Paneer Tikka Skewers

This easy paneer tikka skewer recipe delivers ultra-tender cubes of paneer soaked in a restaurant-style paneer tikka marinade with simple pantry spices. Skewered with colourful veggies like bell peppers, these protein-packed skewers can be quickly seared to perfection in just minutes.

Craving that perfect charred, juicy paneer tikka from your favourite restaurant but don’t have an oven or tandoor? Dont worry, I’ve got the secret to making insanely delicious, smoky no-oven paneer tikka skewers right on the stovetop!

I’am sharing everything I know about the ultimate tawa paneer tikka recipe with bell peppers, from the extremely flavourful marinade to the list of mistakes to avoid for perfect charring every time.

Plus, these healthy stovetop paneer tikka skewers are ideal for weight watchers providing a solid nutrition boost. These tasty skewers can also be prepped ahead for easy protein-packed paneer tikka bowls for meal prep. So let’s dive into the secrets behind these ultra craveable no-oven paneer tikka skewers!

Ingredients for Paneer Tikka Marinade

Creating that flavour-packed restaurant-worthy marinade is easier than you think! I’m using pantry staples like yogurt, spices, and lemon juice to deliver big, bold flavours that perfectly tenderize the paneer.

⭐️ Hung Curd – Forget watery marinades that leave your paneer feeling lackluster! Hung curd is the secret weapon you need for this recipe. Hung curd not only boosts flavour, but also tenderizes the paneer, ensuring each bite is a juicy, blissful experience.

☑️ Lemon Juice – A squeeze of lemon juice right before marinating brings a lovely tanginess and brightness to the paneer tikka. The acid also helps tenderize the cheese cubes even further.

☑️ Spice Blend – I love turning up the heat with a custom blend of turmeric powder, chaat masala, kasuri methi, kashmiri chilli powder, garam masala, cumin, and other aromatics. This builds incredible depth of flavour. This recipe isn’t too spicy though.

Step-By-Step Method for No-Oven Paneer Tikka

Let’s walk through the paneer tikka marinade method from start to finish:

Step 1: Prep Paneer + Veggies

Dice firm paneer into 1 to 1 1⁄2 inch cubes. Cut the bell peppers to a similar size as the diced paneers. This ensures even frying while they are on the pan.

Step 2: Assemble Marinade Ingredients

Whisk together hung curd, spice blend, lemon juice, garlic, and ginger in a bowl. Stir in oil and salt. This creates our flavour-packed marinade base.

Step 3. Marinate Paneer and Veggies

Add the paneer pieces and coat thoroughly with prepared marinade. Now add in all the veggies and give them a nice coat. Just remember to be gentle with paneer. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours up to overnight. Refrigerate for a minimum of one hour if you are in a hurry.

Step 4. Skewer Paneer and Veggies

Thread paneer onto skewers alternating with bell peppers, onions etc.

Step 5. Sear Skewers on Stovetop

Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Place marinated skewers in pan and sear until charred and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Non-stick pans work best. We recommend against preparing this on a cast iron grill since paneer tends to adhere to the cast iron, producing undesirable results.

Step 6. Finish with Lime

Right before serving, squeeze fresh lime juice over skewers. Garnish with cilantro if you like them that way.

Top Tips for No-Oven Paneer Tikka Success

• Always marinate the paneer overnight whenever possible. This allows the spices and yogurt to deeply tenderize the cubes.
• Use metal or bamboo skewers instead of wood. They hold up better on the stovetop without burning or splintering.
• Skewer the paneer and vegetables after marinating. This ensures that the ingredients are evenly coated prior to skewering.
• Clean grill pan thoroughly before use for the perfect sear without sticking.
• Don’t overcrowd pan when searing and leave a gap between the skewers. Cook skewers in batches if needed.
• Use whole milk Greek yogurt for thicker consistency to better coat ingredients if you don’t have hung curd.
• Add kashmiri red chilli powder to give a bright red colour to the marinade without amping up the heat.
• Squeeze lime juice over skewers right before eating for a burst of freshness.
• Pair with rice, naan or stuff into wraps for delicious meal options.
• Top your skewers with creative garnishes too like cilantro, fried onion crisps or toasted nuts. The possibilities are truly endless!

Let us know how your homemade no-oven paneer tikka skewers turn out by leaving a comment below! What unique twists will you be trying with these craveably tasty skewers? I can’t wait to hear your experiences in the kitchen!