Paneer Fried Rice

Paneer fried rice recipe is a tasty and healthy variety rice dish you can make for kids lunchbox. You can make this fried rice easily in the lines of veg fried rice. Adding toasted paneer cubes or cottage cheese makes this rice makes it very tasty and nutritious also.

Here is how to make best paneer fried rice recipe with step by step photos. For more rice recipes please check turmeric rice, curried rice, ghee rice, jeera rice, cilantro lemon rice.

We love Indo Chinese fusion recipes at our home especially during weekends. I often make veg fried rice, veg noodles, chowmein paired with veg Manchurian or gobi Manchurian.

If I am making Indo chinese fare for guests I also make a clear soup and starters like chilli paneer, crispy corn, chili baby corn or chili potatoes. Homemade Indo Chinese fare is so much better than takeaways, non greasy clean and fresh!

Now coming to this paneer fried rice, this is a very good option for kids lunch box. This fried rice has loads of veggies and you can make it as spicy as you prefer. I make it moderately spiced with just a dash of soy sauce.

About This Recipe

Paneer fried rice is a delicious variation of classic fried rice with toasted paneer cubes or cottage cheese.

I first tasted this paneer fried rice in a small Chinese restaurant in Bangalore. It tasted very good and spicy, obviously it was drenched in sauces though. But while making at home, I add more veggies and minimum or no sauces.

Few recipes pass off some sort of spicy pulao as paneer fried rice but this recipe is true Asian style fried rice with sauces, spring onion and all. I have also added loads of vegetables in this fried rice with paneer. No spices or chilli powder is used in this recipe.

Paneer is a favorite among kids and rich source of protein. You can add paneer in many basic recipes and make paneer pulao, biryani, in mixed vegetable soup as topping quick stir fries and many more paneer recipes.

In this fried rice recipe paneer paneer takes up the flavor of sauces very well and tastes really well. To make this fried rice vegan, just use tofu instead of paneer. It is one of the popular dish in Indian Chinese restaurants.

You need cooked and cooled rice to make fried rice. Leftover rice works perfectly in this recipe. I usually use basmati rice for making fried rice but jasmine rice or any short grain rice will also taste good.

Do try out this easy recipe, it is super quick to make and suitable for all special occasions and parties too. This Paneer Fried Rice Recipe Is

Quick, simple & easy for lunch box

Very delicious & flavorful

Clean & healthy

gluten free & vegetarian

Moderately spiced, kids friendly

Ingredients

Rice– Always use cooked and thoroughly cooled rice to make any fried rice recipe. You can use leftover rice from previous meal you can use it easily. If I cook fresh rice for fried rice, I make sure it is at room temperature before tossing the cooked rice into the wok.

Paneer– Just like other paneer recipes, try to use best quality paneer for making fried rice. I prefer to use homemade paneer for its softness and nutrition. If using store bought paneer, make sure it is fresh. The secret to make store-bought paneer softer is to keep it soaked in warm water until using in recipe.

Vegetables– You can any of your preferred vegetables in this recipe. Vegetables are in fact optional here. You can make paneer fried rice with just onion and paneer too. I however like to pack in as much vegetables I can so I have added cabbage, bell peppers or capsicum, carrot, french beans, green onions or spring onions etc.

Sauces– the secret of restaurant style paneer fried rice is to add the appropriate sauces. I usually add a mix of soy sauce, vinegar and little but hot sauce or chili sauce. If you wish to experiment you can try adding schezwan sauce, oyster sauce, mushroom sauce etc.

If you wish to make paneer fried rice without sauces just skip them and increase black pepper powder and salt to your liking. You can add vinegar alone or some lemon juice just before serving.

Oil– Use sesame oil for making fried rice if possible. It adds a wonderful taste and has authentic aroma of Asian dishes. If it is not available just use any cooking oil.

Ginger garlic– Freshly minced ginger garlic is a must in fried rice for me. Frying ginger in sesame oil imparts a wonderful flavor to Asian dishes like stir fry. You can also ginger garlic paste.

How To Make Paneer Fried Rice Recipe

Cooking Rice

Measure 1 cup raw basmati rice and rinse just once to remove excess starch.

Soak in plenty of water for 30 minutes. Drain and spread on a plate for 5 minutes.

Add 2 cups water and few drops of oil in a heavy pan or pot.

Bring the water to a rolling boil keeping the pan open. Add salt to taste.

Add the drained rice to the boiling water and mix just once.

Keep the flame in medium and cover the pan. Cook for 8-12 minutes.

Remove from flame once all the water is absorbed. Spread the cooked rice on a plate and add few drops of oil. Fluff it up well. Set aside to cool thoroughly. If you have leftover rice you can use it too.

You can also use a pressure cooker to cook the rice. Add 2 cups water for 1 cup rice and pressure cook for 2 whistles in medium flame.

Preparing Vegetables & Paneer

While rice is cooling, get the ready the following vegetables.

1/2 cup carrot, finely chopped

1/2 cup cabbage, finely chopped

1/4 cup capsicum, finely chopped

1/4 cup onion, finely chopped

2 green chillies- minced

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon minced ginger

Next Cut paneer into bite size cubes. You will need 1 cup paneer cubes. I have toasted the paneer cubes here but it is optional step.

If using store bought paneer, cube and soak it in warm water for 20 minutes.

Making Paneer Fried Rice

Heat a pan or griddle and add 1 tablespoon oil. Spread well. Add the finely chopped paneer cubes. Toast until paneer changes golden brown in medium flame. You can toss the paneer in 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt mixed with 2 teaspoons water if you like.

Heat oil in a wok or heavy pan. Add crushed ginger garlic. Saute in high flame. Add spring onion whites. Saute well in high flame. Add chili flakes and saute well.

Add chopped vegetables and mix well. Saute in high flame for 3-4 minutes until the moisture in vegetables leave.

Add soy sauce, black pepper, chilli sauce and vinegar. Season with salt. Saute in high flame for 3 minutes.

Add the fried paneer cubes and mix well. Saute for a minute.

Add cooked and cooled rice and toss quickly. Garnish with spring onion greens.

Serve paneer fried rice hot.

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