Paneer chili
I have tasted Paneer many times in restaurants, but had never tried cooking it at home. When I got recipe requests for Paneer chili and Paneer 65, I bought a pack of Paneer from Indian store here. I made Paneer chili and it was simply superb.
When I searched for Paneer chili, I got many recipes asking for deep frying of Paneer. I wanted to make non-deep fried version. So I followed Shynee’s Mashroom chili recipe with few changes. The final product was simply amazing. Even my husband who does not like Paneer, loved this dish.
Ingredients:
1 cup Paneer chopped into cubes
3-4 green chilies
1 tea spn soya sauce
1 tea spn tomato ketchup
1/2 tea spn ginger-garlic paste
1/2 cup onions slices
1/2 cup capsicum slices
1 tbl spn oil
2-3 strands coriander leaves
Salt
Method:
Heat oil and fry the Paneer cubes till they turn slightly brownish. Take them out.
In the remaining oil, add ginger-garlic paste and onions. Fry till onions turn translucent. Add capsicum, slitted green chilies and fry till they become soft. Add soya sauce, tomato ketchup, salt and Paneer. Mix well. Garnish with coriander leaves.
Serve hot as a starter.
Serves: 2
Preparation time : 15mins
Shilpa,
I was searching for this recipe and lo behold you have it
There is a pack of paneer lying in my house I will try this today itself !!
Thanks for the recipe
November 6th, 2006 at 11:41 amDeepa
Hi Shilpa,
This receipe is looking too good.I have some paneer in my freezer,let me try this …..
November 6th, 2006 at 12:31 pmhi Shilpa,
November 6th, 2006 at 12:33 pmThis is a very easy and quick recipe. thanks for posting it. will try it soon.
shilpa-
November 6th, 2006 at 8:38 pmthis looks like a nice recipe- i will try it sometime.
if you ever want to make panir at home, it is quite easy…just heat 1 gallon of milk to boiling, turn off heat and add 1/2 cup of lime or lemon juice. stir once, cover and let sit for 15 min…then pour this through a “cheesecloth” or muslin cloth to collect the curds(save the whey for cooking dishes like mattar panir). tie up the ends and let it hang and drip for 8 hours(overnight). then take this down and press between 2 plates with a weight(kettle filled with water) on top for 4-5 hours. this will give you a high-quality panir…hope you try this sometime! also…if you only let it hang for 30 min, you can make “chenna” for chumchum/dilbahar or for ras gullas or ras malai….i live SO FAR from any store that sells panir that i had to learn to do this at home…:-)
Yummy one Shilpa
November 6th, 2006 at 9:23 pmnice and very simple recipe . thanks
November 7th, 2006 at 3:40 amWow……. I have never eaten this after coming to singapore
But now I m gonna eat it sooooonnnn 
November 7th, 2006 at 4:18 amThat first picture looks mouth-watering ! nice recipe
November 7th, 2006 at 7:29 amShilpa this dish reminds me of a restaurant near my home in India…they make the most awesome chilli paneer. I think your version will give me the same results!!
November 7th, 2006 at 8:19 amPS - noticed your recipe in the Missourian..congrats dear
I always check ur blog for good recepies. Can i substitute tofu instead of paneer ? Just a healthy choice !!!
November 7th, 2006 at 9:30 amWhat kind of soya sauce do u use - if u could tell me the brand it will really help.
November 7th, 2006 at 9:31 amthanks
Deepa, Usha, Deepz, let me know if you try this.
Pelicano, you have a lot of patience to prepare Paneer at home. I never tried it. I am inspired by your comment, so going to try it soon. Thanks.
Thanks Anjali.
Thanks Vitz. I didn’t know you like Paneer. Next time when you visit us, I will prepare this :).
Rooma let me know if you try it.
Krithika, from all of you, I am learning to take good pictures. May be I have improved a bit :D. Thanks for the comment :).
Thanks a lot Ashwini. MyMissourian editor mailed me few days back and asked me to send recipes. Thats the first recognition I have got after so much of hard work.
Hey, let me know if you try this recipe.
Jasmine, I think you can substitute Tofu. I have tasted Tofu few times in Chinese restaurant but never cooked anything with it. I think it will go well. You can even add Mushroom instead of paneer.
