If you love rich, creamy curries with bold flavors, you’re going to adore my Paneer Tikka Masala! This dish brings together crispy, marinated paneer cubes and a fragrant, spiced tomato-based sauce that’s smooth, savory, and full of delicious depth. It’s perfect for cozy dinners, especially when paired with some hot naan or basmati rice. My family always gets excited when this one’s on the menu—it’s a big hit with both vegetarians and meat lovers! Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
The combination of grilled paneer and aromatic spices makes this curry irresistible. And the best part? You can control the spice level to suit your taste, so no worries if you’re not a fan of heat!
Why You’ll Love Paneer Tikka Masala
This dish is the ultimate comfort food with a twist! The crispy, grilled paneer cubes soak up the flavorful masala sauce, which is rich from a mix of tomatoes, cream, and spices. It’s packed with protein and can easily be made gluten-free if you’re serving it with rice. The smooth sauce, combined with the smoky paneer, makes each bite a little piece of heaven.
What You’ll Need to Make Paneer Tikka Masala
For the Paneer Marinade:
- 1 block of paneer (about 250g), cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- Salt to taste
For the Tikka Masala Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, minced
- 2 medium tomatoes, pureed
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (optional)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
How to Make Paneer Tikka Masala
- Marinate the paneer: In a bowl, combine yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, red chili powder, and salt. Add the paneer cubes and mix well, making sure the paneer is coated evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (you can marinate it for longer if you want more flavor).
- Grill the paneer: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat a grill pan on medium-high heat. Place the marinated paneer cubes on a baking sheet or in the grill pan, and cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden and slightly charred. If you’re using a grill pan, you can also brush the paneer with a little oil to prevent sticking.
- Make the tikka masala sauce: Heat the oil or ghee in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté for 5-7 minutes until they turn golden brown. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the spices: Stir in the cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and red chili powder. Cook for another minute to let the spices bloom.
- Add the tomatoes and simmer: Pour in the pureed tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. If the sauce gets too thick, you can add a splash of water to reach your desired consistency.
- Add the cream and paneer: Stir in the cream (or coconut cream for a dairy-free option) and salt. Add the grilled paneer cubes and gently mix to coat the paneer with the sauce. Let it simmer for another 5-7 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve the Paneer Tikka Masala hot with naan, rice, or even a side of veggies. Enjoy!
More Relative Recipes:
- Pineapple Lemonade
- Deliciously Cheesy Baked Pizza Spaghetti
- Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies
- Butternut Squash Sausage Tortellini Soup
- Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball
Fun Variations
You can easily customize this dish to suit your preferences! If you prefer a spicier sauce, add more red chili powder or fresh green chilies. For a smoky flavor, you can cook the paneer on the stovetop in a grill pan and finish it with a little smoked paprika. You can also add vegetables like peas, bell peppers, or spinach to the sauce to make it heartier.
How to Make It Healthier
To make this dish lighter, you can use low-fat yogurt and reduce the amount of cream. You can also add extra veggies to the sauce to increase the fiber content. For a lighter protein option, swap the paneer for tofu, which will absorb the flavors of the masala just as well.
Ideal for Special Occasions or Family Dinners
Paneer Tikka Masala is a perfect dish for any special occasion, whether it’s a holiday, a family gathering, or a dinner with friends. It’s rich, comforting, and guaranteed to impress everyone at the table. Plus, it’s a great vegetarian option for those who want a hearty meal without any meat.
FAQs
- Can I use store-bought paneer instead of homemade?
Yes, store-bought paneer works perfectly! Just make sure to press it a bit to remove any excess moisture, and you’ll get the same great result. - Can I make this dish vegan?
Absolutely! To make it vegan, simply swap the paneer for tofu or vegan cheese, and use coconut cream instead of dairy cream. It will be just as delicious! - Can I skip grilling the paneer?
If you’re short on time, you can skip the grilling step and cook the marinated paneer directly in the sauce. It won’t have the charred flavor, but it will still be tasty. - How can I adjust the spice level?
You can control the spice level by adjusting the amount of chili powder and red chili flakes in the recipe. For a milder version, reduce or omit the chili powder, and for extra heat, add fresh green chilies or more chili powder. - Can I store leftovers?
Yes, Paneer Tikka Masala stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat it gently on the stovetop, and it’ll taste just as good as when it was freshly made!
Paneer Tikka Masala
Ingredients
For the Paneer Marinade:
- 1 block of paneer about 250g, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder adjust to taste
- Salt to taste
For the Tikka Masala Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1- inch piece of ginger minced
- 2 medium tomatoes pureed
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder optional
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Marinate the paneer:
- In a bowl, mix the yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, red chili powder, and salt. Add the paneer cubes and coat them evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or longer for extra flavor).
- Grill the paneer:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat a grill pan on medium-high heat. Place the marinated paneer cubes on a baking sheet or in the grill pan. Grill for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and slightly charred. If using a grill pan, brush the paneer with a little oil to prevent sticking.
- Make the tikka masala sauce:
- Heat the oil or ghee in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté for 5-7 minutes until golden. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for 1-2 minutes more until fragrant.
- Add the spices:
- Stir in cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and red chili powder. Cook for another minute to let the spices bloom.
- Add the tomatoes and simmer:
- Pour in the pureed tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Add a splash of water if the sauce gets too thick.
- Add the cream and paneer:
- Stir in the cream (or coconut cream) and salt. Gently add the grilled paneer cubes and mix to coat them with the sauce. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes so the flavors can blend together.
- Serve:
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve your Paneer Tikka Masala with naan, rice, or veggies. Enjoy!
Notes
- Marinate the paneer for a longer time to enhance the flavor even more.
- If you’re short on time, you can skip grilling the paneer and cook it directly in the sauce.