How to Make Smoky and Creamy Paneer Tikka Masala Like Restaurants

Paneer Tikka Masala is one of those dishes that instantly brings the aroma and charm of a restaurant to your home. With its smoky and spicy flavours, this dish pairs perfectly with roti, naan, or paratha. It is easy to prepare at home and gives a rich, creamy taste that everyone in your family will love and ask for again.

Ingredients and Preparation for Marinade

To prepare the paneer, take 400 grams of paneer and cut it into square pieces. Chop one onion, one capsicum, and one tomato into similar square pieces. In a bowl, mix one cup of thick curd with Kashmiri red chilli powder, chaat masala, garam masala, coriander powder, turmeric, and gram flour. Add ginger-garlic paste, kasuri methi, salt, and a little mustard oil to make a thick paste. Coat the paneer and vegetables evenly with this mixture and leave it aside for 15–20 minutes for proper marination.

Cooking the Paneer

Heat a little oil in a pan and sauté the marinated paneer and vegetables. Cook them until they turn light golden in colour, but avoid overcooking. The smoky and slightly charred flavour of the paneer will add an authentic restaurant-style touch to your dish. Once done, remove them from the pan and keep aside.

Preparing the Gravy

In the same pan, heat oil and butter together. Add cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, star anise, and black cardamom. Let them crackle for a minute, then add finely chopped onions and tomatoes. Sauté until they turn golden and soft. Add tomato puree, coriander powder, red chilli powder, garam masala, and salt. Mix well and cook the masala on a low flame until the oil separates from the gravy.

Combining Paneer with Gravy

Once the gravy is ready, add a little water to adjust its consistency. Now add the sautéed paneer and vegetables. Mix everything well and cook it for 2–3 minutes on low flame. This helps the paneer absorb all the rich flavours of the masala, giving it that restaurant-style texture and taste.

Finishing Touch with Cream and Kasuri Methi

To bring the final richness, add fresh cream and sprinkle kasuri methi on top. Stir well and cook for another minute. The combination of cream and fenugreek enhances the aroma and gives the Paneer Tikka Masala its signature restaurant flavour.

Look and Presentation

The Paneer Tikka Masala has a beautiful red-orange colour with paneer cubes shining in creamy gravy. The combination of colourful vegetables like green capsicum and red tomatoes makes the dish look vibrant. Serve it in a bowl and garnish with a swirl of cream or a sprinkle of coriander leaves for that restaurant look.

Taste and Serving Suggestion

Serve this delicious dish hot with naan, butter roti, or paratha. Its rich and creamy texture with spicy flavours makes it perfect for family dinners or special occasions. Every bite gives you that perfect balance of smoky and spicy taste, making everyone at the table ask for more.

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