Paneer tikka recipe (restaurant style)

Paneer tikka recipe on tawa and in oven. Tandoori paneer tikka is an immensely popular North Indian starter served in Indian restaurants. Paneer tikka literally translates to grilled chunks of Indian cottage cheese.  Paneer refers to Indian cottage cheese and tikka translates to chunks of grilled food, most often refers to meat.

These chunks are marinated in spiced yogurt and grilled in tandoor. The resulting chunks are delicious, flavorful and pairs so well with anything.

Traditionally paneer tikka was made in clay ovens known as tandoor. With time and trend now they are also made in electric ovens and even on gas stove using tawa (Indian griddle/pans). I am sharing both the methods i.e paneer tikka in oven and on tawa using gas stove or stove top.

No matter whether we make on tawa on stove top or in oven or in tandoor or barbeque, the marinade made is standard and same. This recipe yields a delicious starter that is just like the one served in restaurants.

Making paneer tikka is a frequent affair at home. Since I use them in so many ways like wraps, sandwich, pizza and even for making fusion fried rice and for making paneer pulao.

To make paneer tikka, I have not used any food color. Adding oil to the marination helps to get a good color from turmeric and red chili powder. Use a good and enough quantity of chili powder to get a vibrant color.

You can find the recipe of mint chutney here.

Step-by-step photos

Preparation for paneer tikka

1. To make this recipe, we need greek yogurt or hung curd (thick curd). If you do not have thick curd, you can check this post on how to make hung curd. I have used thick curd here. If you use runny yogurt, it will let out lot of whey while grilling and all the masala will come off to the tray.

Cube paneer to 1½ inch cubes. Keep aside. Then choose 1 large onion and bell pepper. Rinse and cube them to almost the same size of paneer. Do not chop them small as they shrink after grilling. Separate the layers of onions.

Make a fine paste of 1 inch ginger & 3 cloves of garlic. We need about 1¼ fine paste.

Making marinade

2. To a mixing bowl, add 6 tablespoons thick curd, 1 to 1½ teaspoon red chili powder, 1/8 teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 to 1½ teaspoon coriander powder, 1 teaspoon garam masala and ¼ to ½  teaspoon chaat masala.

3. Add 1¼ teaspoon ginger garlic paste, 1 teaspoon kasuri methi, ¼ to ½  teaspoon ajwain (carom seeds, optional) and 1¼ tablespoon besan (optional, gram flour). If making on griddle or tawa do not skip besan as it helps to hold the curd well to the paneer tikka. It also brings out a good flavor and will avoid messing up the tawa.

Optional: Alternatively for restaurant flavor, you can roast the besan in oil until fragrant and then cool it. Later mix with the marinade. This is done by many chefs for that extra flavor. I haven’t done it here but I do it a lot of times.

4. Add 1½ tablespoon oil. I have used mustard oil, you can also use any other oil.

5. Mix everything well. The marinade must be thick. Taste the marinade and add more salt and spices if needed.

6. Add capsicum and onions. Coat them well with marinade.

How to make paneer tikka

7. Move the veggies to one side of the bowl and add 200 grams cubed paneer and gently coat them as well. Handle with care they may break.

8. Cover and rest them in the fridge for an hour. If you leave them for too long, sometimes they break when you thread them on to the skewer later.

9. Next begin to thread them on skewers. With the quantities mentioned in the recipe card you can thread them on 3 large or 4 small skewers. Paneer tikka on tawa and oven were made at 2 different times so the number of skewers seen in the pictures will not match the recipe.

Making on griddle

10. If making on griddle or tawa, heat a tawa with 1 tablespoon oil. When it turns hot, place the skewers in the center and grill them on a medium heat.

11. Finally turn them around to grill evenly until they turn golden.

Remove paneer tikka to a serving plate, squeeze lemon juice and sprinkle some chaat masala if you prefer. Serve paneer tikka hot with onion, lemon wedges and mint chutney.

Making paneer tikka in oven

Preheat oven to 430 F or 220 C for at least 15 to 20 mins. If using an OTG choose, grill option. Place the skewers on a tray lined with greased foil or parchment paper.

Grill for 10 to 12 mins. Then move the tray to the top rack and broil for 2 to 3 mins. Do adjust the timing depending on the kind of oven and the thickness of the paneer cubes. Avoid overcooking them else they turn rubbery, chewy and hard.

Brush paneer tikka with mustard oil. Squeeze some lemon juice and serve hot with mint chutney.

Smoking paneer tikka: for a real smoky restaurant style paneer tikkas sometimes we smoke them with a hot charcoal after grilling. To do this I place a small steel bowl in the tray. Then hold a wood charcoal piece with tong and hold it over direct flame until red hot. Next keep it in the bowl and pour half teaspoon ghee.

You will begin to see fumes immediately. Cover the tray with another foil and let smoke for 5 to 6 minutes. You will be surprised at how smoky, aromatic and delicious your paneer tikkas will taste.

Tips to make best paneer tikka

Use thick curd or greek yogurt for the marinade. Avoid using runny curd with lots of whey in it. Runny curd will let out lot of moisture while grilling and the masala will come over to the tray or pan.

