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!
150gramsgreek yogurt or thick yogurt (1/2 cup + 1-2 tablespoons)
1tablespoonginger-garlic paste
2tablespoonsmustard oil30 ml, or use oil of choice
2teaspoonscoriander powder
1teaspoonchaat masala
1teaspoonkashmiri red chili powder
3/4teaspoongaram masala
1/4teaspoonred chili powderor adjust to taste
1teaspoonkasuri methicrushed
1/2teaspoonsaltor to taste
1 lemonjuice of
2tablespoonschopped cilantro
2tablespoonschopped mint
300gramspaneercut into big cubes, around 2 heaping cups of cubes paneer
1largeonioncut into 1 inch cubes
1large bell peppercut 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
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.