Crispy Chicken Manchurian: Indo-Chinese Appetizer Recipe

Chicken Manchurian Recipe

Cuisine: Indo-Chinese
Course: Appetizer
Diet: High Protein, Non-Vegetarian
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 65 minutes

This flavorful Chicken Manchurian recipe combines tender pieces of chicken coated in a crispy batter, then simmered in a rich and spicy gravy. Inspired by Indo-Chinese cuisine, this dish is perfect as an appetizer or paired with Hakka Noodles or Chinese Vegetable Fried Rice for a complete meal. Let’s dive into this delicious, high-protein, and mouthwatering dish!

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken:

   • In a large mixing bowl, break the whole egg and add 2 tablespoons of corn flour, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, and a pinch of salt. Whisk everything together until you have a smooth marinade.
   • Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the marinade and toss them until each piece is fully coated.
   • Set the marinated chicken aside for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to infuse.

2. Fry the Chicken:

   • Heat 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil in a skillet or frying pan over medium heat.
   • Once the oil is hot, lower the heat to medium-low and add the marinated chicken pieces to the pan.
   • Fry the chicken until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside. This should take about 7-10 minutes.
   • Once fried, remove the chicken from the skillet and drain any excess oil by placing them on a paper towel.

3. Prepare the Chicken Manchurian Sauce:

   • In a mixing bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of corn flour, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 3 tablespoons red chilli sauce, 1/4 cup homemade tomato puree, 1 teaspoon chilli vinegar, and 1 cup of water.
   • Whisk the ingredients together until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps. The sauce is now ready to be added to the wok.

4. Cook the Gravy:

   • Heat 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil in a wok or large pan over medium heat.
   • Once the oil is hot, add the finely chopped garlic and grated ginger. Sauté them for about 1-2 minutes until they become fragrant and soft.
   • Add the chopped spring onion greens and sauté for another 30 seconds.
   • Next, toss in the thinly sliced onions and green bell peppers (capsicum), and cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn translucent and the peppers soften.
   • Add the chopped green chillies and sauté for another minute, allowing the chillies to infuse their pungency into the dish.

5. Combine the Sauce and Chicken:

   • Now, pour the prepared Chicken Manchurian sauce mixture into the wok and bring to a simmer. Let the sauce cook for 3-4 minutes until it begins to thicken.
   • Add the fried chicken pieces to the wok and toss gently to coat the chicken in the sauce. Ensure that each piece is well-covered in the flavorful gravy.
   • Let the chicken simmer in the gravy for an additional 5-7 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally to keep the sauce evenly distributed. Taste the dish and adjust seasoning if needed (add more salt, soy sauce, or chili sauce as per your preference).

6. Garnish and Serve:

   • Once the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the gravy has thickened to your liking, turn off the heat.
   • Garnish the Chicken Manchurian with freshly chopped spring onion greens for an added burst of color and flavor.
   • Serve hot, alongside steamed Hakka Noodles or Chinese Vegetable Fried Rice for a complete meal experience.

Tips for the Perfect Chicken Manchurian:

• Marinating Time: Marinating the chicken for at least an hour helps the flavors penetrate the meat, ensuring a tender and flavorful bite.
• Frying: For an extra crispy texture, fry the chicken pieces in batches and avoid overcrowding the pan.
• Adjusting Spice Levels: Feel free to adjust the amount of green chilies, red chili sauce, and chilli vinegar according to your spice preference. For a milder version, reduce the chili ingredients.
• Homemade Tomato Puree: Using homemade tomato puree enhances the depth of flavor in the sauce. However, you can also use store-bought puree if you’re short on time.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Chicken Manchurian is a deliciously spicy and savory dish that offers a great balance of flavors from the crispy chicken, the tangy sauce, and the fresh vegetables. Perfect for a weekend treat or a special occasion, this dish will definitely satisfy your cravings for Indo-Chinese cuisine! Enjoy!