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Paneer Biryani Restaurant Style | पनीर दम बिर्यानी | Veg Biryani | Kunal Kapur Rice Recipes

Chef Kunal Kapur Paneer & Dairy 40 Mins 4 Servings 4.6M views Oct 5, 2021
A flavorful recipe for this Ramadan! A delicately flavoured, mildly spiced and amazingly delicious. My recipe for Paneer Biryani is for all biryani lovers. If you are a vegetarian and love the flavours of authentic biryani then this paneer biryani is a must-try. Biryani comes from the Persian word "Biriyan Kardan" which means to fry. Traditionally biryani was made with meat and the meat was shallow fried in fat and then rice was added.

Ingredients & Measurements

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

FOR BIRYANI OR JHOL

  • Oil - 1cup
  • Black cardamom - 2nos
  • Bayleaf - 1no
  • Cumin - 2tsp
  • Cinnamon (2”) - 1no
  • Cardamom - 6-7nos
  • Onion sliced - 2½ cups
  • Turmeric - 1 tsp
  • Chilli powder - 1 tbsp
  • Coriander powder - 2tbsp
  • Garlic paste - 2tbsp
  • Ginger paste - 1tbsp
  • Curd - ½ cup
  • Tomato puree (fresh) - 1cup
  • Green chilli - 2 no
  • Salt - to taste
  • Kasoori Methi - 2tsp
  • Water - 3cups

FOR RICE

  • Basmati rice - 2cups
  • Water - 3lts
  • Salt - 3tbsp
  • Green chillies - 2nos
  • Bayleaf - 1no
  • Cardamom - 4-5nos
  • Kewra water - 2tbsp
  • Rosewater - 2tbsp

FOR ASSEMBLING

  • Garam Masala - ½ tsp
  • Coriander chopped - a handful
  • Mint leaves - a handful
  • Ghee - 2tbsp
  • Atta - for sealing

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 Paneer Biryani Restaurant Style?

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.