Paneer Tikka
Yoghurt-marinated paneer and peppers charred on skewers.
Ingredients
- 400 g Paneer
- 1 Bell pepper
- 1 Red bell pepper
- 150 g Yogurt
- 2 tbsp Tandoori masala
- 1 Ginger
- 3 cloves Garlic
- ¾ tsp Salt
- 1 Lemon (optional)
Method
- Cube the paneer and peppers; grate the ginger and garlic.
- Mix the yoghurt with the tandoori masala, lemon, and salt, then coat the paneer and peppers in the marinade.
- Leave the paneer and peppers to rest in the marinade so the flavour soaks in.
- Thread the paneer and peppers onto skewers.
- Char the skewers under a hot grill or in a hot pan, turning, until blistered and hot through.
- Serve with mint chutney and lemon.
Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.
About Paneer Tikka
Paneer Tikka is the vegetarian icon of Indian tandoori cooking — cubes of paneer and sweet peppers marinated in spiced yoghurt, threaded onto skewers, and charred until blistered. Tikka refers to the bite-size pieces cooked on skewers in a tandoor, and this meat-free version has become a fixture on menus and at parties for good reason. The yoghurt marinade does double duty: its tang seasons the mild cheese while its coating clings and caramelises under high heat, so giving it time to rest before cooking genuinely pays off.
The result is smoky and slightly charred on the outside, soft and warm within, with the tandoori spice, ginger, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon cutting through the richness of the paneer. The peppers blister alongside and add sweetness and a bit of snap. High in protein and low in carbs, it works as a substantial appetiser or as the anchor of a light meal. Serve it hot off the skewers with cool mint chutney and lemon wedges — and while a grill gives the truest char, a screaming-hot pan gets you most of the way there.
Paneer Tikka: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Paneer Tikka?
A serving has about 376 calories — 21.6g protein, 15.2g carbs, 26.7g fat, 4.2g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Paneer Tikka gluten-free?
Based on its ingredients, Paneer Tikka has no gluten-containing components, so it's naturally gluten-free — as always, check that any packaged ingredients you use are certified gluten-free to be safe.
Is Paneer Tikka dairy-free?
Not as written — it uses Paneer, Yogurt. Swapping those for a plant-based alternative makes it dairy-free.
How long does Paneer Tikka take to make?
About 35 minutes start to finish, but only around 23 of those are hands-on — the rest is largely unattended cooking time you can step away from. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
Do I need every ingredient to make Paneer Tikka?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out lemon — it's optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Paneer Tikka make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.