🌶️ Chilli Chicken Recipe | Indo-Chinese Chilli Chicken at Home

Chilli Chicken is one of the most iconic and popular dishes in Indo-Chinese cuisine. With its spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor profile, it’s a favorite starter at restaurants and street stalls across India. Whether dry or with gravy, this crispy chicken dish pairs beautifully with fried rice, Hakka noodles, or as a spicy appetizer.

🛒 Ingredients for Chilli Chicken

🍗 For Marinating Chicken:

• Boneless chicken – 500g (cut into bite-sized cubes)

• Cornflour – 3 tbsp

• All-purpose flour (maida) – 2 tbsp

• Ginger garlic paste – 1 tbsp

• Red chili powder – 1 tsp

• Black pepper – ½ tsp

• Salt – to taste

• Egg – 1 (optional, for crispiness)

• Water – as needed to make thick batter

• Oil – for deep frying

🥬 For Sauce:

• Oil – 1.5 tbsp

• Garlic – 1 tbsp (finely chopped)

• Ginger – 1 tsp (finely chopped)

• Green chilies – 2 (slit or chopped)

• Onion – 1 (cubed)

• Capsicum – 1 (cubed)

• Soy sauce – 1 tbsp

• Red chili sauce – 1 tbsp

• Green chili sauce – 1 tsp

• Tomato ketchup – 1 tbsp

• Vinegar – 1 tsp

• Cornflour slurry – 1 tsp cornflour mixed in 2 tbsp water (for gravy version)

• Spring onion greens – 2 tbsp (for garnish)

• Salt and pepper – to taste

👨‍🍳 Make Chilli Chicken – Step-by-Step Instructions

🔹 Step 1: Marinate & Fry the Chicken

1. In a mixing bowl, combine chicken, cornflour, maida, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, pepper, salt, and egg.

2. Add water to make a thick coating batter.

3. Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden and crispy.

4. Drain on paper towels.

✅ Crispy chicken is the heart of this dish. Make sure oil is medium-hot to cook them evenly and keep them juicy inside.

🔹 Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

1. Heat 1.5 tbsp oil in a wok. Add chopped garlic, ginger, and green chilies. Sauté until aromatic.

2. Add cubed onions and capsicum. Stir-fry on high heat for 2–3 minutes to retain the crunch.

3. Add soy sauce, chili sauces, ketchup, and vinegar. Mix well.

4. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

5. For gravy version: add cornflour slurry and cook until sauce thickens slightly.

6. Add fried chicken pieces. Toss well so they are coated evenly with sauce.

7. Garnish with spring onion greens.

📝 You can control spice level by adjusting the chili sauce and green chilies.

🍽 Best Occasions to Serve Chilli Chicken

• Weekend Dinner – Paired with fried rice or noodles.

• Party Appetizer – A showstopper starter at gatherings.

• Tiffin or Lunchbox Special – Delicious even when packed.

• Game Night Snack – Crunchy, spicy bites everyone loves.

• Festive Celebrations – Great for Holi, Diwali, or birthdays.

📦 Storage Tips

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 1–2 days.

• Reheat in a pan with a splash of water to retain moisture.

• Fried chicken pieces (before adding sauce) can be frozen for up to 2 weeks.

📊 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approx. 200g)

🥗 To make it healthier, skip deep-frying and air-fry or bake the chicken pieces instead.

💡 Tips & Variations

• Crispier Version: Double fry the chicken for extra crunch.

• Chilli Chicken Dry: Skip cornflour slurry and keep the sauce thick and minimal.

• Chilli Chicken Gravy: Add more slurry and ½ cup water for a saucy version.

• Add Heat: Use Schezwan sauce or crushed red pepper for spicy chilli chicken.

• Use Bone-In Chicken: Though boneless is preferred, bone-in chicken works too for rustic flavor.

• Make it Healthier: Stir-fry chicken instead of deep frying.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I make chilli chicken without egg?
Yes. Egg helps make it crisp, but it’s optional. You can increase cornflour for similar results.

Q2: Can I use air fryer instead of deep frying?
Absolutely! Air fry at 180°C for 15–20 minutes until crisp, turning halfway.

Q3: Is chilli chicken spicy?
Yes, it’s mildly to moderately spicy. Adjust chili sauce and green chilies per taste.

Q4: What’s the difference between dry and gravy chilli chicken?
Dry is served as an appetizer, gravy version has sauce and goes well with rice/noodles.

📝 Interesting Facts

This Chilli Chicken Recipe delivers the same taste you’d expect from your favorite restaurant-style Indo-Chinese dish, right in your home kitchen. Crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and bursting with bold flavors, it’s the ultimate chicken dish to satisfy your spicy cravings. Whether you’re looking for an easy chicken dinner, street food-style starter, or weekend indulgence, this is one recipe you’ll want to save and repeat.

Serve it hot with Hakka noodles, fried rice, or enjoy it solo as a fiery snack.