Paneer Tikka

Paneer Tikka is a popular vegetarian dish from India, made from marinated paneer (cottage cheese) cubes grilled or roasted in a tandoor or on a skewer. It’s a staple in Indian cuisine and is enjoyed for its tender, juicy, and flavorful pieces of paneer. This dish is perfect for vegetarians, as paneer is a high-protein, low-fat source of calcium.

History of Paneer Tikka

Paneer Tikka has its roots in the northern region of India, where it’s believed to have originated in the Mughal era. It has since spread throughout the country and is now a popular dish in Indian restaurants around the world. The dish was traditionally cooked in a tandoor, a clay oven that gives the paneer a smoky flavor and a charred exterior. Today, it’s often made on a skewer or in an oven.

Types of Paneer Tikka

There are several different variations of Paneer Tikka, each with its own unique flavor and ingredients. Some popular types include:

• Classic Paneer Tikka
• Butter Paneer Tikka
• Malai Paneer Tikka
• Sizzler Paneer Tikka
• Paneer Tikka Masala

Paneer Tikka Recipe

Ingredients:

• 250g paneer, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
• 2 teaspoons coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• 2 tablespoons oil (use Cold Pressed Groundnut Oil)
• 1 bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces (optional)
• 1 onion, cut into 1-inch pieces (optional)
• Skewers (if grilling)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, salt, and kasuri methi.
2. Add the paneer cubes and vegetables to the bowl and mix well to ensure the marinade covers all the pieces.
3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
4. Preheat the grill or oven to high heat. If using skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
5. Skewer the marinated paneer and vegetables and place them on the grill or in the oven. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally until the edges are charred and the cheese is melted.
6. Serve hot with mint chutney or lemon wedges.

More Variants of Panner Tikka Dish:

with slight changes in ingredients and cooking methods, paneer tikka dishes can be enjoyed with some different flavors and aromas like Paneer Tikka Masala, Paneer Tikka Tandoori, Paneer Tikka Air fryer version, Paneer Tikka Pizza and Paneer Tikka Roll.  Let’s learn to cook them also.

Paneer Tikka Masala

Paneer Tikka Masala is a creamy and flavorful Indian dish made with marinated and grilled or roasted paneer in a spicy tomato-based sauce. Here is a simple recipe for Paneer Tikka Masala:

Ingredients:

• 250g paneer, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
• 2 teaspoons coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons coriander leaves, chopped

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, salt, and kasuri methi.
2. Add the paneer cubes to the bowl and mix well to ensure the marinade covers all the pieces.
3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
4. Preheat the grill or oven to high heat. Skewer the marinated paneer and place it on the grill or in the oven. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally until the edges are charred and the cheese is melted.
5. In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
6. Add the chopped tomato and tomato paste to the pan and cook until the tomato is soft and the mixture is well combined about 5 minutes.
7. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a simmer.
8. Add the grilled or roasted paneer to the sauce and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
9. Serve hot, garnished with chopped coriander leaves and with rice or bread.

This recipe yields 4 servings of Paneer Tikka Masala. Enjoy!

Paneer Tikka Tandoori

Paneer Tikka Tandoori is a popular Indian dish made with marinated paneer (Indian cottage cheese) that is skewered and roasted in a tandoor oven or on a grill. The dish is characterized by its tangy flavor and charred, smoky taste. Here is a simple recipe for Paneer Tikka Tandoori:

Ingredients:

• 250g paneer, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
• 2 teaspoons coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 teaspoons chaat masala (optional)
• 2 teaspoons coriander leaves, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, salt, and oil.
2. Add the paneer cubes to the bowl and mix well to ensure the marinade covers all the pieces.
3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
4. Preheat the tandoor oven or grill to high heat. Skewer the marinated paneer and place it in the tandoor or on the grill. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally until the edges are charred and the cheese is melted.
5. Sprinkle chaat masala and chopped coriander leaves on top of the grilled paneer (optional).
6. Serve hot with mint chutney or a side of rice or bread.

This recipe yields 4 servings of Paneer Tikka Tandoori. Enjoy!

Paneer Tikka in Air Fryer

Paneer Tikka is a delicious and versatile dish that is easy to make and perfect for entertaining. With this recipe, you can enjoy this classic Indian dish right at home. Whether you grill it, roast it, or make it in an air fry