November 7th, 2006 at 9:59 amI used ” Than Kikkoman Regular Soy Sauce”. It is a “all purpose” soy sauce. Infact I was confused to see so many different soy sauces in the grocery stores here, I just picked up one. Don’t know if this brand is good choice or not. But the dish tasted amazing.
hi shilpa,
November 7th, 2006 at 4:10 pmthis is my fav dish… i cook it little differntly n next time will try out ur recipe…
and hey…gr8 snaps…
happy blogging:)
cheers
cool….I love PCF and will try this out
November 8th, 2006 at 5:27 ammy small tip….chopped garlic is more fun than paste provided you love the taste of garlic…not many people do
Thanks for the information. The dish looks superb and thanks for sharing the receipe with us.
I am going to buy extra firm tofu and let u know how the dish comes out.
November 8th, 2006 at 8:14 ami love paneer chilli and shallow frying is a very nice alternative.thanks for that!
November 8th, 2006 at 8:55 ami tried it with mushrooms today and it tasted really good. i made with mushrooms and yellow pepper and could n’t control myself from eating more and more.
November 8th, 2006 at 1:55 pmTried this recipe today, had guests over. Was a hit!! Thanks a lot
November 12th, 2006 at 6:57 amHi,
November 13th, 2006 at 8:58 amThis was the first time i tried something out of paneer.
it was yummy even my husband liked as he used to hate to buy paneer whenever we used to shop veggies.
Hi Shilpa,
December 6th, 2006 at 3:16 amI know my commemnt will look strange as if i m a boy and that too i m just 18. Actually sumwhat nowadays i started liking cocking so that it’ll gonna help me out as long after my marriage my future wife will be happy. I usualy try some recipies but the result comes definately something else..I jsut now tries to make paneer tikka but..don even say what haas happened to it.. well i’ll try out ur recipie also and i thing wanted to know that when i was frying the paneer pieces the it didnt became soft and if you give me some quick to make recipies and that too with ingridients normally found in the kitchen that it’ll be greta.. Hope to hera from you soon.. if u would like do send them to my id its siddharth_shakya4u@gmail.com
Sid
SID, I didn’t understand what you want…you want paneer recipes? or the recipe to make paneer? or some other easy recipes? please clarify.
December 6th, 2006 at 8:00 amShilpa,
December 6th, 2006 at 8:08 pmI know how to make paneer, i just wanted to know paneer recipes and also some easy to make dishes if you can provide with than it will be great but the way i see it i think you are having problems understanding and replying to me than its ok, i wont post anymore.ok Take care and happy cooking.bye
Hi
I tried making it yesterday and u know what my hubby just loved the taste thank u so much,i also tried for the tomato soup n the garlic bread along with it.U know my husband never use to eat food which use to remain extra after we finish our dinner but today morning he told me to pack it for his lunch.
Once again thank u it was fab.
January 4th, 2007 at 5:30 pmShilpa
Your recipes are good , i tried panner chilli , and it turnedout good .
January 5th, 2007 at 8:56 pmdoes any one have a recipe for cherry choclate pulm cake ?
January 5th, 2007 at 8:57 pmi am going to try this chilly paneer..today itsel;f i made paneer at home..
January 9th, 2007 at 11:54 pmcan u please tell me the recepie for veg shewzen noodles.no non-veg pl..
thanks
Thx for the recipe…it was really good
January 14th, 2007 at 11:01 pmHi,
February 25th, 2007 at 6:00 pmThe dish is really good.I would louve to try it.But can u please tell me how to fry Paneer without it getting hard.Unfortunately , whenever I try to prepare any paneer dish,in which it requires to be fried,it gets hard (a bit rubbery).
Nilanjana, do not fry paneer for too long. Just heat a little oil and fry them till they become lightly brownish. They get hard when you fry for more time.
February 25th, 2007 at 6:14 pmreminds me yummy punjabi food sitting in US at my home yummy
March 5th, 2007 at 6:35 pmThanks for the tip Shilpa.
March 6th, 2007 at 12:07 amWill keep this in mind the next time am trying my luck with paneer.
Superb Shilpa My mouth started watering after seeing the photo. I am going to try this recipe tonight for dinner.
March 20th, 2007 at 12:52 amfantastic site. We live in London and every restaurant serve this. I am definitely going to try this once fasting is over.
I have just soaked sabudana and will try to make khichadi thanks.
March 20th, 2007 at 2:38 pmThis recipe was truly amazing! Thanks!
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:11 amhai, actualy serching this kind of recipe which very easy, THANKS………. also i am a hospitality management’s student.
March 22nd, 2007 at 7:06 ami tried this recipe 2day & it ws just awsome…i`m gonna try it out with mushrooms nxt time….only that i also added a cube of ‘maggie magic cube’ to the given recipe
March 30th, 2007 at 5:54 amShilpa,
April 6th, 2007 at 10:33 amU r absolutely great cook,,i tried many receipes :)I am in UK,,here i dong get good paneer, can you tell me how to make paneer.
thanks
i am waiting to make paneer :):):..is there a easier way to preserve curry leaves for longer time.
