Sizzling Tandoori Chicken Recipe: Simple Spicy Magic at Home

Tandoori chicken represents a vibrant culinary journey through rich Indian spice traditions.

Bold marinades elevate ordinary poultry into an extraordinary sensory experience.

Aromatic blends of warm spices dance across tender meat, creating depth and complexity with each bite.

Traditional cooking methods infuse incredible flavor profiles that tantalize taste buds.

Marination techniques ensure succulent results that melt in your mouth.

Cultural heritage shines through every carefully seasoned morsel of this beloved dish.

Prepare to unlock a world of deliciousness that will transport your senses.

Tandoori Chicken: A Bold and Flavorful Meal

• Savor Bold Flavor Explosion: The tandoori marinade combines tangy yogurt with vibrant spices, creating an intense taste profile that transforms ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering culinary experience.
• Master Effortless Exotic Cooking: This recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal kitchen skills, allowing home cooks to easily prepare an authentic Indian dish without complicated techniques or expensive equipment.
• Protein-Packed Healthy Meal: With an impressive 50g of protein per serving, this low-carb chicken dish supports muscle development and provides robust nutrition while keeping calorie intake moderate at 470 kcal.
• Quick Marinating Magic: The simple 4-hour marination process infuses deep, complex flavors into chicken, ensuring tender, juicy meat that's packed with aromatic spices and guaranteed to impress dinner guests.

Essential Ingredients for Tandoori Chicken

• Plain Yogurt: Creamy base that tenderizes and adds tangy flavor to the chicken.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acidic component that helps break down proteins and enhances overall taste.
• Vegetable Oil: Helps bind spices and create smooth marinade consistency.

• Tandoori Masala, Garam Masala: Classic Indian spice mix that provides deep, warm, and complex flavor profile.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that highlights other spice flavors.
• Red Chili Powder: Adds heat and vibrant color to the marinade.

• Chicken Pieces: Protein base of the dish, preferably bone-in thighs or drumsticks for maximum flavor.
• Fresh Coriander Leaves: Bright green herb that adds fresh, herbal finish to the dish.
• Lemon Wedges: Provides zesty, fresh citrus accent when served alongside chicken.

How to Make Tandoori Chicken

Step 1: Whip Up A Flavor-Packed Marinade

• Plain yogurt
• Fresh lemon juice
• Cooking oil
• Tandoori spice blend

Stir everything until the mixture looks smooth and vibrant.

Step 2: Coat And Chill The Chicken

Completely cover chicken pieces with the marinade, ensuring every inch gets delicious seasoning. Seal in a container or ziplock bag and let it rest in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight for maximum flavor absorption.

Step 3: Prepare Cooking Surface

Heat your grill to medium-high or preheat the oven to 400°F. Make sure the cooking surface is clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Grill Or Bake To Perfection

Place marinated chicken on the grill or baking sheet. Cook until the meat is fully done and develops beautiful char marks. Flip occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent burning. Chicken is ready when internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 5: Serve With Fresh Garnish

Transfer cooked chicken to a serving platter. Sprinkle freshly chopped coriander leaves on top. Add lemon wedges on the side for an extra zesty kick. Enjoy your tantalizing tandoori chicken hot and fresh!

Tips for Perfect Tandoori Chicken

• Marinate Masterfully: Let chicken soak in yogurt mixture for at least 4 hours to ensure deep flavor penetration and tender meat.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe and perfectly cooked protein.
• Char with Care: Watch chicken closely while grilling to achieve beautiful grill marks without burning the exterior.
• Spice Balance: Adjust tandoori spice blend to personal heat preference, adding more or less cayenne pepper for desired kick.
• Rest and Relax: Allow grilled chicken to rest 5-10 minutes after cooking to lock in juices and enhance overall taste and tenderness.

Storing and Reheating Tandoori Chicken

• Refrigeration: Store leftover tandoori chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the chicken will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheating Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Microwave Option: For quick reheating, place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, sprinkle a few drops of water to maintain moisture, and heat in 30-second intervals until thoroughly warmed. Avoid overheating to prevent toughening the meat.

Pairing Tandoori Chicken with Naan or Raita

• Pair with Cooling Raita: Create a creamy yogurt-based side with cucumber, mint, and a pinch of cumin to balance the spicy tandoori chicken's intense flavors.
• Complement with Crisp Indian Lager: Choose a Kingfisher or Taj Mahal beer to cut through the rich marinade and refresh the palate with its light, clean taste.
• Serve alongside Fragrant Basmati Rice: Prepare saffron-infused basmati rice to soak up the flavorful tandoori chicken juices and provide a delicate, aromatic base for the dish.
• Match with Tangy Mango Chutney: Offer a sweet and zesty mango chutney that adds a bright, fruity contrast to the smoky, spiced chicken.

Fun Variations of Tandoori Chicken

• Vegetarian Tandoori Tofu: Replace chicken with firm tofu, pressing and cutting into cubes before marinating for similar spicy flavor and protein-packed alternative.
• Tandoori Chicken Skewers: Thread marinated chicken pieces onto wooden skewers for easier grilling and more attractive presentation, perfect for outdoor cooking.
• Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken: Use air fryer at 375°F for crispy exterior and juicy interior, reducing cooking time and oil while maintaining authentic tandoori taste.
• Tandoori Chicken Wrap: Shred cooked chicken and wrap in warm naan or tortilla with cucumber raita and fresh herbs for a quick, portable meal option.

Tandoori Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Tandoori chicken offers a symphony of spices from North India’s culinary landscape. Marinated in yogurt and bold masala, this flame-kissed delicacy promises a journey through rich, smoky flavors that will spark celebration on your plate.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) tandoori masala
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) garam masala
• Salt to taste

Marinade and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 ml) plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 g) ginger paste
• 1 tablespoon (15 g) garlic paste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
• Lemon wedges for serving

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Instructions

1. Combine thick, creamy plain yogurt, freshly squeezed lemon juice, aromatic vegetable oil, and a vibrant blend of traditional tandoori spice mix in a spacious mixing bowl, whisking until smooth and fully integrated.
2. Carefully massage the fragrant marinade into each chicken piece, ensuring complete and even coverage, penetrating all surfaces for maximum flavor absorption.
3. Transfer marinated chicken to a sealed container or resealable plastic bag, placing in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours, preferably allowing flavors to develop overnight for enhanced taste complexity.
4. Heat outdoor grill to medium-high temperature (approximately 375-425°F or 190-218°C) or preheat conventional oven to 400°F (200°C), preparing cooking surface with light oil coating to prevent sticking.
5. Position chicken pieces on grill grates or baking sheet, maintaining consistent spacing between items to promote even cooking and optimal heat circulation.
6. Rotate chicken periodically during cooking process, ensuring golden-brown exterior and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption, approximately 20-25 minutes total cooking time.
7. Remove from heat source and allow chicken to rest for 5-7 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute throughout meat for maximum tenderness.
8. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves and accompany with zesty lemon wedges, providing a bright, citrusy complement to the rich, spiced chicken.

Notes

• Marinate chicken overnight for deeper, richer flavor that penetrates every fiber of the meat.
• Choose full-fat yogurt to ensure tender, juicy chicken with a creamy coating.
• Check internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee safe and perfectly cooked chicken.
• Allow chicken to rest 5-10 minutes after cooking to seal in succulent juices.
• Customize spice blend by adjusting chili powder and garam masala for personal heat preference.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 470 kcal
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 50g
• Cholesterol: 120mg