Paneer Tikka

Paneer Tikka

Paneer Tikka

Veg

Marinated cottage cheese grilled in a tandoor — thick cubes of firm paneer marinated in yogurt, red chilli, turmeric, chaat masala, and mustard oil, skewered with capsicum and onion, and roasted in the tandoor until lightly charred and smoky. The exterior dries and caramelises while the inside stays soft and milky. The definitive vegetarian starter of North Indian restaurants. Eaten hot off the skewer with hari chutney.

Cuisines

Mughlai Punjabi Delhi Indian

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Recipe

Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min Total: 40 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

200 grams paneer, cut into cubes
1 cup thick yogurt
1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
1 teaspoon red chili powder
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon oil
salt to taste
1 onion, cut into squares
1 capsicum, cut into squares
1 tomato, cut into squares
skewers

Instructions

  1. 1 In a large bowl, mix yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, coriander powder, cumin powder, lemon juice, oil, and salt to form a marinade.
  2. 2 Add the paneer cubes, onion, capsicum, and tomato to the marinade and mix well to coat all pieces evenly.
  3. 3 Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
  4. 4 Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F).
  5. 5 Thread the marinated paneer, onion, capsicum, and tomato onto skewers, alternating between each ingredient.
  6. 6 Place the skewers on a baking tray lined with foil or parchment paper.
  7. 7 Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, turning the skewers halfway through, until the paneer is golden and the vegetables are slightly charred.
  8. 8 Remove from the oven and serve hot with mint chutney and lemon wedges.

Tips

For a smoky flavor, you can grill the paneer tikka on a barbecue instead of baking it in the oven.