April 10th, 2007 at 3:30 pmMitha
Good and an easy recipe… !!
April 17th, 2007 at 12:56 pmHi Shilpa,
Tried this. tasted good and easy recipe. Thanks for sharing.
April 18th, 2007 at 12:11 pmThis is indeed a good recipe. I keep doing this with even Masala Paneer which I buy from the market.
Tastes good.
All can try.
April 27th, 2007 at 4:03 amhey looks and sounds delicious will try it very soon
May 2nd, 2007 at 12:20 amDo you have the recipe for crispy bhajia?
May 14th, 2007 at 6:06 amReena, can you elaborate please?
May 14th, 2007 at 6:14 amShilpa…
Thanks for the reciepe, I want to try, but i don’t have tomato ketchup right now at home, instead of that can I use tomato puree
May 18th, 2007 at 11:53 amSonum, I don’t think it is a good idea to use tomato puree. The taste would be different.
May 19th, 2007 at 6:55 pmyammyyyyy, my husband like it very much..
thnx,
ranjita
May 28th, 2007 at 6:50 amThanx for the recipie
June 4th, 2007 at 8:44 amThis is too good and absolutely simple to make. I had prepared it last weekend, and believe me, everyone liked it.
June 6th, 2007 at 6:39 amI make this atleast once aweek now ! Great recipe.Thanks!
June 18th, 2007 at 5:45 pmhi Shilpa
your website is simply amazing
I have recently started cooking regularly and ur website is like a bible i have to go thru it everyday!
this one was wonderful i tried it and was so simple and tastes gr8
the only thing i wanted to ask was about the ketchup….i used the hienz hot and spicy but it has a peculiar smell different from the ones in India…do u recommend any?
Shilpa: Jui, thanks for the kind words. You can use any normal kethup. Hot an spicy and such special flavored ketchups might not be suitable for this.
June 20th, 2007 at 6:45 pmHi Shilpa,
Thanks for the tasty recipe. I tried it yesterday and loved it. It was just restaurant-taste like . I used Maggie Tomato Ketchup and Maggie Chatpat sauce (easily available in the Indian stores) along with Kikoman soy sauce.
I am amazed by your culinary skills and am motivated by you especially as you are doing so many things at one time. Keep it up!
Arati
July 9th, 2007 at 7:59 amHi Shilpa,
As I mentioned above the recipe turned out really well for me. I observed one thing though and wanted to share with you.
We put slit green chilies and capsicum in this but once cooked it becomes difficult to identify the chili from capsicum pieces while eating. I would suggest using yellow or red capsicum for that or let me know if you have any other option in mind.
Thanks,
Arati
Shilpa: Arathi, after the dish gets ready, I sometimes remove the green chilies before serving(just need to remember how many pieces I had put in). Cut the capsicum into square-slightly bigger pieces to avoid confusion. I haven’t tried with red/yellow capsicum, not sure how they will turn out.
July 10th, 2007 at 10:54 pmHi Shilpa I tried this dish and it was was good at taste but the paneer got a bit hard after some time cud you please tell me for how long shud I fry the paneer and also please tell me whether I shud use a frying pan for shallow fry or a Kadhai for deep frying.
Thanks & God bless.
July 20th, 2007 at 10:42 amShilpa: Any shallow frying pan should be fine for this. Just put some oil and fry the pieces for about 3-4mins till they get a brownish coating on all sides. They should not fried for too long. Hope this helps
Dear Shipa,
This is a wonderful recipe and the taste reminds me of the Indian Chinese that I used to have as a child. My husband who is Australian loves the dish and we have it very often.
Keep up the good work..
July 30th, 2007 at 7:33 pmHi Shilpa,
Some of your recipies remind me of my konkani cuisine. Are you konkani by any chance?
Shilpa: Yes, I am a Konkani.
July 31st, 2007 at 7:50 pmHi Shilpa… I tried paneer chilli and it was cool but guess what! Paneer melted too soon
Could you help me out how to cook paneer without melting?
Regards,
Shilpa: Fazila, you have to gently keep mixing paneers and it should not be fried for long. Just fry till they get a slight brownish color(hardly takes 5mins)
August 7th, 2007 at 3:39 amwow! quite a few people respond to your blog…that’s nice
This is the first time I’m checking out this site.Hope to try out something soon.
