Paneer Pulao Recipe (Paneer Rice)
Paneer pulao is a delicious one pot rice pilaf made with spices and veggies, topped with crisp pan fried paneer. Make this delicious dish for a quick dinner.
For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips.
© Swasthi's Recipes - www.indianhealthyrecipes.com
Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )
- 1½ cups basmati rice (read notes to use other kind)
- 2½ cups water for stovetop pressure cooker (3 cups for pot, 1¾ cups + 2 tbsp for instant pot)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons oil or ghee as needed
- 1 large onion sliced thin (optional)
- 1 to 2 green chilies (omit for kids)
- ½ cup green peas
- ½ cup carrots
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- ¼ cup coriander leaves fine chopped
- 12 to 15 mint leaves fine chopped
Whole spices
- 1 small bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 3 to 4 green cardamoms
- 6 cloves
- 1 inch cinnamon
- 1 small star anise (biryani flower)
for paneer marination
- 1½ cup paneer cubes
- 1½ tablespoon oil
- ¾ teaspoon ginger garlic paste
- ¼ teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- salt as needed
- 1 tablespoon gram flour
- ¼ to ½ kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
How to make the recipe
- Prep-up paneer: Add all the marination ingredients including 1½ tablespoon oil to paneer. Mix and set aside. If it is too dry, sprinkle 1 tbsp water. Rinse and soak rice in water for 15 mins.
- Make pulao rice: Heat oil or ghee in a pot or cooker. Add all the whole spices. When they begin to sizzle, add sliced onions & green chilies. Saute them until golden.
- Saute ginger garlic paste till the raw smell is gone, for 1 minute. Add all the chopped veggies, mint and coriander leaves. Saute for 2 to 3 mins. Pour water and stir in salt. Taste test and adjust salt to make it slightly salty.
- Bring it to a boil. Add soaked and drained rice and pressure cook for 1 whistle on a medium flame. If cooking in a pot, cover and cook on a low flame until the rice is done.
- Fry Paneer: Meanwhile, heat a non-stick pan and place the marinated paneer cubes. Fry them until golden. If the pan looks too dry add some oil.
- Assemble Paneer Pulao: When the pressure releases naturally, open the lid and fluff up. Remove to a serving plate and top the fried paneer. Serve paneer pulao with a raita or a salad.
NUTRITION (estimation only)
Calories: 946kcal | Carbohydrates: 102g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 546mg | Potassium: 1253mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 5122IU | Vitamin C: 130mg | Calcium: 854mg | Iron: 11mg