Gram flour is optional. However it adds a unique nutty aroma to the paneer tikkas. It is a secret ingredient used in some restaurants for that unique aroma.

Mustard oil is most commonly used to grill tikkas. If you do not have just replace with any cooking oil. But you will miss out that smoky & pungent flavor.

Veggies like onions and bell peppers are always used as they both impart a nice flavor to the paneer tikka. You may skip them if you do not have.

Use good quality paneer for those soft tikkas. Avoid those having corn starch added to them as they turn out rubbery and chewy. Sometimes I use this homemade paneer. So I do not soak it in warm water prior to using.

You may like to check Paneer recipes
Paneer popcorn
Paneer pakora
Paneer tikka masala
Paneer butter masala
Matar paneer
Kadai Paneer

Recipe

Paneer tikka recipe (restaurant style)

Paneer tikka is very a popular starter made using Indian cottage cheese. Restaurant style paneer tikka is marinated in spiced yogurt mixture and then grilled usually in a clay oven known as tandoor. To make paneer tikka you can use a electric oven, a gas stove.

Pin Recipe Print Recipe

1x2x3x

Prep Time1 hour

Cook Time15 minutes

Total Time1 hour 15 minutes

Servings3 people

AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )

Ingredients for paneer tikka

• 1½ tablespoon oil (preferably mustard oil)
• 1 to 1½ teaspoon red chilli powder (mild variety)
• ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric (haldi)
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 to 1½ teaspoon coriander powder (optional)
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon chaat masala (optional)
• 1 teaspoon kasuri methi or dried fenugreek leaves
• 1¼ teaspoon ginger garlic paste
• 6 tablespoons greek yogurt or thick hung curd (¼ cup + 2 tbsp) (refer notes)
• 200 grams paneer (cut to 9 cubes)
• 1 large onion – 10 to 12 cubes layers separated
• 1 red capsicum – 6 to 8 cubes
• 1 green capsicum – 6 to 8

Optional ingredients

• 1 tablespoon mustard oil for brushing the tikkas (optional)
• 1 tablespoon gram flour (besan (optional))
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon carom seeds (ajwain (optional))

How to make the recipe

Preparation to make paneer tikka

• Stir together thick yogurt (refer notes), chilli powder, garam masala, turmeric, coriander powder, kasuri methi, chaat masala, ginger garlic paste, oil and salt.
• Optional for restaurant flavor – In a small pan, mix besan with the oil called for in the recipe and fry on a low heat until fragrant. Cool this and mix in the marinade along with ajwain.
• Mix everything well and check the salt and spice. If needed add more salt and chilli.

Marination

• Add the cubed capsicum and onions. Mix well. Then add paneer cubes and gently coat them with the marinade.
• Cover and rest this in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours. Overnight marination may break the paneer.
• Begin to thread the chunks of capsicum, onion and paneer alternately on the skewer.
• If making in oven, you can use large bamboo skewers. If making on tawa, you can use small ones. You will be able to thread these on 3 large or 4 small skewers.

Making paneer tikka in oven.

• Preheat the oven at 430 F or 220 C for at least 15 mins.
• Prepare a baking tray and line a parchment paper.
• Place the skewers on the tray. Spray oil to avoid the veggies from drying out.
• Grill them for 10 to 12 mins. Move the tray to a higher rack and broil for 2 to 3 mins.
• Do adjust the grill timings based on your oven and the size of paneer cubes. Over cooking may char them. When they are golden, take them off the oven.
• If desired brush paneer tikka with butter or mustard oil. Serve them with mint chutney, onion and lemon wedges.
• Optional: For restaurant flavors, Place a small steel bowl in the serving plate. Burn a wood charcoal piece on direct fire until red hot. Keep it in the bowl. Pour ½ tsp ghee over it. It should begin to smoke immediately. Cover with a foil and let it smoke for 5 to 6 mins.

How to make paneer tikka on tawa or gas stove

• Heat a tawa with 1 tbsp oil and spread it evenly all over.
• When the tawa is hot enough, place the skewers and cook on a medium heat.
• Keep checking and turning them around to all sides for even grilling.
• When they turn golden, transfer them to a serving plate.
• Serve paneer tikka hot as a appetizer or a side in your meal.

Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

Video

Video of paneer tikka

NUTRITION (estimation only)

Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 327mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1815IU | Vitamin C: 85.8mg | Calcium: 381mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Notes

Greek yogurt or thick curd

If you do not have greek yogurt or hung curd (thick curd), add about 1 ½ cups of curd to a muslin cloth. Squeeze off and drain the excess whey from curd.

Tie a knot and hang it to a hook for 1 to 2 hours. If the climate is hot, put it in fridge.

It is very important to use strained yogurt or curd otherwise the marinade will turn runny and will not cling on to the paneer tikka.

If making paneer tikka on tawa or griddle

Do not skip using besan for the tawa method as it helps the curd to bind with the paneer well. Otherwise the marinade will turn runny and come on to the tawa while grilling then on pan/ griddle.

Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

If you are new to cooking, follow my detailed step by step photo instructions for best results.