August 10th, 2007 at 8:42 amHey, I just posted my Paneer chilli recipe a few days ago…love yours too…man, paneer is just awesome!!:)
September 4th, 2007 at 5:23 pmi tried many times paneer at home, but each time failed. paneer gets melt i means breaks into pieces. Dont get usual shape those found in d restuarant.
September 5th, 2007 at 4:33 amShilpa: Is your hard enough? I mean, if you are making it at home, try to press it with hand and refrigerate for sometime before using it. Do not fry the pieces for long time. And while frying, do not keep stirring it with spoon, that breaks the paneer. Just stir once or twice very gently.
Shilpa,
September 7th, 2007 at 2:26 amThanks for your ur informaiton on Paneer. Pl. accept my heartiest appreciation to you. Your blog is really wonderful.I got many useful information from your site.
Pl. if possible give recipes which v can have it during fasting days.
thanks again
sada
All eggless cake recipes are supurb…….can you tell me how to make paneer at home? i have never tried. This will be first time if you give me recipe.
September 7th, 2007 at 5:37 pmhi shilpa this recipe is good i will try
September 14th, 2007 at 12:58 amShilpa Aunty, This recipe was fantastic and so easy!!! Its the first time I’ve ever tried anything from your website and the result was fabulous! Now I plan to use your website for almost everything I make!
Could you please let me know if you have any recipes on Maharashtrian Aamti
Shilpa: Karthik, I will be posting few soon.
September 15th, 2007 at 5:48 pmyesterday i actually triedthis one & it was simply great,without any effort,thanks.
October 14th, 2007 at 7:17 amHi Shilpa,
I found your website by mistake. I am glad i made this mistake. What a gem!! I tried your recipe for Paneer Chilli only substituting it with Tofu. It turned out great. My husband loved it. Thanks and keep up the good work.
October 18th, 2007 at 4:48 pmHi Shilpa,
Just today I came across you site while i was trying to look for Chilli Paneer’s recipe. And I am amazed to see this informative site.
Couldn’t stop appreciating your work. I really wonder where you find time and energy to prepare dishes and publish the recipes apart from your personal and official life. Hat’s off to you.
Happy Dussera.
Regards,
October 19th, 2007 at 11:06 amSubba
Shilpa,
November 4th, 2007 at 1:15 pmI made this with firm tofu as a starter for a Indo-Chinese dinner. Superb.
I cut the tofu into cubes and baked for 30mins at 375F, that made it springy and less vulnerable to breaks when mixing in the sauce.
This looks absolutely tempting. My husband loves food and iam trying every single thing on him.Iam gonna try it out and am sure he will love it and me too.
November 14th, 2007 at 11:21 pmhi Shilpa!
I made this dish and it turned out great.
November 15th, 2007 at 5:25 pmMy guests loved it.
Thanks.
Hi Shilpa,
Just tried this dish and it turned out great.
Thanks for posting this recipe.
-Pooja
November 16th, 2007 at 9:34 pmShilpa, last evening tried this dish and it came out so tasty. I somehow had given up on these cause we never get the proper taste when prepared at home but your dish which actually was so simple, turned out to be a perfect starter. thank you.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:41 pmHi slipa,,,
It is good one.
November 27th, 2007 at 1:23 pmI have tasted chilli paneer with different taste in different hotels I have tried last time with conflour but not made with proper taste just seen your preparation will try.Thanks
November 30th, 2007 at 10:45 pmit”s amazing
December 15th, 2007 at 11:28 amVery very Tasty .
December 18th, 2007 at 3:16 amhi shipla - have a query .we ever i fry paneer , it comes too hard. - same is the case when i tried paneer butter masala .should the fried paneer be soaked in warm water before adding to the gravy. pls do let me know cause me n my husband love paneer dishes - but paneer never remains soft if fried , and becomes too soggy if not !
Shilpa: Priya, I usually fry paneer just till the outer edges become brown. That way they dont become too hard. Do you use homemade paneer?
December 23rd, 2007 at 11:44 pmno shilpa- i use ready made paneer cubes. do they have to be shallow fried or deep fried ?
Shilpa: Priyam, shallow frying should be enough. But I fee, you should try once by making paneer at home. I guess the frozen paneer might be the culprit(not sure).
December 28th, 2007 at 2:35 amhi, i’ve prepared it. and aii of we are taking it . it’s yammi
January 1st, 2008 at 3:24 amThis is our hot favorite! whenever we crave paneer, we just dish up the paneer with soy sauce, chillies, capsicum and onions:) your’s looks great Shilpa!
