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Peri Peri Paneer Tikka | Spicy Peri Peri Sauce | Paneer Recipes | Paneer Tikka | Chef Kunal Kapur

Chef Kunal Kapur Paneer & Dairy 40 Mins 4 Servings 173.1K views Feb 26, 2022
Grilled Peri-Peri Paneer Recipe is a quick and tasty paneer recipe where the paneer is marinated in a homemade per-peri sauce. Serve it along with some vegetables and drinks of your choice. Peri-peri, also known as piri-piri or the African Bird's Eye chile, is a hot pepper. These peppers grow wild in Africa but are now commercially produced in parts of Africa and Portugal and used in sauces and spices Do try my recipe of Peri-Peri sauce and let me know what you think! Happy cooking.

Ingredients & Measurements

Carefully curated and proportioned for authentic flavor balance. Adjust chillies and salt to your personal taste.

For Peri Peri Sauce/Marinade

  • Kashmiri Dried Red chillies - 15nos
  • Water - 1lt
  • Ginger (roughly cut) - 1½ tbsp
  • Garlic cloves - 6-7nos
  • Cumin - 1½ tsp
  • Cloves 3-4nos
  • Cinnamon (2” long) - 1 no
  • Salt - ¾ tsp
  • Lemon juice - ¼ cup
  • Tomato ketchup - ⅓ cup
  • Oil - ¼ cup

For veggies

  • Paneer cubes - 400 gms
  • Salt - 1tsp
  • Onion chunks - 1cup
  • Tomato chunks - 1cup
  • Yellow capsicum chunks - ½ cup
  • Green capsicum chunks - ½ cup
  • Spring onion bulbs - few
  • Wooden skewers (long) - few
  • Oil - for shallow frying

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

  1. 1
    Ingredient Preparation: Wash, prep, and accurately measure all fresh ingredients, aromatics, and spice blends as listed in the ingredients section.
  2. 2
    Sautéing & Blooming Spices: Heat oil or ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium flame. Add whole spices and aromatics (ginger, garlic, green chillies) to bloom their essential oils until fragrant.
  3. 3
    Building the Flavor Base: Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent or golden brown. Stir in tomatoes and ground spices (turmeric, coriander, chilli powder), cooking on medium-low heat until the oil begins to separate from the masala.
  4. 4
    Simmering to Perfection: Incorporate the primary ingredients (vegetables, paneer, lentils, or proteins) and simmer gently with warm water or broth until tender and deeply infused with flavor.
  5. 5
    Finishing & Garnish: Adjust seasoning with salt, sprinkle freshly crushed roasted kasoori methi and garam masala, and garnish generously with freshly chopped coriander leaves. Serve piping hot with roti, paratha, or fragrant basmati rice.

Chef Kunal's Pro Secret Tip

Always soak fresh paneer cubes in warm, lightly salted water for 10 minutes before cooking. If pan-frying paneer, do so for no more than 60–90 seconds per side on medium-high heat to preserve its velvety, melt-in-the-mouth texture and prevent rubberiness.

Recipe FAQs & Expert Advice

How long can I store leftover Peri Peri Paneer Tikka?

You can store leftovers in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. When reheating, warm on medium-low heat on the stovetop and add 2–3 tablespoons of warm water if the gravy has thickened in the fridge.

Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute paneer with extra-firm pressed tofu or roasted plant-based paneer alternatives. Replace dairy butter/ghee with mustard oil, coconut oil, or refined groundnut oil.

What is the key technique to get restaurant-style flavor in this dish?

Focus on blooming whole spices in hot oil first, patiently sautéing the onion-tomato masala until oil separates, and finishing with a pinch of crushed roasted kasoori methi and freshly ground garam masala right before serving.