🌶️ Paneer Thecha | Spicy, Crispy & Protein-Rich
✨ A bold, flavourful paneer dish coated in a classic Maharashtrian green chilli-garlic-coriander thecha, lightly pan-roasted until crispy on the outside while keeping soft and juicy inside. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or as a starter! ✨
Paneer Thecha is high in protein, low in oil, and bursting with fresh flavours from coriander, green chillies, garlic, and roasted peanuts. The paste coats each paneer cube perfectly, giving a spicy, nutty crunch that pairs wonderfully with rotis, rice, or wraps.
🛒 Ingredients
- Paneer – 200 g, cut into cubes
- Green chillies – 4–5
- Garlic – 5–6 cloves
- Coriander leaves + stems – a handful, roughly chopped
- Roasted peanuts – ¼ cup
- Jeera (cumin seeds) – ½ tsp
- Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
- Coarse salt – as needed
- Oil – 1.5 tsp (½ tsp + 1 tsp)
👩🍳 Instructions
Prepare the Thecha Paste
- Heat ½ tsp oil in a pan.
- Add garlic and green chillies, saute until chilli skin softens.
- Add jeera, saute for a second, then switch off the flame.
- Add coriander leaves + stems, mix, and let it cool to room temperature.
- Transfer to a mixer along with salt and roasted peanuts, grind coarsely (add little or no water).
- Stir in lemon juice and mix well.
Coat and Cook Paneer
- Coat paneer cubes evenly with the thecha paste.
- Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan.
- Place coated paneer on low to medium-low flame and cook until lightly crispy on all sides while remaining soft inside.
- Serve hot.
🌟 Tips
- ✅ Use homemade or low-fat paneer for best results.
- ✅ Don’t overcook the thecha; it’s meant to stay fresh and vibrant.
- ✅ Add extra coriander for colour and freshness.
- ✅ Can add finely chopped spinach or mint to the paste for variation.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Serve with roti, chapati, or ajwain paratha
- Pair with curd rice, dal rice, or wraps
- Makes a spicy starter or protein-rich tiffin addition
🔄 Variations
Spinach Thecha: Add a handful of spinach while grinding.
Minty Version: Add fresh mint for a refreshing twist.
Extra crunchy: Add extra roasted peanuts for texture.
No-garlic option: Skip garlic and increase coriander + jeera.
Paneer Crumble: Instead of cubes, crumble paneer and sauté with thecha for a bhurji-style dish.
🧊 Storage
The thecha paste alone stays 2–3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
Coated paneer is best cooked fresh.
Once cooked, paneer thecha stays 24 hours refrigerated; reheat on tawa, not microwave, to keep texture intact.
💪 Nutritional Benefits
High Protein: Paneer provides complete protein.
Healthy Fats: Fresh peanuts add good fats + crunch.
Rich in Vitamin C & Antioxidants: Thanks to coriander, green chillies, and lemon.
Low Oil: Makes it weight-friendly and heart-healthy.
✨ A wholesome, spicy, and crispy Paneer Thecha — simple, protein-packed, and absolutely irresistible!
🎥 Video Tutorial
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