdles, turn off the heat. Strain through a muslin cloth and rinse with cold water.
- Tie the cloth and press under a weight for 30–40 minutes. Cut into cubes once firm.
- Heat oil in a pan. Add garlic, dried chilies, and green chili. Sauté until aromatic.
- Add onions and sauté until translucent.
- Stir in soy sauce, chili sauce, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Add the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Gently toss in the paneer cubes, coating them well in the sauce.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes until heated through.
- Garnish with spring onions and serve hot.
Notes
- Use store-bought paneer for convenience, but homemade is fresher and softer.
- Adjust chili sauce and garlic to your spice preference.
- Pairs great with fried rice, noodles, or naan!
