Chicken Manchurian
A popular Indo-Chinese dish featuring crispy chicken pieces coated in a savory and slightly sweet Manchurian sauce.
Nutrition Facts
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
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Chicken Manchurian is a prime example of Indo-Chinese cuisine, a fusion that emerged from the Chinese communities who migrated to India, primarily to Kolkata, during the British colonial era. Seeking familiar flavors in a new land, they adapted their traditional cooking techniques and ingredients to local Indian palates and available resources, resulting in the creation of unique and now iconic dishes.
Chicken Manchurian is an incredibly popular Indo-Chinese dish, frequently found on restaurant menus and enjoyed as a party snack or main course across India and in Indian communities worldwide. It is a testament to the successful fusion of two distinct culinary traditions.
Ubiquitous Restaurant Presence
Chicken Manchurian is a staple on almost every Indo-Chinese restaurant menu in India, demonstrating its widespread popularity and acceptance.
Party and Celebration Food
It's a common choice for parties, celebrations, and social gatherings, often served as an appetizer or part of a larger meal.
Street Food Favorite
Variations of Chicken Manchurian are also found as popular street food, especially in urban areas, showcasing its accessibility and affordability.
Global Adaptation
The dish has gained popularity in other parts of the world, particularly in regions with significant Indian diaspora, where it continues to be adapted to local tastes.
Chicken Manchurian offers a delightful balance of savory, slightly sweet, and spicy flavors, with a textural contrast between the crispy chicken and the flavorful sauce.
The predominant flavor profile is umami-rich and savory, derived from soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and green chilies. A touch of sweetness is introduced through ingredients like sugar or tomato ketchup. The heat comes from green chilies, chili sauce, or dried red chilies, offering a pleasant kick. The chicken is typically marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger-garlic paste, and spices before being deep-fried to a crispy golden brown. The Manchurian sauce is a complex blend of soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, garlic, green chilies, and often a thickening agent like cornstarch. The final dish is garnished with chopped spring onions for a fresh, aromatic element.
Double Frying for Extra Crispiness
For an exceptionally crispy chicken, consider double-frying the chicken pieces. Fry them once at a lower temperature to cook them through, and then a second time at a higher temperature to achieve a golden-brown, crispy exterior.
Adjusting the Sauce Consistency
Control the thickness of the sauce by adjusting the amount of cornstarch slurry. Add more for a thicker sauce, less for a thinner one. Be sure to stir the cornstarch slurry well before adding it to prevent lumps.
Balancing the Flavors
Taste the sauce as you go and adjust the seasoning to your preference. Add more soy sauce for saltiness, vinegar for tanginess, sugar for sweetness, or chili sauce for heat.
Using Fresh Ingredients
Fresh ginger, garlic, and green chilies will significantly enhance the flavor of the dish. Avoid using powdered substitutes if possible.
Serving Immediately
Serve the Chicken Manchurian immediately after preparing it to maintain the crispiness of the chicken. The longer it sits in the sauce, the softer it will become.
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