Paneer Tikka
Mar 14, 2019, Updated Sep 10, 2019
Paneer Tikka is popular Indian appetizer made with cubes of paneer & veggies marinated with yogurt and spices. Traditionally it's grilled in a tandoor but you can make the same version in the oven with this easy recipe!
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Make restaurant style Paneer Tikka at home with this easy recipe!
Cubes of paneer, onion and bell peppers are marinated with spices and yogurt and then roasted in the oven to perfection.
Traditionally paneer tikka is grilled in a tandoor but you get the same amazing taste by broiling in the oven too!
Paneer Tikka was one appetizer which we always ordered when we ate out in India.
It is also one of those things which is universally loved. So my brothers who love their non-vegetarian food otherwise wouldn’t mind two servings on this paneer tikka.
What is Paneer Tikka
So what actually is paneer tikka?
It’s a famous Indian appetizer where pieces of paneer (Indian cottages cheese) and marinated with yogurt and spices and then grilled until charred.
Onion, bell peppers and tomatoes are also added to the marination along with paneer.
Once cooked, it’s served with cilantro mint chutney, onion slices and lemon wedges.
How to Make Paneer Tikka
The process is pretty simple, you marinate the paneer with spices and yogurt, let it sit for a bit so that the flavors mix well together and then arrange the paneer cubes along with onion and peppers in a skewer and grill.
However, the taste of paneer tikka lies in its marination of course.
So to make a good paneer tikka you first need to make a very good marinade.
My marinade includes lots of spices and Greek yogurt. Now if you can’t find Greek yogurt that’s okay. You may use regular yogurt too, just make sure to strain it for 3-4 hours before using.
You really need thick yogurt to marinate the panner cubes.
This paneer tikka marinade has
✓ Greek yogurt
✓ Spices like chaat masala, coriander powder, red chili powder
✓ Mustard oil, for that unique flavor
✓ Cilantro & mint, for freshness and taste
✓ Lemon juice for tanginess
Traditionally paneer tikka is grilled in tandoor for that authentic taste and flavor.
But the good news is that you can make a fantastic version at home by roasting it in the oven!
The broiling in the oven gives it that charred look. You guys have to try this!
Making Paneer Tikka In the Oven
For this recipe, I have cooked the tikka in the oven. Now when you cook the paneer in the oven, it might get rubbery and chewy.
So how do you avoid that?
First thing, spray the tikka with oil before putting it in the oven.
Second, since paneer is cheese it doesn’t need to be cooked for a long time. If you plan to eat the paneer tikka immediately they you can cook it for more time.
But say you are making it for a party, you would need the pieces to remain soft even after they have cooled down, so make sure to not over-cook in the oven.
Here’s what I suggest!
Bake at 450 F degrees for 10 minutes and then turn on the broil. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes until paneer pieces look charred.
If you want paneer even more softer- bake at 450 F degrees for 5 minutes and broil for 3 to 4 minutes.
Making Paneer Tikka on Stove-Top
Can you make this on stove-top if you neither have a grill not an oven.
Yes, you can make the tikka on stove top.
A grill pan will work best but if you don’t have that a simple pan or tawa will also work. Line all the paneer pieces with onion and peppers in a skewer and then place on the pan.
Remember to spray the pan with a oil spray first.
Cook from both sides until it’s golden brown in color. It would still taste good!
Always remember to serve the tikka with a sprinkle of chaat masala and side of cilantro chutney. There’s no other way to eat it!
Method
1- Whisk the yogurt in a large bowl until smooth. I have used greek yogurt here, you can use regular yogurt just make sure to strain it for several hours until you have thick yogurt left and then use in the recipe.
2- Add all the ingredients for marinade to the yogurt- ginger garlic paste, mustard oil, coriander powder, chaat masala, kashmiri red chili powder, garam masala, red chili powder, kasuri methi and salt.
3- Whisk to combine everything together.
4- Add in juice of 1 lemon along with chopped cilantro and mint. Mix well.
5- Stir in the paneer cubes, onion and bell peppers.
6- Mix until all the paneer pieces and veggies are well coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for minimum for 1 hour or up to 4 hours. Overnight also works!
7- After 1-2 hours, take the marinated paneer and veggies out of the refrigerator. Take a skewer and arrange paneer, onion and peppers on a skewer, alternating with each other.
Make all skewers similarly. Meanwhile pre-heat oven to 450 F degrees. Make sure you pre-heat the oven for good 15-20 minutes.
8- Arrange all the prepared skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spray the tikka with a oil spray. This is important so that the veggies don’t dry out.
Bake at 450 F degrees for 10 minutes and then turn on the broil. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes until paneer pieces look little charred.
Remove from oven, squeeze lemon juice, sprinkle chaat masala and serve with cilantro chutney.
If you want the paneer to be even softer, bake at 450 F degrees for 5 minutes and then broil for 3 to 4 minutes. Don’t overcook the paneer else it will gets really tough and chewy, you want it soft.
If you’ve tried this Paneer Tikka Recipe then don’t forget to rate the recipe! You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram to see what’s latest in my kitchen!
