Sep 03 2026

Chili Panner (g) Recipe

Time35m
Serves3

Lightly fried panner tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce with onions, bell peppers and cilantro.

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Paneer

Method

Paneer

  1. 1

    Prepare paneer

    Cut paneer into 1-inch cubes. If using store-bought, pat dry with paper towels so pieces are not soggy.

  2. 2

    Make batter

    In a bowl combine cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add about 3 tablespoons water gradually and mix to make a thick, smooth batter that coats the back of a spoon. Batter should be slightly thicker than pancake batter.

  3. 3

    Coat and fry

    Heat about 100 ml oil in a wide frying pan over medium heat for shallow frying. Dip each paneer cube in the batter to coat evenly, then carefully place into the hot oil. Fry in batches for 2–3 minutes per side or until golden and slightly crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Keep warm. (Alternatively, for less oil, you may shallow-fry for 1–2 min per side or bake at 200°C/400°F for 10–12 minutes, turning once.)

Sauce & Vegetables

  1. 4

    Prep vegetables and sauces

    Slice onion, bell peppers and spring onion whites into 1-inch pieces. Finely mince garlic and ginger. In a small bowl mix tomato ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, red chili sauce, sugar and black pepper; set aside. In another small cup combine 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water to make a slurry.

  2. 5

    Sauté aromatics

    Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add minced garlic, minced ginger and green chilies; stir-fry for 15–20 seconds until fragrant but not browned.

  3. 6

    Cook vegetables

    Add onion and the white parts of spring onion; stir-fry on high heat for 1 minute until edges start to soften but still crisp. Add green and red bell peppers and stir-fry for another 1–1.5 minutes. The vegetables should remain slightly crunchy for best texture.

  4. 7

    Add sauces

    Reduce heat to medium-high. Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the pan and stir to combine with vegetables. Add 60 ml water or vegetable stock to loosen the sauce. Taste and adjust salt or sweetness as needed.

  5. 8

    Thicken sauce

    Stir the cornstarch slurry again and slowly pour into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly. Cook for 30–45 seconds until the sauce thickens to a glossy coating that clings to the vegetables. If sauce becomes too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons water to reach desired consistency.

  6. 9

    Combine paneer

    Add the fried paneer cubes and the sliced spring onion greens to the wok. Toss gently but quickly for 30–45 seconds so the paneer is evenly coated with the sauce and warmed through. Be careful not to over-stir to avoid breaking the paneer cubes.

  7. 10

    Finish and serve

    Turn off heat. Sprinkle chopped cilantro (coriander) over the dish and give a final gentle toss. Transfer to a serving plate and serve immediately as a starter with lemon wedges or as part of a meal with fried rice or noodles.

More from Tandoori Oven- Finest Indian Cuisine