Chilly Chicken | Indo Chinese Appetizer

Chilli Chicken, a popular one in restaurants and a frequently ordered one as well.Kids love this a lot and have made it many times.Initial versions were with food color but now without food color,adding food color doesn't change the tastes but definitely the looks for sure.This recipe is one which has never found a chance to be photographed as mostly whenever its made kids will grab the bowl and are off to finish or when guests arrive and I don't get time to take shots.Some or the other reason until now kept me postponing to post this recipe and now finally few days back,I got a chance to prepare this and kids were away too,so by the time they returned photos were captured.I needn't elaborate (explain) the tastes much as it is well versed with most of the non vegetarians.Do give it  a try if you are looking for a yummy appetizer.Enjoy !!!

 

Ingredients
for marination
chicken without bones cubed 1 lb
corn flour 2tbsp
wheat flour /all purpose flour 2tbsp
red chilly powder 3/4-1 tsp
lemon juice/vinegar 2tsp
egg white 1
salt to taste

for sauce/gravy
onion 1 peeled and cubed
capsicum /bell pepper 1 cubed
ginger minced 1 1/2 tsp
garlic minced 1 1/2 tsp

soy sauce 3tsp (refer notes)
red chilly sauce 2tsp
corn flour 1 tbsp
oil 4 tbsp
salt

to garnish
cilantro/ spring onion 2tbsp chopped

Method

• Cut the chicken in small bite size cubes,clean & wash the chicken under running water.Drain water in a colander and keep aside.Prepare a thick marinade using corn flour,wheat flour,red chilli powder,turmeric powder,lemon juice & salt.Add water if required.Add the cubed chicken pieces in it,marinate it for half an hour.
• Heat oil in a pan and fry the chicken pieces in the oil in batches till golden brown on all sides.Drain on a paper towel.

• To the same remaining oil,add the minced ginger and garlic.Saute till the raw smell disappears.Add the cubed onions,saute for a minute or so,add the cubed bell pepper /capsicum.
• Add in the red/green chilly sauce and soy sauce.
• Mix the corn flour with half a cup of water,stir without lumps.Add to the mixture and keep stirring till the sauce thickens.
• Now,slide in the fried chicken pieces gently so that it doesn't break.Toss in careful with the sauces,cover for a minute or so till the sauce coats well with the chicken pieces and dries lightly.Switch off flame.
• Garnish with chopped spring onion or cilantro.

Servings ~ 4 adults

NOTES
* I prefer shallow frying the chicken pieces but you can always deep fry too.
* You can add 2 drops of red /orange food color to get the restaurant style,but I have omitted.
* In case,you wish to add more spiciness then add 2-3 red dry chillies too.
* If you wish to have more gravy,then add water & corn starch to the sauce accordingly.
* I have used  light soya sauce,if you prefer the dark one then add as per taste.

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