Chilli Paneer Recipe | Restaurant Style Dry & Gravy
📄 Download the Printable Chilli Paneer Recipe (PDF). Perfect for saving or offline cooking.
Are you searching for the perfect chilli paneer recipe? You have landed in the exact right spot. This complete guide shows you how to make chilli paneer at home. You can learn to cook it dry for snacks. You can also make it with rich gravy for dinner. This dish tastes just like your favourite takeout order. Many people love ordering this meal at restaurants. Now, you can master this popular dish in your own kitchen. You will save money. You will also control the fresh food items. Let us start cooking this amazing meal today.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You will love this chilli paneer recipe for many reasons. First, the cooking steps are very easy to follow. You do not need professional kitchen skills. You can easily change the spice level to fit your personal taste. Make it extra hot or keep it very mild. You get a perfect stir fry texture every time. You skip the heavy grease of deep fried takeout food. Home cooking brings fresh flavours straight to your dinner table. This recipe uses simple items from your local grocery store. You can feed your whole family a great meal quickly. You will feel proud of your cooking.
Ingredients for Chilli Paneer (Dry and Gravy)
You need basic items for this delicious meal. Fresh items yield the best flavour. Gather these items before you turn on the stove.
| Ingredient Type | Item Needed | Purpose in Recipe |
| Main Protein | Fresh Paneer Cheese | Provides a soft, mild base |
| Fresh Veggies | Bell Peppers & Onions | Adds crunch and natural sweetness |
| Thickener | Corn Flour / Cornstarch | Creates a crispy coat and thick sauce |
| Liquid Base | Soy Sauce & Water | Adds dark colour and deep flavour |
| Spices | Salt, Pepper, Sugar | Balances the hot and tangy tastes |
For the Paneer
Buy fresh, firm paneer cheese from the dairy aisle. Cut it into equal cubes. Equal sizes help the cheese cook at the exact same time. Fresh paneer stays very soft inside when you cook it. Do not buy stale or hard cheese blocks.
For the Vegetables
Use bright green, red, and yellow bell peppers. They add a sweet crunch to the dish. Dice fresh white onions into large squares. You also need fresh green chilies for heat. Fresh spring onions make a great garnish at the very end.
For the Sauce/Marinade
The sauce needs rich, dark soya sauce. Add some spicy green chilli sauce. Put in a bit of sharp garlic sauce. Use cornstarch or corn flour to thicken the liquid mix. A splash of white vinegar adds a nice sour kick. You can also use plain apple cider vinegar. Some cooks add a tiny spoon of mild curry sauce for a different taste.
Spices and Seasonings
Keep your spice list very simple. You need standard table salt and crushed black pepper. Add a small pinch of white sugar. The sugar balances the salt and spicy heat perfectly.
How to Make Chilli Paneer Step by Step
Follow these exact steps to learn how to make chilli paneer recipe perfectly. Preparation matters most in this recipe.
Preparing and Marinating the Paneer
First, use a clean paper towel to pat the cheese dry. Wet cheese will not fry well. Toss the dry cubes in a large glass bowl. Add dark soy sauce, black pepper, and corn flour. Mix them gently with your clean hands. The starch coating must be very thin. Let the bowl sit on the counter for ten minutes.
Coating and Frying the Paneer
Many home cooks ask how to fry paneer for chilli paneer. Heat clean canola oil in a wide frying pan. Wait until the oil is very hot. Place the coated cubes carefully into the hot oil. Fry them until they turn a dark golden brown. Remove the fried paneer with a metal slotted spoon. Place the hot cubes on a clean paper towel.
Making the Chilli Paneer Sauce
Heat one spoon of cooking oil in a large wok. Add finely chopped garlic, fresh ginger, and green chilies. Cook these strong spices for exactly one minute. Add the diced onions and bell peppers to the wok. Stir fry them on high heat for two minutes. Add the soya sauce, chilli sauce, and a splash of cold water.
Tossing Everything Together
Mix one spoon of cornstarch with cold water in a cup. Pour this white slurry into the hot wok. The thin sauce will bubble and thicken very quickly. Drop the crispy cheese cubes into the thick sauce. Toss the pan well to coat all the chilli paneer ingredients. Top the warm pan with fresh chopped spring onions.
Chilli Paneer Dry vs Gravy – What’s the Difference?
You can serve this amazing dish in two different ways. Both styles taste great. Choose the cooking style that fits your meal plan today.
How to Make Dry Chilli Paneer
Dry chilli paneer uses very little water. The thick sauce clings tightly to the fried cheese cubes. You use less liquid and less cornstarch slurry. This cooking method creates a sticky, flavourful coating. It makes a great finger food for weekend game nights. It serves well as a party snack on small plates.
