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Close-up view of a bowl of chicken in a thick, flavorful sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.

How To Make Chicken Manchurian

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
This crispy Chicken Manchurian is coated in a rich, tangy sauce made with soy sauce, chili sauce, garlic, and bell peppers. A beloved Indo-Chinese dish, it is perfect as an appetizer or served over rice for a flavorful meal. Ready in just 35 minutes!
2 Servings

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • 1 ½ lb chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • ½ tsp red chili powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ tsp black pepper
  • Oil for frying

For the Manchurian Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp ginger grated
  • 2 tsp garlic minced
  • 1 small red bell pepper diced
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp red chili sauce
  • ¼ cup tomato ketchup
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water
  • Chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions
 

Prepare the Chicken

  1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the chicken cubes with cornstarch, all-purpose flour, beaten egg, soy sauce, red chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated. Allow the mixture to marinate for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor and texture.

Fry the Chicken

  1. Heat oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil reaches approximately 350°F (175°C), carefully add the chicken pieces in batches, ensuring they do not overcrowd the pan. Fry for approximately 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Remove the fried chicken using a slotted spoon and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Prepare the Sauce

  1. In a large skillet or wok, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the grated ginger and minced garlic, sautéing for 30-40 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the diced red bell pepper and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.

Combine the Ingredients

  1. Add soy sauce, red chili sauce, and tomato ketchup to the skillet, stirring well to combine. Allow the sauce to simmer for 1-2 minutes to develop its rich flavor.

Thicken the Sauce

  1. In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in water to create a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the skillet while stirring continuously. Cook for another minute until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.

Coat the Chicken and Serve

  1. Add the fried chicken to the skillet, tossing well to coat each piece with the sauce. Once fully combined, remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

To prepare a gluten-free version of this dish, substitute the all-purpose flour with rice flour or gluten-free flour blend. Additionally, ensure that both the soy sauce and red chili sauce are labeled gluten-free, as many traditional versions contain wheat. Follow the remaining steps as directed for a delicious gluten-free Chicken Manchurian.
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