How to Make Chinese Chilli Chicken: A Step-by-Step Guide

Chinese Chilli Chicken is a popular and flavorful dish that combines crispy chicken with a spicy, tangy sauce. It’s a favorite at Chinese restaurants and a great addition to your home-cooked meals. If you love spicy food with a mix of sweetness and tanginess, this recipe is for you. Follow this detailed, easy-to-understand guide to make your own Chinese Chilli Chicken at home.

Ingredients

To make Chinese Chilli Chicken, you need the following ingredients:

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 500 grams of boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1 tablespoon of cornflour (cornstarch)
• 1 egg
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour (optional)

For the Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of tomato ketchup
• 1 tablespoon of chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon of sugar (optional, to balance the flavors)
• 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
• 1/2 cup of water (adjust for desired sauce consistency)
• 1 tablespoon of cornflour (mixed with water to make a slurry)

For Stir-Frying:

• 1 tablespoon of oil (vegetable or sesame oil works best)
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 4-5 green chilies, slit (adjust according to spice preference)
• 2 tablespoons of finely chopped spring onions (scallions)
• 2 tablespoons of chopped garlic
• 1 teaspoon of ginger, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparing the Chicken

Before you start making the sauce, it’s essential to prepare the chicken. Here’s how:

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

In a large bowl, add the chicken pieces. Then, add the soy sauce, vinegar, ginger-garlic paste, chili powder, cornflour, egg, salt, and all-purpose flour (optional). Mix the ingredients well until the chicken is evenly coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to soak into the chicken, making it more tender and flavorful.

Step 2: Fry the Chicken

Heat oil in a pan or wok on medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken pieces. Fry the chicken until they are golden brown and crispy. You can fry the chicken in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the pan. Once done, remove the chicken from the oil and set it aside on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Preparing the Sauce

Now it’s time to prepare the sauce for the Chilli Chicken. The sauce is what gives this dish its distinctive flavor.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, vinegar, tomato ketchup, chili sauce, sugar (if using), sesame oil, and water. Stir well to combine the ingredients. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the cornflour in a little water to make a slurry. This will help thicken the sauce later.

Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables

In a clean wok or frying pan, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped garlic and ginger, and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Next, add the sliced onions and bell peppers. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender but still crunchy. Add the green chilies and continue to cook for another minute.

Step 5: Combine Sauce and Chicken

Now, pour the prepared sauce mixture into the pan with the vegetables. Stir well and bring it to a simmer. Let the sauce cook for 1-2 minutes to blend the flavors together. Once the sauce is heated through, add the fried chicken pieces to the pan. Toss the chicken in the sauce so that each piece is well-coated.

Step 6: Thicken the Sauce

To thicken the sauce, add the cornflour slurry to the pan and stir well. Allow the sauce to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency. If you prefer a thinner sauce, you can add a little more water. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Final Touches

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Once the chicken is well-coated in the sauce and the sauce has thickened, sprinkle some chopped spring onions on top for a fresh, crunchy flavor. Serve the Chinese Chilli Chicken hot with steamed rice or noodles. It’s a perfect dish for a party, a casual dinner, or when you want to treat yourself to a flavorful homemade meal.

Tips for Perfect Chinese Chilli Chicken

Crispy Chicken: Ensure the chicken is fried until golden brown and crispy. The crispy texture adds a delicious contrast to the tangy sauce.

Adjust Spice Level: If you prefer less spice, you can reduce the number of green chilies or chili powder in the recipe.

Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots or baby corn to the stir-fry if you like more variety.

Cornflour: The cornflour helps to make the sauce thicker and glossy. Be careful not to add too much, as it can make the sauce too thick and gloopy.

Sweetness: Adjust the sugar in the sauce based on your personal preference. Some people like a sweeter Chilli Chicken, while others prefer it more savory and spicy.

Extra Flavor: You can also add a splash of rice wine or cooking wine for an extra depth of flavor.

Nutritional Information

Chinese Chilli Chicken is a flavorful and filling dish, but it can be quite rich due to the oil and fried chicken. Here’s an approximate breakdown of the nutritional content per serving:

Calories: Around 350-400 kcal (depending on the amount of oil used)

Protein: 25-30 grams (from the chicken)

Carbohydrates: 20-25 grams

Fat: 20-25 grams (due to the frying process)

Fiber: 2-3 grams (from vegetables)

While it’s a great dish to indulge in occasionally, you can make a healthier version by opting for air-fried or baked chicken instead of deep-frying. This reduces the amount of oil used, making the dish lighter.

Serving Suggestions

Chinese Chilli Chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. Here are some great options:

Steamed Rice: This is the classic pairing for Chinese Chilli Chicken. The steamed rice helps balance out the spiciness of the dish.

Noodles: Stir-fried noodles or plain boiled noodles are another great choice. They soak up the sauce and complement the flavors.

Roti or Naan: If you’re not in the mood for rice, roti or naan can be a good substitute, giving a more fusion-style meal.

Conclusion

Making Chinese Chilli Chicken at home is a fun and rewarding experience. With the right ingredients and a little effort, you can create this restaurant-style dish in your kitchen. The crispy chicken, combined with the spicy, tangy sauce and fresh vegetables, is a winning combination that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re serving it to family, friends, or just enjoying it for yourself, this dish is bound to be a hit.

Enjoy your homemade Chinese Chilli Chicken with your favorite side dishes and savor the bold flavors that this dish offers!