पनीर टिक्का
Paneer tikka live counter for weddings and events
Paneer tikka is the starter that almost every vegetarian wedding menu includes, chunks of paneer marinated and grilled until slightly charred at the edges. It is best served hot, straight off the grill.
What makes a good paneer tikka
Paneer tikka is made by marinating paneer cubes, along with capsicum and onion, in a thick yogurt-based mixture with ginger, garlic and spices for a few hours, then grilling or roasting them until lightly charred at the edges. The marination time matters, too short and the flavour stays on the surface, too long and the paneer can turn slightly rubbery. A good paneer tikka should be soft inside with a light smoky char outside, well-coated in marinade without tasting raw or overly tangy.
Where families order it
- Wedding starter counters
- Sangeet and cocktail evenings
- Live grill and barbecue counters
- Corporate and party starters
How much paneer tikka for your guests?
A rough planning figure for a menu with other dishes beside it. Baljeet sets the real amount once your menu is fixed.
Kitchen slip · Paneer Tikka
| 50 guests | about 6 kg |
|---|---|
| 100 guests | about 11 kg |
| 250 guests | about 25 kg |
| 500 guests | about 48 kg |
Approximate, cooked weight or pieces, no safety margin.
Ordered for weddings and events in Panchkula, Chandigarh, Mohali, Zirakpur and Kharar. Planning the whole menu? Try the food quantity calculator.
How is paneer tikka served at a wedding?
Paneer tikka is served hot off a live grill or tandoor counter, skewered and handed directly to guests rather than plated in advance, since it loses its texture once cold. It commonly appears at sangeet and cocktail evenings alongside other starters, served with a mint or coriander chutney on the side and a light sprinkle of chaat masala. At larger weddings it is usually one of two or three live starter counters. Because marination is done ahead of time, only the grilling happens close to serving guests.
Where does paneer tikka come from?
Paneer tikka developed as the vegetarian counterpart to meat tikka dishes cooked in tandoors, gaining popularity across North India from the mid-20th century as tandoor cooking spread from Punjab into restaurants and later catering menus nationwide. It became a near-standard starter at Punjabi weddings because it offered vegetarian guests a smoky, grilled option comparable to non-vegetarian starters like chicken tikka. Its charred, marinated style also made it well-suited to live cocktail and sangeet evening counters, where the visual appeal of grilling matters as much as taste.
How it keeps
Best served fresh off the grill; marinated paneer can be refrigerated for a day before cooking, but grilled tikka does not hold its texture well once cold and reheated.
Don’t worry, we will take care of you
Paneer tikka works well as a live starter counter, which often means fewer separate starter items are needed, helping keep the overall starter budget in check.
Tell us your budget →Paneer Tikka: what people ask
How much paneer tikka is needed for a wedding starter counter?
About 11 kg is a common planning figure for 100 guests when it is one of two or three starters. Baljeet confirms the exact amount for your event.
Is paneer tikka served as a live counter?
Yes, it is most often served hot off a live grill or tandoor counter, since freshly grilled tikka tastes noticeably better than one made in advance and reheated.
Can paneer tikka be made Jain-friendly?
The standard marinade uses ginger and garlic, so a Jain version would need those left out. Ask Baljeet about a Jain-style paneer tikka option.
Why is paneer tikka best served from a live counter?
Grilled paneer tikka turns slightly rubbery once it cools and is reheated, so serving it fresh off a live grill or tandoor counter keeps the texture soft and the char smoky.
What is usually served with paneer tikka?
It is typically served with a mint or coriander chutney and a light dusting of chaat masala or lemon, kept simple so the smoky, marinated flavour of the paneer stands out.
Don’t worry, we will take care of you
Tell us how many guests you have and how much you can spend. Baljeet plans a full, proper menu around that amount. He says plainly what it covers, with no hidden extras, whether it’s a 40-guest path at home or a 600-guest wedding.