Updated: The post was updated with step collages and ingredients shot. The recipe is the same with a slight variation in steps to make it quicker and easier. Paneer Reshmi Chicken Handi is a dairy-based Pakistan white boneless chicken curry that is served with naan. In this dish, cheddar cheese is used instead of paneer (cottage cheese) while cheddar cheese is never used in traditional South Asian cooking.
Origin
Just like Chicken 65, this Paneer reshmi handi originated in a famous restaurant. The restaurant is Kolachi located in Karachi, Pakistan. Then, it gradually made its place on the menu of all neighboring restaurants.I personally had it at 5 years ago and hubby also loved it. So, it’s a recent innovation to make chicken handi without tomatoes. Paneer is cottage cheese in Hindi and Urdu. Reshmi means silky, it refers to the silky smooth texture of the gravy. Handi means earthen pot. This curry is a merry fusion of East and West.
Ingredients
Unlike most South Asian curries that are laden with a number of spices, this white boneless chicken handi requires only five spices including salt. The visual shot of paneer reshmi handi is clearly labelled so I won’t list all ingredients again. I will just list the once about which I want to suggest substitute.
Chicken: I used chicken breast pieces, as we will use velveting technique here so the breast pieces will stay juicy. Ginger, garlic, green chili: I’m using paste of these spices, you can use roughly chopped or minced as well. Because we will eventually blend it. Veggies: I’m using capsicum and onion slices which are authentically used in malai handi, you can add less or more of these or skip it too. Other veggie options are corn and green onions. Onion: Do be confused to see onion twice in the ingredients list. We need two cuts of onions, one for gravy and another sliced cut for veggies in the gravy. Cheese: I’ve tried using cheedar, cream cheese and mozzarella in this recipe. Cheddar has more sharp taste that I like. Mozzarella cheese would give those cheesy strands in the handi that many won’t like and some would die for. Cream cheese give that super creamy taste. So it’s a personal choice. I’d suggest mix of cheddar and cream cheese. I used bare minimum cheese, the restaurants would add extra in this handi. Yogurt: Full fat or skim yogurt both works for this handi. If using greek yogurt, just use less as it is very rich and thick compared to regular yogurt. Cream: Use unsweetened full-fat cream, you can also use malai instead. Cumin and white pepper are not in the visual and both are optional, if unavailable.
How to make it?
For Gravy
Variation and Expert tips
A lot of the flavor of this chicken reshmi handi is derived from dairy ingredients that as yogurt cheese and cream (or malai). Fewer spices let the cheesy creamy flavor shine. Do not get tempted to add coriander powder or garam masala. The handi will taste like white karahi. NO! Do not make white sauce or flour base, it will be even worse. The flour-free handi with cheese and cream is light a fluffy gravy. The gravy is blended until smooth which makes the handi texture reshmi that is silky smooth. Avoid too much cooking after adding cream as the gravy can curdle. You can also use malai instead of cream in this recipe. That’s why it is also called malai handi. The coating of cornflour on chicken and stir-frying makes the chicken velvety soft. One pot food: All the cooking takes place in just one pot which reduces cooking time and effort. A handi is a clay cooking pot and handi should be made in a clay pot. To keep the recipe simple, I’m using a wok to make this handi. You can use a clay pot as well.
I’ve kept the recipe close to the original. But you can skip sauteed onion and capsicum if you don’t like it. This will keep the curry super smooth. You may add sweet corns or paneer pieces instead. Serve the piping hot handi with garlic naan. If you like lightly spiced creamy curries, you might like Chicken Paprikash by Europedishes too. Hungry for more recipes? If you try this Paneer Reshmi Handi recipe, I’d LOVE to hear your feedback in the comments. Your 5-ratings motivate me to do my best. Stay connected for more recipes and videos on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.
📖 Recipe
