Chicken Matar Paneer Recipe

 

Chicken Matar Paneer is a delicious Indian dish that combines tender chicken, soft paneer (cottage cheese), and green peas in a rich and flavorful tomato-based gravy. It's a perfect dish for dinner parties or family gatherings, and it's easy to make once you have all the ingredients ready.

To prepare this dish, you'll need the following ingredients:

- 500g boneless chicken, cut into small pieces

- 200g paneer, cut into small cubes

- 1 cup green peas

- 2 medium-sized onions, chopped

- 2 medium-sized tomatoes, chopped

- 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped

- 1 tbsp ginger paste

- 1 tbsp garlic paste

- 1 tsp cumin seeds

- 1 tsp coriander powder

- 1 tsp garam masala powder

- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder

- 1/2 tsp red chili powder

- Salt to taste

- 2 tbsp oil

- 2 tbsp butter

- 1/4 cup fresh cream

- Fresh coriander leaves, chopped for garnishing

Now, let's move on to the step-by-step preparation of this mouth-watering dish.

Step 1: Marinate the chicken

In a mixing bowl, add the boneless chicken pieces, 1 tsp of ginger paste, 1 tsp of garlic paste, 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp of red chili powder, and salt to taste. Mix well and keep it aside for 20-30 minutes.

Step 2: Fry the paneer

Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a non-stick pan and add the paneer cubes. Fry the paneer cubes until they turn golden brown. Remove from the pan and keep them aside.

Step 3: Cook the chicken

In the same pan, add 1 tbsp of oil and heat it. Add 1 tsp of cumin seeds and let them splutter. Add the chopped onions and green chilies and sauté until the onions turn translucent. Now, add 1 tbsp of ginger paste and 1 tbsp of garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell disappears.

Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they turn soft and mushy. Add 1 tsp of coriander powder, 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder, and 1/2 tsp of red chili powder. Mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Add the marinated chicken pieces and sauté until they are cooked and the oil starts separating from the gravy. Add the fried paneer cubes and green peas. Mix well and cook for another 5 minutes.

Step 4: Add the cream

Add 2 tbsp of butter and mix well. Add 1/4 cup of fresh cream and mix again. Simmer for a minute or two.

Step 5: Garnish and serve

Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with rice, roti, or naan.

In conclusion, Chicken Matar Paneer is a delectable dish that you can make easily at home with the above recipe. It's a perfect blend of chicken, paneer, and green peas with a rich and creamy tomato-based gravy that will leave you asking for more. Enjoy!