Paneer Tikka is a hot, smoky and authentic Indian appetizer dish. It is usually made with paneer (Indian cottage cheese), and veggies that are marinated in a flavorful yogurt marinade and traditionally grilled in a tandoor. Here I have shared the recipe for Paneer Tikka with easy step-by-step instructions for you to try and enjoy at home.
I have also shared a detailed video of this recipe to make the cooking process simple. This Paneer Tikka can be easily made in oven, air fryer or stove top and can be served as an appetizer, side dish or an entree for your lunch and dinner.
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What is Paneer Tikka?
Paneer Tikka is an authentic Indian appetizer dish popular for its rich aroma, smoky and spicy flavor. It is usually made with paneer cubes, bell peppers, thick yogurt, and fresh spice powders. The term Paneer refers to Indian cottage cheese and Tikka refers to small pieces of meat or veggies marinated in a spicy mixture.
The paneer cubes and veggies are usually marinated in a thick yogurt marinade and allowed to rest for long hours. This helps the flavors to infuse well into the paneer and veggies. Then the paneer and veggies are threaded into skewers and grilled in a hot clay pot called tandoor.
This Paneer Tikka is one of the most popular dishes from Indian cuisine especially in the North part of India. It is also one of the popular dishes in most Indian restaurants typically as an appetizer.
Here I have shared how to make Paneer Tikka using a grilling pan without compromising the restaurant-style flavor and taste. So let's check out how to make it below.
Ingredients
The ingredients you will need to make this Paneer Tikka is mostly Indian pantry staples. The ingredients can be easily available in most Indian grocery stores around. So let's check what are they below.
- Paneer - I have uses store brought whole milk paneer here, and you can also use malai paneer to achieve similar results
- Bell Peppers - Onion, green and red bell peppers gives nice flavor and taste to your tikka
- Spice Powders - I have used paprika, coriander, tandoori masala, cumin and turmeric powder to the marinade. You can also use ajwain, chaat masala, amchur and pepper powder to enhance the flavor
- Kasuri Methi - It is nothing but dried fenugreek leaves and it gives a fresh aroma to your dish
- Hung curd/Greek Yogurt - Thick hung curd or greek yogurt helps as the base for the marinade
- Gram Flour - Gram flour or besan helps to creat a perfect coating for the paneer and veggies
- Mustard Oil - Gives the authentic and unique flavor to your tikka
- Wooden Skewers - I have used wooden skewers to get that restaurant style look and you can also grill them without it
How to make Paneer Tikka?
The recipe I have shared here is a classical Paneer Tikka made with freshly prepared homemade marinade. Here I have used a grilling pan but you can also make it in the oven or air fryer. The recipe yields 10 tikka skewers and it is a perfect dish to enjoy when you crave a restaurant-style dish at home.
Following are the high-level instructions to make this dish but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photo and video, please check out the recipe card below.
- Dilute Paprika in Oil - In a bowl, pour mustard oil and add paprika. Mix until the paprika dilutes with the oil. This helps to get a deep red color to your dish
- Add in the Spices - Now add coriander, tandoori, cumin and turmeric powder, salt, ginger-garlic paste, curd, and gram flour. Mix until everything is incorporated well
- Add in the Paneer and veggies - Now add the paneer cubes, red, green bell pepper, and onion. Mix gently with your hands until the marinade coats well on all paneer and veggies
- Rest it 30 mins - Close the bowl with a lid and allow it to rest for at least 30 minutes
- Thread to a Skewer - Now take a wooden skewer and insert the marinated onion, bell pepper, paneer alternatively. Make sure to be handle the skewers safely as they may prick you
- Grill the Paneer and Veggies - Now in a grilling pan with medium heat, drizzle some oil and place the skewers
- Cook on all Sides - Allow the paneer and veggies to cook on all sides. Make sure to rotate on all the sides to cook the veggies and paneer evenly or until you notice a nice golden and charred texture
- Remove and Serve - Remove the Paneer Tikka from heat and it is ready for you to taste and enjoy. Serve this delicious Paneer Tikka with lemon wedges, green chutney, and onions as an appetizer or side dish
Tips
- For Taste and Flavor - The best taste and flavor lies in the Tikka marinade and using quality fresh spice powders, thick yogurt/curd, and mustard oil gives the best flavor and taste to this dish
- Grilling Method - Even though traditionally paneer tikka is made in huge tandoor ovens, here I have made it in a grilling pan which gives a similar taste and flavor
- Cooking Time - For the grill pan method, I have roasted the paneer and veggies for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. And I suggest rotating on all sides while roasting to get evenly cooked and charred tikkas
- Cooking Temperature - Always roast the paneer in medium heat and add the screwers once your iron griddle is nice and hot
- Add Oil to keep the Paneer Moist - You can also brush some oil or butter during the roasting/grilling process to keep the paneer moist and juicy without turning hard
- Best Paneer - I have used store brought whole milk paneer and you can also use malai paneer to achieve similar results. If your store-bought paneer is hard then I suggest soaking them in warm water for 15 minutes to make it soft. Drain the paneer from water and then use it in your recipe
- Don't Over Cook - Make sure not to overcook the paneer as it might turn rubbery and hard
- Air-Fryer - You can also air fry the tikka in an air fryer at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 8 minutes. Open and brush with some mustard oil or butter and air fry them again for 2 minutes
- Oven - To make it oven, bake the screwers in the preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 12 minutes. Open and brush them with some mustard oil or butter and again bake them for 5 minutes. Finally set the oven to broil mode to low and broil for 2 to 5 minutes
- Serving - Serve this finger-licking paneer tikka with lemon wedges, onions, and some green chutney as an appetizer or side dish for your
Storage Suggestions
You can store the leftovers in the refrigerator for a day. You can drizzle some oil and reheat it again in the pan or you can also use the paneer and veggies to make curries. And you can also store the left-over marinated paneer and veggies in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish with some cilantro or green chutney, lemon wedges, onions as an entree, side dish, or appetizer for your meal.
