This vegetarian spin on one of the most well-known dishes in Indian cuisine swaps the chicken for crispy grilled pieces of paneer. Try our paneer tikka masala recipe for your next weeknight dinner.

Homemade Paneer Tikka Masala Recipe

Paneer tikka masala is a vegetarian take on chicken tikka masala featuring [paneer cheese](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-paneer) and an optional assortment of vegetables marinated in yogurt and spices, added to a rich tomato-and-onion-based sauce. The dish marries the spiced yogurt marinade used in tandoori cuisine with a velvety, North Indian-style tomato gravy as seen in [butter chicken](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-perfect-indian-butter-chicken-recipe-and-techniques) (murgh makhani) or paneer butter masala. 

Like korma, which gets its creamy texture from freshly ground cashews and a finishing swirl of yogurt. Paneer tikka masala is typically served as a main course, alongside steamed [basmati rice](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-the-perfect-basmati-rice/), jeera rice (rice with whole cumin seeds), or flatbread.
For fans of palak paneer or matar paneer, paneer tikka masala offers crispy grilled cheese and the same bright blend of spices as Indian restaurant-style [chicken tikka masala](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-chicken-tikka-masala). Here are some tips to consider before making your own: 

1. __Try making homemade paneer__. Paneer, the “Indian cottage cheese,” is a fresh, unaged cheese made by pressing milk curds into a firm block. Paneer holds its shape when cubed and cooked, neither melting or crumbling apart when added to a sauce. It’s easy to make homemade paneer by curdling whole milk and draining the curds, but you can also find it in the cheese section in most grocery stores, alongside the [halloumi](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/halloumi-cheese-guide), mozzarella, and [feta](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-serve-and-store-feta-cheese).  
2. __Make it in a multi-cooker__. While homemade paneer tikka masala is often made on the stovetop or in a tandoor oven, you can also make the dish using a multi-cooker. To make the veggie-cheese masala in a multi-cooker, build the sauce with the sauté function, then cook on high pressure for 1–2 minutes after adding the tomatoes. Add the cream last to prevent separation. 
3. __Incorporate your favorite veggies__. You can add mushrooms, shishito, bell peppers, chickpeas, or even [summer squash](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/5-ways-to-cook-zucchini-summer-squash-basics-and-easy-recipes)—anything that would be an excellent addition to a grilled skewer—to the marinade along with the paneer.
This vegetarian spin on one of the most well-known dishes in Indian cuisine swaps the chicken for crispy grilled pieces of paneer. Try our paneer tikka masala recipe for your next weeknight dinner.

Paneer tikka masala is a vegetarian take on chicken tikka masala featuring <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-paneer' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-paneer","linkCopy":"paneer cheese","category":null}'>paneer cheese</a> and an optional assortment of vegetables marinated in yogurt and spices, added to a rich tomato-and-onion-based sauce. The dish marries the spiced yogurt marinade used in tandoori cuisine with a velvety, North Indian-style tomato gravy as seen in <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-perfect-indian-butter-chicken-recipe-and-techniques' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-perfect-indian-butter-chicken-recipe-and-techniques","linkCopy":"butter chicken","category":null}'>butter chicken</a> (murgh makhani) or paneer butter masala. Like korma, which gets its creamy texture from freshly ground cashews and a finishing swirl of yogurt. Paneer tikka masala is typically served as a main course, alongside steamed <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-the-perfect-basmati-rice/' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-the-perfect-basmati-rice/","linkCopy":"basmati rice","category":null}'>basmati rice</a>, jeera rice (rice with whole cumin seeds), or flatbread.

What Is Paneer Tikka Masala?

For fans of palak paneer or matar paneer, paneer tikka masala offers crispy grilled cheese and the same bright blend of spices as Indian restaurant-style <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-chicken-tikka-masala' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-chicken-tikka-masala","linkCopy":"chicken tikka masala","category":null}'>chicken tikka masala</a>. Here are some tips to consider before making your own: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Try making homemade paneer. Paneer, the “Indian cottage cheese,” is a fresh, unaged cheese made by pressing milk curds into a firm block. Paneer holds its shape when cubed and cooked, neither melting or crumbling apart when added to a sauce. It’s easy to make homemade paneer by curdling whole milk and draining the curds, but you can also find it in the cheese section in most grocery stores, alongside the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/halloumi-cheese-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/halloumi-cheese-guide","linkCopy":"halloumi","category":null}'>halloumi</a>, mozzarella, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-serve-and-store-feta-cheese' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-serve-and-store-feta-cheese","linkCopy":"feta","category":null}'>feta</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Make it in a multi-cooker. While homemade paneer tikka masala is often made on the stovetop or in a tandoor oven, you can also make the dish using a multi-cooker. To make the veggie-cheese masala in a multi-cooker, build the sauce with the sauté function, then cook on high pressure for 1–2 minutes after adding the tomatoes. Add the cream last to prevent separation. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Incorporate your favorite veggies. You can add mushrooms, shishito, bell peppers, chickpeas, or even <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/5-ways-to-cook-zucchini-summer-squash-basics-and-easy-recipes' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/5-ways-to-cook-zucchini-summer-squash-basics-and-easy-recipes","linkCopy":"summer squash","category":null}'>summer squash</a>—anything that would be an excellent addition to a grilled skewer—to the marinade along with the paneer. </li></ol>

3 Tips for Making Paneer Tikka Masala

Paneer Tikka Masala Recipe

This vegetarian spin on one of the most well-known dishes in Indian cuisine swaps the chicken for crispy grilled pieces of paneer. Try our paneer tikka masala recipe for your next weeknight dinner.

This vegetarian spin on one of the most well-known dishes in Indian cuisine swaps the chicken for crispy grilled pieces of paneer. Try our paneer tikka masala recipe for your next weeknight dinner.
