Chilly Chicken (Serves 4)

Chilly chicken is yet another Indo-chinese delicacy which makes us drool over its rich flavor and taste. Once exclusive to the restaurants, these dishes have slowly sneaked into the common household menu.... Here is a simple yet delicious variant of this ever popular dish........

For the batter

All purpose flour ½ cup
Corn flour 2 TBSP
Chilly powder ½ tsp
Black pepper powder ½ tsps
Soy sauce 1 tsp
Tomato sauce 1 tsp
Green chilly sauce a splash
Egg 1 no (optional)
Salt as needed
Water as needed to make a thick batter

Preparation

Mix together all purpose flour, corn flour, chilly powder and pepper powder in a medium size bowl. Add salt as needed, and egg to this. Now add in all the sauces and make a thick, no lumpy batter by adding water, little at a time. Keep aside.

For the chicken

Boneless chicken 1 lb
Red Onions 2 medium (diced)
Green chillies 4 to 5 nos, cut diagonally
Ginger 1 tsp, chopped
Garlic 1 tsp, chopped
Whole red chilly 2 nos
Black pepper powder ½ tsp
Soy sauce 5 TBSP
Tomato sauce 2-3 TBSP
Green chilly sauce 1 tsp
Red chilly sauce 1 tsp
Corn flour 1 TBSP (mixed with ½ cup of water)
Water ½ cup
Salt as needed
Oil for deep frying + to sauté

Preparation

Cut the chicken to medium bite size pieces and mix with the batter. Allow this to marinate for about an hour in the refrigerator.

Heat (med-high) oil and deep fry the chicken pieces until they attain a red color and keep aside. Combine all the sauces in a bowl and set aside.

Heat 2 TBSP oil in a wok and add the whole red chilly and onions. Sauté onions until soft. Add the green chillies, ginger and garlic one by one and sauté for another few minutes. Add salt and pepper powder and cook for 1 minute. Now add the sauce mix followed by water. Allow this to come to a rolling boil. Add the corn flour dissolved in ½ cup water to this. Lower the flame to low-med and add in the fried chicken pieces. Let it simmer for 10 minutes covered. Combine well until the chicken is coated with sauce and then take off from the stove. Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy this delicious chilly chicken with any kind of rice or parotta or even with chappathi….

Tips

Try boned chicken for boneless. Chicken thighs will be best for chilly chicken.
Add in chopped carrots along with red onions for a vibrant color.