Related Recipes
You can also find similar paneer recipes below and more at Indian recipes and appetizer recipes.
You could also find Tandoori Chicken, and Grilled Salmon if you are looking for different kinds of grilled recipes.
Paneer Tikka Recipe video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Paneer Tikka Recipe below that I hope will help you to make a restaurant-style appetizer at home. And you could also find this recipe in story format.
📖 Recipe
Paneer Tikka
Ingredients
- 1 lb Paneer, cut into cubes
- 2 tbsp Mustard Oil
- 2 tsp Paprika
- 1½ tsp Coriander Powder
- 1½ tsp Tandoori Masala Powder
- ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 tsp Cumin Powder
- 2 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
- 3 tsp Gram Flour
- 3 tbsp Hung curd , or plain greek yogurt
- Salt, as needed
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Kasuri Methi, crushed
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, cut into cubes
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, cut into cubes
- 1 Onion, cut into cubes and layers separated
- 2 tbsp Oil, for grilling
Instructions
To Marinate the Paneer
- In a bowl, pour mustard oil and add paprika. Mix until the paprika dilutes with the oil
- Now add coriander, tandoori, cumin and turmeric powder, salt, ginger-garlic paste, curd, and gram flour. Mix until everything is incorporated well
- Now add the paneer cubes, red, green bell pepper, and onion. Mix gently with your hands until the marinade coats well on all paneer and veggies
- Close the bowl with a lid and allow it to rest for at least 30 minutes
To Make Paneer Tikka
- Now take a wooden skewer and insert the marinated onion, bell pepper, paneer alternatively and it is now ready to be grilled
- Now in a grilling pan with medium heat, drizzle some oil and place the skewers
- Allow the paneer and veggies to cook on all sides. Make sure to rotate on all the sides to cook the veggies and paneer evenly or until you notice a nice golden and charred texture
- Remove the Paneer Tikka from heat and it is ready for you to taste and enjoy
To Serve
- Serve this delicious Paneer Tikka with lemon wedges, green chutney, and onions as an appetizer or side dish
Video
Notes
- For Taste and Flavor - The best taste and flavor lies in the Tikka marinade and using quality fresh spice powders, thick yogurt/curd, and mustard oil gives the best flavor and taste to this dish
- Grilling Method - Even though traditionally paneer tikka is made in huge tandoor ovens, here I have made it in a grilling pan which gives a similar taste and flavor
- Cooking Time - For the grill pan method, I have roasted the paneer and veggies for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. And I suggest rotating on all sides while roasting to get evenly cooked and charred tikkas
- Cooking Temperature - Always roast the paneer in medium heat and add the skewers once your iron griddle is nice and hot
- Oil - You can also brush some oil or butter during the roasting/grilling process to keep the paneer moist and juicy without turning hard
- Paneer - I have used store brought whole milk paneer and you can also use malai paneer to achieve similar results. If your store-bought paneer is hard then I suggest soaking them in warm water for 15 minutes to make it soft. Drain the paneer from water and then use it in your recipe
- Don't Over Cook - Make sure not to overcook the paneer as it might turn rubbery and hard
- Air-Fryer - You can also air fry the tikka in an air fryer at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 8 minutes. Open and brush with some mustard oil or butter and air fry them again for 2 minutes
- Oven - To make it oven, bake the skewers in the preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 12 minutes. Open and brush them with some mustard oil or butter and again bake them for 5 minutes. Finally set the oven to broil mode to low and broil for 2 to 5 minutes.
- Serving - Serve this finger-licking Paneer Tikka with lemon wedges, onions, and some green chutney as an appetizer or side dish for your meal
Nutrition
FAQ
Paneer Tikka is an authentic Indian appetizer dish popular for its rich aroma, smoky and spicy flavor. It is usually made with paneer cubes, bell peppers, thick yogurt, and fresh spice powders. The term Paneer refers to Indian cottage cheese and Tikka refers to small pieces of meat or veggies marinated in a spicy mixture.
Yes, you can use butter if mustard oil is not handy. But I suggest using mustard oil to achieve the authentic taste and flavor to your dish,
Yes, you can make this recipe oven or air fryer.
Yes, Paneer is a good source of protein and it is also grilled in a pan or oven which requires less oil. This makes this dish not too oily. But always make sure to consume it in moderation to lead a healthy life.
I really hope you enjoyed the recipe that I have shared here and I would love to hear from you on how it turned out for you. Please let me know.
If you have any other questions, feel free to post them in the comment section below and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Happy Cooking!
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