By Aditi Saraswat
December 4, 2025
Kadai Paneer is a fiery, aromatic curry that is prepared with peppers, onions, and soft paneer cooked in a spice blend. Its smoky dhaba-style flavour makes it ideal for quick dinners, lunch, or comforting weekend meals.
250g paneer cubes 1 cup capsicum cubes 1 cup onion cubes 2 medium tomatoes (pureed) 2 tbsp oil 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste 1 tsp red chilli powder ½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp coriander powder 1 tsp garam masala 1 tsp kasuri methi Salt to taste 2 tbsp freshly crushed kadai paneer masala
In a kadai, heat oil and butter. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté it until it turns aromatic.
To this base, add onion and capsicum cubes. Fry it on a high flame to maintain its crunch and achieve the dish's signature dhaba-style consistency.
Once it is cooked nicely, add tomato puree, turmeric, chilli powder, coriander powder, and salt to this. Cook the masala until it thickens and starts releasing oil.
Add the freshly ground kadai masala, prepared by crushing dry-roasted coriander seeds, red chillies, and jeera. Sauté it for a minute or two so that it starts releasing smoky, roasted aromas.
Add paneer cubes to this and let it boil gently, so that it absorbs the masala thoroughly.
Once the gravy has boiled, garnish with garam masala and kasuri methi. Simmer it again for a minute and serve hot with rice or roti.