This post has been updated from the recipe archives, first published in 2015.
Paneer Tikka
Ingredients
- 150 grams greek yogurt or thick yogurt (1/2 cup + 1-2 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 2 tablespoons mustard oil 30 ml, or use oil of choice
- 2 teaspoons coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon chaat masala
- 1 teaspoon kashmiri red chili powder
- 3/4 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder or adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon kasuri methi crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 lemon juice of
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons chopped mint
- 300 grams paneer cut into big cubes, around 2 heaping cups of cubes paneer
- 1 large onion cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 large bell pepper cut into 1 inch cubes, I used mix of red and green peppers
cilantro mint chutney, to serve
onion slices, to serve
lemon wedges, to serve
Instructions
- Whisk the yogurt in a large bowl until smooth. I have used greek yogurt here, you can use regular yogurt just make sure to strain it for several hours until you have thick yogurt left and then use in the recipe.
- Add all the ingredients for marinade to the yogurt- ginger garlic paste, mustard oil, coriander powder, chaat masala, kashmiri red chili powder, garam masala, red chili powder, kasuri methi and salt.
- Whisk to combine everything together. Add in juice of 1 lemon along with chopped cilantro and mint. Mix well.
- Stir in the paneer cubes, onion and bell peppers.
- Mix until all the paneer pieces and veggies are well coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for minimum for 1 hour or up to 4 hours. Overnight also works!
- After 1-2 hours, take the marinated paneer and veggies out of the refrigerator. Take a skewer and arrange paneer, onion and peppers on a skewer, alternating with each other.Make all skewers similarly. Meanwhile pre-heat oven to 450 F degrees. Make sure you pre-heat the oven for good 15-20 minutes.
- Arrange all the prepared skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spray the tikka with a oil spray. This is important so that the veggies don't dry out.
- Bake at 450 F degrees for 10 minutes and then turn on the broil. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes until paneer pieces look little charred.
- Remove from oven, squeeze lemon juice, sprinkle chaat masala and serve with cilantro mint chutney.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Came out so perfect at the first time must try recipe 😍
so glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Manali,
I wrote in earlier , recipe works perfectly. Everyone loved it but I have a lot left and I was wondering if you could guide me on how to carry it forward. Thank you.
I made an extra large batch. What we cooked was excellent, it would be a shame to waste the rest. How can I store the marinated paneer and veges? How long would it last in the fridge or can I freeze it please. Hope to hear from you soon.
fridge should be okay for 3 days. I have never tried freezing the marinated paneer sorry.
Made these for the first time and earned rave reviews from hubby who absolutely loves paneer tikka!! This recipe is a keeper for sure 🙂
glad to know!
Can we use malai paneer? Won’t it fall apart as it’s usually super crumbly
you can use, place in fridge to firm up a bit and then bake
Hi Manali,
I have been following your recipes for quite sometime now. I have a question and I am hoping you can answer. Can I refrigerate this paneer tikka after baking in the oven?
yes, re-heat in oven or air fryer
Hey Manali, thanks for sharing the recipe! I made the skewers and marinade as per your directions and the taste was much appreciated. Very authentic flavors, thank you! Only question is we grilled the skewers on a BBQ grill (not oven) – that did dry out the paneer and veggies. I guess as per the directions in your recipe it’s important to use an oven, and do we need to grill with a foil lid on to keep the steam in?
you can try with steam, maybe they were cooked for too long over the grill and hence dried out. Also a good quality paneer makes a difference to the final outcome
I’ve made this today and it was a huge hit with my family. Very flavorful.
Hey manali!
Tried this today – and it was the best! Was super easy and your measurements were super accurate. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
glad to know!
Lovedddd it. So flavorful. Also got the hubby to eat and relish paneer after a long break(as he usually doesn’t like the milky taste).
Very nice recipe
But when I put the veggies and paneer on skewers may be wood steel it breaks so how can I do
hmm if paneer is firm it will not break, try store bought paneer
Can it be made with home made paneer?
I would make it with store bought since homemade paneer is on the softer side and tikka needs big blocks of firm paneer
Amazing taste Manali !!!
glad to know Aditi!
tried making it today. totally loved it manali. a quick and mouthwatering delicacy.
Tried this recipe along with the cilantro chutney today! Turned out soooo good! Much better than I’ve ever had from a restaurant!
awesome!
HI
Can I use soft paneer for this as I have some. If not what can I cook with it
thank you
paneer tikka needs form blocks of paneer. USe it in some other recipes, there are so many paneer recipes on the blog. Use the search button please
your panner tikka recipe was amazing i made this recipe this weekend at home all loved this . thanks for sharing lovly recipe keep sharing .
Omg! I luv it❤️ luv it ❤️luv it❤️..it came out so delicious.. finger licking..I enjoyed it thoroughly till the last bite..Thank u Manali❤️
you are welcome Ruchi!
Manali, you rock!! Have been trying some of your recipes last few weeks and each one has been fabulous (After multiple failed efforts over the years, I can now make dosas and bhaturas at home ?)…..tried this paneer tikka recipe today and it was one of the best I have ever had, the marinade flavors were absolute bang on
Thank you for the wonderfully detailed and perfect recipes
so glad to know Megha! 🙂
If I use harder store bought paneer, do I need to soak it a bit first. I keep reading certain dishes you need to soak store bought.
