The Magic of Manchurian Chicken===

There’s something magical about the combination of crispy fried chicken and tangy, spicy Manchurian sauce. This beloved Indo-Chinese dish is a favourite in many households, and for good reason – it’s finger-lickin’ good! If you’ve never tried it before, you’re in for a treat. Follow these steps to make your own Manchurian magic at home.

Step 1: Gather Ingredients for Finger-Lickin’ Chicken

To make Manchurian chicken, you’ll need boneless chicken (breast or thigh), corn starch, all-purpose flour, egg, ginger-garlic paste, soy sauce, red chili flakes, black pepper, vegetable oil, and salt. You can find most of these ingredients at your local grocery store or Asian market.

Step 2: Marinate Chicken to Perfection

In a bowl, mix together ginger-garlic paste, soy sauce, red chili flakes, black pepper, and salt. Add the chicken and mix well. Cover the bowl and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours) in the fridge. This step is crucial for tender, flavourful chicken.

Step 3: Coat Chicken in a Flavourful Breading

In a separate bowl, mix together corn starch, all-purpose flour, and a pinch of salt. In another bowl, beat an egg. Dip each piece of marinated chicken in the egg mixture, then coat it with the flour mixture. Shake off any excess flour.

Step 4: Fry Chicken to Golden Crispy Goodness

Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the breaded chicken pieces to the pan. Fry for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Transfer the fried chicken onto a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.

Step 5: Creating the Magic Manchurian Sauce

In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, ketchup, red chili sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, and corn starch. Add some water to the mixture and stir well. This will be the base for our Manchurian sauce.

Step 6: Tossing the Chicken in the Delicious Sauce

Heat a small amount of vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and ginger, and sauté for a minute. Pour in the Manchurian sauce and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens. Add the fried chicken to the pan and toss it in the sauce until it’s evenly coated.

Step 7: Garnish with Fresh Herbs and Spices

Chop some fresh green onions, cilantro, and red chili peppers for garnish. Sprinkle them over the Manchurian chicken for added flavour and colour.

Step 8: Serve with Your Favourite Sides

Manchurian chicken is best served hot with steamed rice or noodles. You can also pair it with some stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.

Enjoy the Magic of Manchurian Chicken===

Now that you know how to make Manchurian chicken, you’ll never have to order takeout again. This dish is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion that calls for some finger-lickin’ goodness. Experiment with different variations and substitutions to make it your own. Happy cooking!

Bonus Tips: Variations and Substitutions

  • You can use bone-in chicken pieces instead of boneless, but adjust the cooking time accordingly.
  • Add some chopped onions, bell peppers, or carrots to the Manchurian sauce for extra flavour and texture.
  • Substitute honey or maple syrup for brown sugar in the sauce for a sweeter taste.
  • Use tofu or paneer instead of chicken for a vegetarian version.
  • If you don’t have ginger-garlic paste, you can use minced ginger and garlic instead.

Recipe Card: Follow the Steps for Finger-Lickin’ Chicken!

Ingredients:

  • 500g boneless chicken (breast or thigh)
  • 1/4 cup corn starch
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp red chili flakes
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Salt to taste

For the Manchurian Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp red chili sauce
  • 1 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp corn starch
  • Water as needed

Instructions:

  1. Marinate the chicken with ginger-garlic paste, soy sauce, red chili flakes, black pepper, and salt. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Mix corn starch, all-purpose flour, and salt in a bowl. Beat an egg in a separate bowl.
  3. Dip each chicken piece in the egg, then coat it with the flour mixture. Shake off excess flour.
  4. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan. Fry the chicken until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  5. In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients for the Manchurian sauce.
  6. Heat some vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan. Add minced garlic and ginger, then sauté for a minute.
  7. Pour in the Manchurian sauce and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens.
  8. Add the fried chicken to the pan and toss it in the sauce until it’s evenly coated.
  9. Garnish with fresh herbs and spices.
  10. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Enjoy!

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