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Paneer Tikka Masala Recipe First Image

Paneer Masala


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  • Author: Chef Indian
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A rich and creamy curry made with paneer, yogurt, and a blend of aromatic spices.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 400 grams paneer (cut into cubes)
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder or paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 2 tablespoons oil or butter
  • 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
  • 2 teaspoons ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups tomato puree
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Start by mixing all the marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Add the paneer cubes and gently coat them in the mixture. Let this sit for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the fridge if you have the time.
  2. Once marinated, you can cook the paneer one of three ways: grill it on skewers, roast in a hot oven at 425°F (220°C) for 10–15 minutes, or pan-fry it in a bit of oil until golden on all sides.
  3. While the paneer is cooking, start on the masala sauce. Heat oil or butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until golden and soft — this takes about 8 to 10 minutes and it’s worth doing right. Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Now, stir in the spices: cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Toast them for 30 seconds, then pour in the tomato puree. Let this simmer gently for 10–12 minutes, until it thickens and deepens in color. Stir occasionally.
  5. Once the sauce has reduced a bit, stir in the cream. Let it simmer for 3–4 more minutes until everything comes together into a smooth, rich curry.
  6. Gently fold the cooked paneer into the hot masala sauce. Let it simmer for another 3–4 minutes so the flavors meld. The paneer should stay soft but soak up all that goodness from the sauce.
  7. Serve it hot, topped with fresh cilantro. It goes perfectly with basmati rice, warm naan, or even roti. If you’re going low-carb, cauliflower rice works too.

Notes

  • Marinating the paneer for a longer time enhances the flavor.
  • Adjust the spices according to your taste preference.
  • This dish can be made vegan by replacing paneer with tofu and heavy cream with coconut cream.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 3 grams
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 25 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 15 grams
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 grams
  • Trans Fat: 0 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 12 grams
  • Fiber: 2 grams
  • Protein: 18 grams
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg