🔥 Schezwan Paneer Recipe | Spicy Indo-Chinese Paneer Stir Fry

Craving a bold, spicy, and tangy Indo-Chinese dish? This Schezwan Paneer recipe is a must-try! Made with crispy paneer cubes tossed in a fiery Schezwan sauce, sautéed vegetables, and classic Chinese flavors, this recipe is perfect for parties, appetizers, or even as a spicy main course. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly delicious — a hit for weeknight dinners, special occasions, or as a starter for house parties.

Whether you’re a fan of spicy food or just love Chinese paneer dishes, this Schezwan-style paneer is the ideal choice for your next meal.

🧾 Ingredients for Schezwan Paneer (Serves 2-3)

For Paneer Coating:

• Paneer – 250g (cut into cubes)

• Cornflour – 2 tbsp

• All-purpose flour (maida) – 1 tbsp

• Salt – to taste

• Black pepper – ½ tsp

• Water – as required to make a thick batter

• Oil – for shallow frying

For the Sauce:

• Garlic – 1 tbsp, finely chopped

• Ginger – 1 tsp, finely chopped

• Spring onion (white part) – 2 tbsp, chopped

• Onion – 1 small, sliced

• Capsicum – ½ cup, diced (use red, green, or yellow)

• Schezwan sauce – 3 tbsp (adjust to taste)

• Soy sauce – 1 tsp

• Vinegar – 1 tsp

• Tomato ketchup – 1 tbsp

• Salt – to taste

• Black pepper – ¼ tsp

• Spring onion greens – for garnish

• Oil – 1 tbsp

👨‍🍳 Make Schezwan Paneer – Step-by-Step

🔹 Step 1: Prepare Paneer

1. In a mixing bowl, combine cornflour, all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, and enough water to make a thick batter.

2. Add paneer cubes and coat them well in the batter.

3. Heat oil in a pan and shallow-fry the paneer until golden brown and crispy.

4. Remove on a paper towel and set aside.

✅ You can air fry or bake paneer for a healthier version of this spicy paneer dish.

🔹 Step 2: Make the Schezwan Sauce Base

1. In a wok or kadai, heat 1 tbsp oil.

2. Add chopped garlic and ginger, and sauté until aromatic.

3. Add spring onion whites, sliced onions, and diced capsicum.

4. Stir-fry on high heat for 2–3 minutes to retain crunchiness.

🔹 Step 3: Add Sauces

1. Lower the flame and add Schezwan sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, and ketchup.

2. Mix well and cook for 1 minute. Add 2 tbsp of water if the sauce is too thick.

3. Season with salt and pepper.

🔹 Step 4: Toss Paneer in Sauce

1. Add the fried paneer cubes to the sauce and gently toss until well coated.

2. Stir-fry on high flame for 2–3 minutes so the sauce clings well to the paneer.

🔹 Step 5: Garnish & Serve

1. Turn off the heat and garnish with chopped spring onion greens.

2. Serve hot immediately.

🍽️ Serve it as a dry starter or convert into a gravy by adding cornflour slurry and vegetable stock.

🎯 Best Occasions to Serve Schezwan Paneer

• Party Starter: An excellent dry paneer appetizer for guests.

• Weekend Indulgence: Pair with fried rice or Hakka noodles for a full Indo-Chinese spread.

• Game Night Snack: Spicy, finger-licking, and perfect for munching.

• Festivals & Potlucks: Eye-catching and crowd-pleasing.

• Rainy Day Treat: Pair with hot soup for cozy comfort food.

• School/College Snacks: Loved by teens and college-goers alike.

📊 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approximate)

🧀 For a lower-calorie version, use tofu instead of paneer and bake instead of frying.

🧠 Pro Tips for Best Schezwan Paneer

• Always fry paneer on medium-high heat for crispy texture.

• Don’t overcook the vegetables – they should stay crunchy.

• Adjust the Schezwan sauce depending on your spice tolerance.

• For extra flavor, add celery or chopped green chili while sautéing.

🌱 Vegan Version

• Replace paneer with tofu for a vegan Schezwan paneer version.

• Use gluten-free soy sauce and sauces if required.

❓ FAQ – Schezwan Paneer

Q1: Can I use store-bought Schezwan sauce?
Yes! You can use any good quality store-bought brand or make it at home.

Q2: Is this dish spicy?
Yes, it is medium to high in spice level. You can reduce the Schezwan sauce quantity for a milder taste.

Q3: Can I turn this into a gravy dish?
Absolutely. Just add 1 cup of water and a cornflour slurry to make Schezwan Paneer Gravy.

Q4: Can this be made ahead of time?
Fry paneer and prep vegetables in advance. Stir-fry everything fresh just before serving.

📝 Interesting Facts

This Schezwan Paneer recipe is the perfect combination of heat, tang, and flavor — making it one of the best Indo-Chinese paneer dishes out there. Whether you’re serving it as an appetizer for your next party or enjoying it with vegetable fried rice, it’s sure to spice things up.

If you’re looking for a restaurant-style Schezwan paneer that’s easy to recreate at home, this is your go-to recipe.