How to Make Chilli Paneer Gravy
Chilli paneer gravy has a lot of rich, dark sauce. You must add two full cups of water or vegetable broth. You also double the cornstarch slurry amount. This thickens the extra liquid perfectly. This wet version pairs beautifully with hot steamed rice. It also tastes amazing poured over soft wheat noodles.
Pro Tips for Restaurant Style Chilli Paneer
Do you want that exact restaurant style chilli paneer taste? Try these expert cooking tips in your own kitchen.
How to Get Crispy Paneer Every Time
Do not overcrowd your frying pan. Leave empty space between the cheese cubes. Fry them on medium-high heat. A double fry method adds extreme crunch. Fry them once, let them cool down, and fry them again.
How to Fry Paneer for Chilli Paneer
Use a shallow pan fry method to save cooking oil. Turn the cheese cubes often with metal kitchen tongs. Watch them closely so they do not turn black and burn. Quick frying keeps the inside melting soft.
Best Sauces to Use
Buy high-quality, premium dark soy sauce. A premium garlic sauce heavily boosts the main flavour. You can even try a tiny dash of chili crisp recipe oil. This adds a fun, modern 2026 flavour twist to the meal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not overcook the fresh bell peppers. They absolutely must stay loud and crunchy. Do not boil the soy sauce mixture for too long. Overcooking makes the sauce a thick, sticky paste.
Variations of Chilli Paneer
You can easily change this paneer chilli recipe. Adapt the food to fit your personal diet needs.
Street Style Chilli Paneer
Street style chilli paneer uses extra chopped green chilies. Cooks use extreme high heat for a deep smoky flavour. Food carts across Nepal and India serve this hot version daily. Try exploring most popular Nepali street foods to learn more great ideas.
Healthy Air Fryer Chilli Paneer
In 2026, smart air frying is a massive cooking trend. Coat the dry cubes with a light cooking oil spray. Air fry the cheese at 400 degrees for eight exact minutes. This modern method cuts down on heavy oil and daily calories.
Chilli Paneer Without Frying
You can simply pan-roast the fresh cheese cubes. Use a good non-stick pan and three drops of olive oil. It is a much lighter way to enjoy the heavy dish. The cheese edges still get a nice brown colour.
Vegan Chilli Paneer with Tofu
Swap the dairy paneer for extra firm soy tofu. Press all the water out of the tofu block first. The rest of the recipe directions stay the exact same. This makes the meal completely plant-based.
What to Serve with Chilli Paneer
You have many tasty options for serving this meal. Build a great dinner plate with these food ideas. Explore the full restaurant menu for more great meal pairings.
As an Appetizer
Serve the dry version on a large wooden platter. Provide small wooden toothpicks for your dinner guests. Pair the hot food with a cold, fizzy drink. It matches very well with authentic sekuwa for a complete party setup.
As a Main Course
Serve the wet gravy version over fresh vegetable fried rice. The rich sauce soaks right into the plain white rice. It also tastes great mixed with long Hakka noodles. If your family likes meat, check out these best chicken dishes. A spicy chilli chicken pairs perfectly with this vegetarian side dish.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store your dinner leftovers in a glass box with a tight lid. Keep the box in your cold fridge for up to three days. Reheat the food in a flat pan on very low heat. Add a tiny splash of tap water to wake up the thick sauce. Try to avoid using a microwave. Microwaves often make the soft cheese rubbery and hard to chew. Fresh cooking is always best, but leftovers still taste great.
FAQs About Chilli Paneer
Voice search tools often bring up these common questions in 2026. Read these fast answers to learn more.
What is chilli paneer made of?
It contains firm cheese cubes, diced bell peppers, and white onions. The dark sauce uses soy sauce, vinegar, and hot chilli paste.
How many calories in chilli paneer?
One standard serving has about 300 to 400 calories. This number changes based on your cooking oil and added sugar amounts.
How to prepare chilli paneer?
First, you coat and lightly fry the cheese. Next, you cook fresh vegetables in a hot pan. Finally, you mix them with a thick soy-based liquid.
How to cook paneer chilli?
Always cook paneer chilli in a very hot metal wok. High heat gives the dish a nice smoky street food taste.
How to cut onions for chilli paneer?
Cut the raw onions into thick, wide square petals. Pull the tight layers apart with your hands before cooking them.
Can I make chilli paneer without corn flour?
Yes, you absolutely can. You can use arrowroot powder or standard potato starch. They thicken the wet sauce just like corn flour does.
How to make chilli paneer in an air fryer?
Toss the cheese cubes in light oil and starch powder. Air fry them at 400 degrees for eight fast minutes. Toss them in your cooked pan sauce.