Thanks
yes soak in warm water for 20-30 minutes, then use in the recipe
I made this last night and it was delicious! I’m definitely making it again.
would love to try it but can you pls suggest what can i substitute yogurt with as i am allergic to yogurt.
hmm maybe a mixture of cream cheese and heavy cream? and if you are allergic to dairy yogurt, just try plain almond milk yogurt, works great!
Hi Manali
Made paneer tikka using your recipe. It came out amazing. The flavours in the marinade lifted it to another level. Thanks ?
welcome 🙂 glad to know!
Can you grill these?
Thank you!
yes!
Dear Manali
Most of the food enthusiasts prefer to enjoy Paneer Tikki in their favourite restaurants. Your recipe is complete with ingredients, tips, about the subject, precautions and the various methods of preparations. I have gone thru your recipe for preparing over stove top and devices a small set up to prepare and enjoy at home.
I really appreciate the minute details which you have covered in the recipe and the documentation is extremely good.
I have repeated the steps in a different way, using gas stove top and skewers. I can share with you , if you are interested.
My email is
rangarajan.ramaswamy@gmail.com
Regards
Keep up your visionary thoughts.
Best wishes
Rangarajan Ramaswamy Bangalore 21 May 2020
How can I make it over the gas stove if not in oven.please help
instructions in the recipe, please read
What can I substitute for coriander powder I only have fresh coriander or corriender leaf ?
I would add some cumin powder and maybe bit more of garam masala, there’s no substitution really, just increase the other spices a bit.
YUM…Yum ..yum followed this recipe n taste was too good..Now I will cook only with Manali! God bless u!
When i put the paneer in oven, the water starts coming out of the yogurt which washes away all the marinate flavors. How do I prevent that?
Make sure the yogurt you use is very thick!
Very impressive blog, I learned a lot, thnxx for sharing this dish.
it is deliciois manali didi
Any suggestion for paneer cubes? I tried it today on cast iron skillet, but my paneer cubes fell off the skewer the moment I tried to turn it.
hmm refrigerate the paneer for a bit longer and then cook immediately, also use sturdier skewers..
Lovely marinade and the tips for the oven cooking were bang on! My family and I enjoyed it! Thank you!
Welcome Prajakti! glad to know 🙂
This is my absolute favorite and it turned out delicious, thank you for the amazing recipe!
You are welcome! glad you enjoyed!
I LOVE tikka. And I love paneer. Why have I never had paneer tikka?! Can I just come and live with you – then I could eat delicious things like this every night and I would be blissfully happy! Pinned!
haha you are always welcome Lindsey!
Oh yes dear…we had similar post..sorry that I visited so late…was going crazy last few days…looks super yummy and tempting!!….Loved it!!
Thank you Padma!
Grilled paneer?! YES!!! looks delicious!
Yes it’s amazing! thanks Alice!
This paneer looks amazing, Manali! That’s awesome that you grilled it, I can just imagine how flavorful this tastes with the yummy marinade too!
Grilling makes all the difference! Thanks Kelly!
Love this super yummy paneer anytime.Tasty paneer got a fantastic presentation as well.Pinned it manali
Thank you Sathya!
This paneer seriously looks SO awesome, Manali! I love how deeply-flavored that marinade sounds!! Perfection. 🙂
Thanks Sarah! It was very flavorful!
Paneer tikka is one of my absolute favorite! *drooling* and *pinning* 🙂
Thank you dear, it’s my favorite too!
Love paneer, this looks awesome! Pinned!
Thank you Mira!
Mmmm, paneer tikka loves droolicious, Manali! I would love to have a big platter right now! 🙂
I wish I could send you one! Thanks Anu! 🙂
This looks so good!! Pinning 🙂 paneer is the best.
Thanks Medha! 🙂
hi manali how are u? long time. i have been so busy, everything in office is so busy these days.
Loved the idea of kitchen king massala in paneer tikka. Beautiful pics:)
This looks soooooo inviting and tempting.
Thanks Shweta! Aww I hope you get some break from office work soon, doesn’t sound fun!
Beautiful clicks. Looks delicious Manali
Thanks Kushi!
I love paneer tikka Manali, this looks so good! Yum!!
Thanks Deepa! 🙂
I am loving this paneer, Manali! It looks so flavorful. And that dipping sauce, yum!
Thanks Jen! It’s indeed super flavorful! 🙂
I have never had paneer tikka…now I can’t wait to give it a try. They look droolworthy.
Thanks Angie! It’s delicious!
Wow, all of the flavors in this paneer are totally make my mouth water this morning, Malali! Well done! And the photo with the lemon? Perfect. Like seriously best photo ever. 🙂
Thank you David! and I’m glad you like the pic, I like it too! 😀
This paneer looks delicious, Manali! I love that dipping sauce that goes along with it. Sounds so perfect on the grill!
Thanks Gayle! Yes paneer tikka is no fun without the chutney!