Red Chilli Chicken
A fiery, bold chicken starter with whole dried red chillies and a punchy spice marinade. This Indo-Chinese inspired dish has a beautiful deep colour and a dry coating that makes it an irresistible party appetiser or a side to a rice meal.
⏱ Prep: 20 mins🍳 Cook: 25 mins⌛ Total: 45 mins🍕 Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 500g boneless chicken, cubed
- 2 tbsp Precious cold pressed groundnut oil
- 6-8 dried red chillies (Kashmiri for colour, bird eye for heat)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp red chilli sauce
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 egg white
- 2 tbsp corn flour
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- Salt to taste
- Spring onion greens to garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix chicken with ginger-garlic paste, soy sauce, red chilli sauce, vinegar, pepper, chilli powder, and salt. Marinate 1 hour.
- Add egg white, corn flour, and all-purpose flour to the marinated chicken. Mix to coat evenly.
- Heat oil in a wok or kadai to high heat. Deep fry chicken in batches until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- In the same pan, keep 1 tbsp oil. Add whole dried red chillies and fry for 30 seconds.
- Toss fried chicken into the wok with the chillies.
- Add a splash of soy sauce and toss on high flame for 1 minute.
- Adjust salt and garnish with spring onion greens. Serve immediately while hot.
Chef's Tip: The double-fry method (fry, rest 3 minutes, fry again at high heat) gives the crispiest result. Precious cold pressed groundnut oil is excellent for deep frying at high temperatures and adds a subtle nuttiness that complements the chilli heat.
Cook with authentic cold pressed oils — the difference is in every bite.