Chunks of
paneer, a type of
fresh cheese, are marinated in spices and are then arranged on a stick with
capsicums (bell peppers),
onions and
tomatoes. These sticks are grilled in a
tandoor and the dish is thereafter served hot, seasoned with
lemon juice and
chaat masala.[9] It is sometimes accompanied by
salad or
mint chutney.[10]Tikka dishes traditionally go well with mint chutney.[11] The paneer, though tender, has a crisp singe on the surface.[12]
Variations
When paneer tikka is served with a sauce, it is called
paneer tikka masala.[13] It is also served in a wrap, as paneer tikka roll, where the paneer tikka is wrapped into an
Indian flatbread and served.[2][14] A variant of paneer tikka is also made as a
kebab.[15]
Over the years, there have been several variations, such as Kashmiri paneer tikka, where the paneer is stuffed with chopped
almonds and grilled,[16] a variety of
Chinese food, paneer tikka masala
chow mein,[17] and
dosa stuffed with paneer tikka.[18]
International
fast-food chains in India have also incorporated paneer tikka into their menus. For example,
Pizza Hut and
Domino's offer a paneer tikka topping on their
pizzas,[19][20] whereas
Subway offers a paneer tikka sandwich[21] and
McDonald's has a paneer tikka wrap on its menu.[22]ITC's Bingo brand of
potato chips has experimented with a paneer tikka flavour of chips.[23] Prior to that, in 2003,
Nestle's
Maggi experimented with a ready-to-cook variety of paneer tikka.[24] Other companies also offer spice mixes and ready-to-eat variants of paneer tikka.[25]