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Easy Paneer Biryani Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 95 reviews

Easy Paneer Biryani is a flavorful vegetarian rice dish featuring crispy paneer, aromatic spices, and fresh vegetables simmered together for a hearty and comforting meal. This one-pot recipe uses tikka masala curry paste to create a rich, mildly spiced flavor perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or weekend feast.

Ingredients

Scale

Paneer & Vegetables

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 200 g (7 oz) paneer, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 red pepper, sliced
  • 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 small green chilli, finely chopped
  • 100 g (3.5 oz) baby spinach
  • Fresh coriander, to garnish

Spices & Grains

  • 3 tablespoons tikka masala curry paste
  • 300 g (10.5 oz) long grain rice
  • 1 litre (4 cups) vegetable stock

Instructions

  1. Fry Paneer: Heat olive oil in a large, deep pan over medium heat. Add paneer pieces and fry for 4-5 minutes until slightly crispy on all sides. Remove paneer from the pan and set aside.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pan, add diced onion and sliced red pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add finely chopped garlic, grated ginger, and chopped green chilli, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
  3. Add Spices and Rice: Stir in the tikka masala curry paste and cook for 1 minute to release its flavors. Add the long grain rice and toast it by stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes to coat the rice in the spice mixture.
  4. Simmer Rice: Pour in the vegetable stock and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, cover with a lid, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15-20 minutes until the rice absorbs most of the liquid and becomes tender.
  5. Combine Spinach and Paneer: Stir in the baby spinach and the fried paneer pieces. Cover the pan again and cook for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts and paneer is heated through.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh coriander over the biryani and serve hot, ideally accompanied by naan bread and your favorite chutney for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Use long grain basmati rice for the best texture and flavor.
  • You can adjust the green chilli quantity to regulate the heat level.
  • Paneer can be substituted with tofu for a vegan version; use vegan tikka masala paste accordingly.
  • Covering the pan tightly helps steam the rice perfectly.
  • Resting the biryani for 5 minutes after cooking can enhance flavors.

Keywords: Paneer Biryani, Easy Biryani, Vegetarian Biryani, Indian Rice Dish, One-Pot Meal, Tikka Masala Recipe, Paneer Recipe

Find it online: https://miarosetti.com/easy-paneer-biryani-recipe/