January 1st, 2008 at 5:00 pmi know this recipe and this is our favourite. add chopped tomatoes at the end and kasuri methi as well ,then taste it .so this would be another recipe.
January 2nd, 2008 at 6:25 pmthanks
Hi,
January 9th, 2008 at 8:55 ama sugstion for frying paneer for chilly paneer….
take maida and cornflour powder of equal quantities,add a little salt,garlic(optional) n black pepper,mix with water to make the paste…
dip paneer into it n thn fry thm…
i hope u all will like it.
regards
shilpa
Hi Shilpa,
came across u’r website a few days back,and already i am abig fan.I am an out and out foodie and seeing so much of our aamchegele food makes my mouth water:)
Paneer is another favourite, can i make this dish without frying the paneer?My mil has high chol. so trying to cut down on oil.
Shilpa: Yes Poornima, you can make it without frying. In this recipe, it is not deep fried, so it won’t take much oil even if you decide to fry it.
January 23rd, 2008 at 3:25 amHi Shilpa,
A suggestion for softer paneer…
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:42 amafter deep-frying paneer, put the pieces in a bowl of cold (not chilled) water, and remove them after 2-3 mins. Squeeze out the excess water softly..and use.
EXCELLENT RECIPE! I loved the simplicity & the great taste! Thank you for sharing this
February 1st, 2008 at 6:34 amI made this for valentines’ day last week as a starter with home-made paneer….fantastic…so simple yet amazing results!
Thank you!
Sanj
February 21st, 2008 at 7:26 amemm yummyyyyyyyyyy..will surely try it.
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:20 amAfter frying panir, put it immediately in bowl of room temp water.Then take it out drain it of the water for a few minutes on wipe paper or muslin cloth and then put in the curry.
The oil if replaced by water and then drained makes the panir more receptive to the curry or gravy you are putting it into.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:10 amAlso fried hot panir tends to get very hard and a bit chewy if left by itself
Thanks i will try this very soon
March 18th, 2008 at 9:55 pmHi !
I tried Paneer Chilli at home. B’coz I really love it. Fried Paneer wa s not so soft. Why? what care should we have to take to make it more soft…Taste was good..but Paneer was too hard to eat.
April 5th, 2008 at 1:30 amthnxs ,i was on a look out for this recipe since long.
April 14th, 2008 at 1:25 amthanks..this receipe is so fantastic n easy for cooking..
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:06 amThanks for this great recipe Shilpa!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:02 pmhi shilpa
May 8th, 2008 at 11:14 ami am one big fan of ur recipes.
have tried poli,pesarattu n lots of other recipes from u
obviously,they tasted heavenly..thanks a lot shilpa
i want to know how to cut n fry paneer
i stay in bangalore,buy paneer from supermarkets n store in d fridge
i find it difficult to cut paneer bcoz it s very hard n they dont come out square in shape
secondly when i fry they splutter n are nt even in colour
plz help assap i am planning to try it this weekend
bye
Hi Shilpa
May 9th, 2008 at 4:48 amWhat a fab recipe! I have tried it many times and each time it has been a hit!
A couple of small changes I made are:
-Fry the paneer and leave in warm/hot water until needed, this keeps it soft
-add sliced celery, when adding peppers. I noticed this at a local restaurant, which gives the dish a crisp texture.
-The final touch they give by adding some raw spring onions & green chillies at the end as a garnish.
Many thanks Shilpa, this is one of the dishes I make most frequently by family demand. It’s a No.1 hit!!
Sonia
Hi Shilpa
May 9th, 2008 at 4:52 amWhat a fab recipe! I have tried it many times and each time it has been a hit!
A couple of small changes I made are:
-Fry the paneer and leave in warm to hot water, squeeze and use, this keeps it soft
-add sliced celery, when adding peppers. I noticed this at a local restaurant, which gives the dish a crisp texture.
-The final touch they give by adding some raw spring onions & green chillies at the end as a garnish.
Many thanks Shilpa, this is one of the dishes I make most frequently by family demand. It’s a No.1 hit!!
Sonia
Hi shilpa,
i tried this recipe of yours with frozen paneer, thawed it as instructions on the paclage n then followed ur method….result: mindblowing!!!!!!!!!…will surely try this with fresh paneer for sure……ever since this has been a staple starter in my home!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks again,
Veda
May 11th, 2008 at 11:54 pmHEY,ITS VERY NICE DISH.I TRIED IT AT MY HOME.
ME AND MY FAMILY LOVE IT.
THANKS FOR RECIPE SHILPA.
May 12th, 2008 at 7:33 am