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रेस्टोरेंट जेसा कडाई पनीर घर पर | Restaurant Style Kadhai Paneer | Lunch/Dinner by Chef Kunal Kapur

Chef Kunal Kapur Paneer & Dairy 40 Mins 4 Servings 3.5M views Nov 8, 2021
In today's video, I am going to show you how to make restaurant-style Kadai Paneer at home. Kadhai Paneer is one of the most popular Indian paneer recipes and is best enjoyed with naan or roti! This paneer recipe is a vibrant, tangy, flavourful, spiced dish that can brighten up your day at any time. Do try it and let me know kaise lagi! (: If you want to learn how to make Paneer At Home | पनीर कैसे बनाये घर पे - click here: https://youtu.be/2pVAobLK_4Q

Ingredients & Measurements

Carefully curated and proportioned for authentic flavor balance. Adjust chillies and salt to your personal taste.

For Wet Kadai Masala

  • Oil - ¼ cup
  • Butter - ¼ cup
  • Onion chopped - 2 cups
  • Green chilli chopped - 1tbsp
  • Garlic chopped - 1 tbsp
  • Ginger chopped - 1 ½ tbsp
  • Kashmiri red chilli powder - 1 ½ tbsp
  • Turmeric - ½ tsp
  • Coriander powder - 1tbsp
  • Cumin powder - ½ tbsp
  • Salt - to taste
  • Tomato chopped - 2cups
  • Tomato puree (fresh) - 2cups

FOR FINISHING

  • Oil - 2tbsp
  • Butter - 2 tbsp
  • Dry Red chilli flakes - 2tsp
  • Peppercorn (cracked) - 1tsp
  • Coriander seeds (cracked) - 2tbsp
  • Cumin (cracked) - 2tsp
  • Green chilli chopped - 1tsp
  • Garlic chopped - 1 tsp
  • Ginger chopped - 1 tsp
  • Capsicum green diced - a handful
  • Capsicum red diced - a handful
  • Capsicum yellow diced - a handful
  • Onion diced - ½ cup
  • Tomato diced - ½ cup
  • Salt - to taste
  • Water - 1cup
  • Paneer cubes - 3cups
  • Kasoori methi powder - ½ tsp
  • Coriander chopped - a handful
  • Cream (optional) - ¼ cup

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

  1. 1
    Ingredient Preparation: Wash, prep, and accurately measure all fresh ingredients, aromatics, and spice blends as listed in the ingredients section.
  2. 2
    Sautéing & Blooming Spices: Heat oil or ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium flame. Add whole spices and aromatics (ginger, garlic, green chillies) to bloom their essential oils until fragrant.
  3. 3
    Building the Flavor Base: Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent or golden brown. Stir in tomatoes and ground spices (turmeric, coriander, chilli powder), cooking on medium-low heat until the oil begins to separate from the masala.
  4. 4
    Simmering to Perfection: Incorporate the primary ingredients (vegetables, paneer, lentils, or proteins) and simmer gently with warm water or broth until tender and deeply infused with flavor.
  5. 5
    Finishing & Garnish: Adjust seasoning with salt, sprinkle freshly crushed roasted kasoori methi and garam masala, and garnish generously with freshly chopped coriander leaves. Serve piping hot with roti, paratha, or fragrant basmati rice.

Chef Kunal's Pro Secret Tip

Always soak fresh paneer cubes in warm, lightly salted water for 10 minutes before cooking. If pan-frying paneer, do so for no more than 60–90 seconds per side on medium-high heat to preserve its velvety, melt-in-the-mouth texture and prevent rubberiness.

Recipe FAQs & Expert Advice

How long can I store leftover रेस्टोरेंट जेसा कडाई पनीर घर पर?

You can store leftovers in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. When reheating, warm on medium-low heat on the stovetop and add 2–3 tablespoons of warm water if the gravy has thickened in the fridge.

Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute paneer with extra-firm pressed tofu or roasted plant-based paneer alternatives. Replace dairy butter/ghee with mustard oil, coconut oil, or refined groundnut oil.

What is the key technique to get restaurant-style flavor in this dish?

Focus on blooming whole spices in hot oil first, patiently sautéing the onion-tomato masala until oil separates, and finishing with a pinch of crushed roasted kasoori methi and freshly ground garam masala right before serving.