Paneer tikka or Paneer Soola^[1] or Chhena Soola is an Indian dish made from chunks of paneer/ chhena marinated in spices and grilled in a tandoor.^[2][3] It is a vegetarian alternative to chicken tikka and other meat dishes.^[4][5][6] It is a popular dish that is widely available in India and countries with an Indian diaspora.^[7][8]

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]

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]

•  Food portal