Paneer Kheer | Chanar Payesh Recipe | How to make Chenna Kheer or Paneer Payasam
Paneer Ki Kheer, Fresh Paneer is a delicious milk dessert/pudding made with fresh crumbled paneer/chenna. It is delicious in milk till thick pudding like consistency, flavoured with cardamom/saffron.
When served chilled it tastes almost like rasmalai. It is a royal dessert rich in flavours and with nuts, perfect for any festive occasion or when in mood to enjoy a chilled a bowl of chilled homemade dessert.
About the Recipe
Indian Cottage Cheese Pudding or Paneer ki Kheer or is one of the easiest and quick kheer recipe that can be made in few minutes and tastes divine.
It known with different names in different regions of India. In North India it is popular as Paneer/Chenna Kheer. In West Bengal it is known as Chanar Payesh, in Orissa as Chenna Kheeri and Paneer Payasam in South Indian states.
It tastes like rabri or rasmalai crumbled in thickened milk. A healthy dessert perfect for all the age groups, light on the stomach and you can also have it on fasting days like Navratri, Ekadashi, Janmashtami or Shivratri.
It's a kind of royal(shahi) treat, the aroma from cardamom, crunch from the nuts and the color of saffron makes it a perfect dessert to make and serve to guest during parties and festivals.
Serve this thick and creamy desserts to your guests on get-togethers and potlucks/ parties or festive gatherings like Diwali, Rakshabandhan Eid, or Durga Pooja.
Why you should try Paneer Kheer/Chenna Kheer
- Paneer Payasam/Paneer Kheer can be made with basic ingredients available in your pantry.
- You can make it anytime as the basic ingredient is milk and nuts.
- It is a good source of protein and calcium as it made with milk and it's by product Paneer/Chenna.
- Kids and everyone in the family will love.
- It is a royal flavour treat. Make it for regular weekdays or or special occasions.
- You can make for fastings days as well and it gives you energy boost and protein.
Ingredients for Paneer Kheer/Chanar Payesh
To make it you can use homemade Paneer or Chenna or store bought Paneer. This kheer tastes best when chilled. Whenever in a mood to have something royal but in short time make this Shahi Paneer Kheer and enjoy the divine taste.
Making this royal treat is quite easy if you have Paneer in hand.
How to make Paneer at home
(Refer Video for how to make Paneer/Chenna)
- Paneer can be easily made at home. It takes only 10-15 mins.
- Boil milk in a pan. When it boils lower the flame and simmer it for 2-3 mins.
- Add juice of 1 lemon/1 tbsp vinegar to curdle it.
- Switch off the flame and let it sit for few mins. Let the curdled milk cool a bit and then strain the whey( water leftover after straining). You can use a cheesecloth/muslin cloth to strain paneer.
- Squeeze out the extra water and rinse it once more in fresh water. This takes out the taste of lemon and vinegar form paneer/chenna.
- Gather the cheesecloth and then again squeeze out extra water and keep a vessel or bowl filled with water or some heavy object. This takes out extra water from paneer. Leave for about 1-2 hr and then use it as required.
- You can directly use it in making kheer or any the recipes like Paneer Bhurji or refrigerate in an airtight container. It stays good for about 2-3 days.
- Since it is a milk product so the shelf life is less. You can cut in cubes and freeze also
Check here the detailed post on how to make homemade Paneer/Chenna recipe click on the link Homemade Paneer.
How to make Paneer Kheer/Chenna Kheer/Chanar Payesh
- In a pan or Kadhai, keep milk to boil. Flame of the gas should be low and keep stirring in between to avoid burning milk at bottom.
- Boil milk for 5-10 mins., it will start to thicken.
- Add saffron strands and cardamom powder. You can skip adding cardamom /saffron. Add rose water a lovely refreshing taste.
- Also, add chopped nuts like almonds, cashew nuts, pistachios and raisins.
- When milk starts to thicken add crumbled Paneer,
- Keep on stirring the milk and keep the flame to low. Let the kheer cook for few minutes, when it gets the desired thick consistency, add sugar and mix well.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes and switch off the flame.
Stepwise pics to make Chenna Kheer/Chanar Payesh
Serving Suggestions
It tastes best when served chilled. The texture of this kheer is almost like Rasmalai !! soft and juicy crumbled paneer cooked in paneer with rich cardamom flavour!! So divine!!
Storage Suggestions
Refrigerate Paneer kheer in an airtight container. Consume it within 2-3 days after making it. Do not freeze it as milk will curdle after thawing it and the texture and taste will not be good.
FAQ's
Paneer Kheer is healthy as it is made with fresh paneer and milk, which are the rich sources of protein and calcium. It is especially good for kids. You can adjust the amount of sugar as per your preference or dietary restrictions on sugar levels.
Paneer Kheer is not Vegan as it is made with dairy milk. People who are lactose intolerant /vegans can still enjoy this dessert. Use crumbled tofu and any plant based milk like soy, almond milk. The consistency may differ.
You can make Paneer Kheer with store bought paneer also. But, I prefer making it with fresh homemade paneer/chenna. You can crumble or grate paneer and use in the recipe accordingly.
Checkout other dessert recipes with Paneer/Chenna
More milk based Pudding recipes that should definitely give a try
Chawal ki Kheer, Kesariya Malai Rabri, Chocolate Pudding, White Chocolate Pudding, Fruit Custard, Apple Kheer, Phirni, Aam Ki Phirni, Paan Phirni, Instant Rabri, Sheer Khurma.
Lot of other sweet and savory recipes which may interest you with Paneer.. do checkout this collection- Paneer Dishes
Recipe Card
Paneer Ki Kheer/Paneer Payasam/Chenna Kheer or Chanar Payesh Recipe
Equipment
- Heavy Bottomed Pan/Non-Stick Pan
- Ladle
- Measuring Cups
Ingredients
- ½-¾ Cup Fresh Paneer/Chhena(Indian Cottage Cheese) homemade/store bought
- 1 l Milk
- ¼-½ Cup Sugar or as required
- 2 tbsp Silvered Almonds and Cashew Nuts
- ¼ tsp Cardamom Powder
- 4-5 Saffron strands optional
Instructions
- Keep milk to boil in a heavy bottomed pan on medium flame. After the first boil comes lower the flame and let the milk thicken.
- When the milk starts to thicken add crumbled Paneer/Chhena, crushed or finely chopped nuts(almonds, cashew nuts or pistachios), cardamom powder and saffron.
- Cook for another 5-10 minutes till it thickens to desired consistency. Switch off the flame and keep to cool then refrigerate
- Garnish with more nuts and serve chilled
Video
Notes
Make this simple, yummy and royal kheer for dessert on any festive occasion or for everyday meals and am sure you and your loved ones will love this pudding. This is a GLUTEN-FREE PUDDING is so apt for those who have gluten allergies.
Whenever you try these do share your feedback with me and in comments section get in touch if you have any queries.
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Swati
Mireille Roc (@ChefMireille)
one of my favorite kheer's . - love this creamy and rich kheer. I need to make it soon again!
mayurisjikoni
Wow, the kheer looks so thick creamy and inviting. I've yet to try using paneer to make kheer. Does it taste similar to rasmalai?
Jolly
I love also thick kheer & I usually made with milk only never tried with paneer. Kheer looks so tempting with a perfect texture. Great share
Melanie varey
I have never heard of a pudding like this but I imagine it’s delicious with those nuts included. Lovely
shobhakeshwani
The kheer looks rich and the texture is just perfect.. I somehow don't like thin watery kheer