Kadai Paneer is one of my favorite dishes. It is a popular Indian recipe that is full of flavor and very comforting. The gravy is rich, spicy, and has a wonderful aroma. The paneer cubes are soft and tender, and the spices make it taste so delicious. I used to order Kadai Paneer many times at Indian restaurants because I loved it so much. But then, I started making it at home, and it became even more special.
On my blog, Curry Loves, I share recipes that are easy to make but still taste amazing. This Kadai Paneer recipe is one of them. You do not need a lot of fancy ingredients—just a few basic spices and a little effort. With this recipe, you can make restaurant-style Kadai Paneer at home and enjoy it with your family. It is simple, tasty, and perfect for any meal.
What is Kadai Paneer?
Kadai Paneer is a famous Indian dish that many people love. It is named after the “Kadai,” which is a type of deep pan or wok used for cooking. This dish is semi-dry, which means it is not too watery but has a thick sauce. It is a little spicy and has amazing flavor. The main ingredients are paneer, which is Indian cottage cheese, and capsicum, also called bell peppers. The dish gets its unique taste from a mix of special spices called Kadai Masala. These spices make it extra tasty and enjoyable for everyone!
Watch on how to make the Kadai Paneer
What is Kadai Masala?
Kadai Masala is a special spice mix that adds a lot of flavor to your food. It is very easy to use and helps make your dishes taste delicious. The best part is, you can change the recipe to match your taste!
If you want a stronger citrusy and spicy flavor, you can add 1/2 tablespoon more of coriander seeds. You can also add more peppercorns and 1 or 2 extra dried chilies to make it spicier. Some people like to add cardamom pods and a small piece of cinnamon. These make the masala smell and taste even better.
For a richer flavor, you can mix in 1 tablespoon of cashew nuts. This gives the masala a creamy and rich taste. So, you can easily adjust the ingredients to make Kadai Masala just the way you like it!
How to Use Kadai Masala
You can use Kadai Masala in many dishes, not just for paneer. Try it in Kadai Chicken, Kadai Mushroom, Kadai Prawns, or even Kadai Mixed Vegetables. It works with almost anything!
Why Use Kadai Masala?
This spice mix is full of delicious flavors. It is made with common spices like coriander, cumin, and red chilies. These spices are roasted and blended to create the perfect mix.
If you love tasty, homemade food, Kadai Masala is a must-have in your kitchen!
Step-by-Step Instructions on how to make Kadai Paneer
- Begin by marinating the paneer cubes with a pinch of turmeric powder and Kashmiri chilli powder. Set this aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
- Toast the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and dried red chillies in a hot pan over medium heat until wonderfully aromatic. Allow the mixture to cool, then grind into a fine powder. This Kadai Masala is the heart of the dish!
- Heat a small amount of oil in the same pan. Briefly sauté the onion petals, followed by the capsicum pieces (both green and red), until slightly softened but still crisp. Remove and set aside.
- Lightly fry the marinated paneer cubes until golden on the edges. Set aside.
- Add more oil or ghee to the pan. Once hot, add cumin seeds and allow them to splutter. Toss in the thinly sliced onions and sauté until golden and soft. Stir in the minced ginger, garlic, and green chilli. Sauté for a few seconds until fragrant.
- Sprinkle in Kashmiri chilli powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and the freshly ground Kadai Masala. Stir well to combine, releasing the spices’ aromas.
- Add a splash of hot water to the pan and cook the spice mixture on low heat for 2 minutes. Add the thinly sliced tomatoes along with a pinch of salt. Cook until the tomatoes melt into a mushy, rich puree texture. Add another cup of hot water and simmer for 3 minutes to enhance the flavours.
- Add the sautéed onions, capsicum, paneer, and tomato chunks into the gravy. Stir gently to coat all the pieces evenly with the luscious masala. Cook for 2 minutes to allow the flavours to blend.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, ensuring it blends seamlessly into the gravy. Crush dried kasuri methi between your palms and sprinkle it over the dish for a burst of earthy flavour. Add freshly chopped coriander leaves for a final flourish.
- Garnish with ginger juliennes for a touch of elegance. Serve your piping hot Kadai Paneer with roti, naan, or jeera rice for a satisfying homemade feast.
Serving Suggestions
Kadai Paneer is best enjoyed with warm, buttery naan, chapati, or flaky Gobi Paratha(VIDEO). You can also serve it with steamed basmati rice for a comforting meal. Want to make your meal extra special? Pair it with Peas Pulao or aromatic Ghee Rice for a complete restaurant-style experience.
Kadai Paneer Recipe (Spicy Paneer Curry)
Description
Kadai Paneer is a restaurant-style dish you can easily recreate at home. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or a cozy dinner, this flavorful dish is always a hit. Try it today and let me know how it turns out in the comments below. Enjoy your Kadai Paneer!
Ingredients for Kadai Paneer Recipe
For Marination:
Kadai Masala Powder:
Other Ingredients:
Instructions on how to make Kadai Paneer
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Marinate the paneer with turmeric powder and Kashmiri chili powder. Set aside.
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Prepare the Kadai Masala by dry roasting coriander seeds, dried red chilies, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, and peppercorns in a pan over medium heat until aromatic. Cool and grind into a fine powder. Set aside.
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In the same pan, heat a little oil. Sauté the cubed onions briefly and set aside. Repeat with the red and green capsicum, then with the marinated paneer, setting each aside separately.
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Add more oil and ghee to the pan. Once hot, add cumin seeds. Sauté the thinly sliced onions until light golden.
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Add minced ginger, garlic, and green chilies. Sauté for a few seconds.
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Stir in Kashmiri chili powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and the Kadai Masala. Mix well.
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Add a splash of hot water and cook on low for 2 minutes.
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Add the chopped tomatoes and salt. Cook until tomatoes become mushy.
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Pour in another cup of hot water and cook for 3 minutes on low flame.
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Add the sautéed onions, capsicum, paneer, and tomatoes. Cook for 2 minutes.
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Stir in fresh cream, mix well on low flame.
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Add kasuri methi and chopped coriander leaves. Mix well.
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Garnish with ginger juliennes and serve hot with roti or naan.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 5
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 491.44kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 35.36g55%
- Saturated Fat 17.03g86%
- Trans Fat 1.05g
- Cholesterol 83.44mg28%
- Sodium 855.52mg36%
- Potassium 710.65mg21%
- Total Carbohydrate 22.93g8%
- Dietary Fiber 5.49g22%
- Sugars 11.22g
- Protein 24.04g49%
- Vitamin A 363.87 mcg
- Vitamin C 97.37 mg
- Calcium 760.33 mg
- Iron 2.4 mg
- Vitamin D 0.89 mcg
- Vitamin E 3.5 mg
- Vitamin K 27.89 mcg
- Thiamin 0.17 mg
- Riboflavin 0.37 mg
- Niacin 1.52 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.5 mg
- Folate 62.2 mcg
- Vitamin B12 1.76 mcg
- Phosphorus 558.3 mg
- Magnesium 71.17 mg
- Zinc 3.77 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
