Restaurant-Style Chana Paneer – Better Than Dhaba

Restaurant-Style Chana Paneer: Learn how to make restaurant-style Chana Paneer (Chole Paneer) at home with chickpeas, paneer, and rich Punjabi gravy. Easy, flavorful, and protein-packed.

 

By Amit Kaul
Location: India
Published on: June 6, 2026 

 

Restaurant-Style Chana Paneer (Chole Paneer) 🔥 | Protein-Packed Punjabi Delight

Chana Paneer (Chole Paneer) is a rich Punjabi-style curry that combines the goodness of protein-rich chickpeas and soft paneer cubes in a flavorful onion-tomato gravy. This restaurant-style recipe delivers a perfect balance of spices, creamy texture, and dhaba-style flavor that pairs beautifully with naan, roti, or jeera rice.

If you love both Chole Masala and Paneer Curry, this recipe brings the best of both worlds into one delicious dish.

https://digitalamitkaul.online/restaurant-style-palak-paneer-secret-recipe/

Ingredients

🫛 Main Ingredients

1. 1½ cups boiled chickpeas (chana)
2. 250g paneer cubes
3. 2 onions (finely chopped)
4. 3 tomatoes (pureed) 🍅
5. 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
6. 2 green chilies 🌶️

🌿 Spices

1. 1 tsp cumin seeds
2. 1 tsp coriander powder
3. 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
4. ½ tsp turmeric
5. 1 tsp chole masala ⭐
6. ½ tsp garam masala
7. 1 tsp kasuri methi
8. Salt to taste

🧈 For Richness

1. 2 tbsp butter
2. 1 tbsp oil
3. 2 tbsp fresh cream (optional)

🌿 Garnish

1. Fresh coriander leaves
2. Ginger juliennes

Restaurant-Style Chana Paneer – Step-by-Step Recipe

🔥 Step 1: Prepare the Base

Heat oil and 1 tbsp butter in a kadai.
Add cumin seeds.
Add onions and sauté until golden brown.

🧄 Step 2: Add Aromatics

Add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies.
Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

🍅 Step 3: Cook the Masala

Add tomato puree.
Add coriander powder, chili powder, turmeric, chole masala, and salt.
Cook until the oil starts separating.

🔥 This is the key to restaurant-style flavor.

🫛 Step 4: Add Chickpeas

Add boiled chickpeas.
Mix well and cook for 5 minutes.

Add a little water to achieve the desired gravy consistency.

🧀 Step 5: Add Paneer

Add paneer cubes gently.
Simmer for 4–5 minutes on low flame.

👉 Avoid overcooking paneer.

🧈 Step 6: Restaurant Finish

Add the remaining butter.
Sprinkle garam masala and kasuri methi.
Add cream if using.

Mix gently and switch off the flame.

🍽️ Best Served With

Butter Naan 🫓
Garlic Naan
Tandoori Roti
Jeera Rice 🍚
Lachha Paratha

💡 Restaurant Secrets

✔ Use freshly boiled chickpeas for the best texture

✔ Mash 2–3 tbsp chickpeas into the gravy for thickness

✔ Butter and kasuri methi create the restaurant’s aroma

✔ Add ginger juliennes before serving

✔ Slightly smoky charcoal finish makes it dhaba-style

https://chillybite.com/street-style-paneer-angara-recipe/

Restaurant-Style Chana Paneer – Variations

🧈 Butter Chana Paneer

Add extra butter and cream.

🌶️ Dhaba Style Chole Paneer

Add green chili paste and charcoal smoke.

🥜 Rich Punjabi Version

Add cashew paste for a silkier gravy.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

Amit Kaul is a food content writer and digital publisher based in India. He specializes in creating original, experience-driven recipes and home-cooking guides. All recipes published on this website are personally researched, tested, and written by him, following Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) guidelines.