Air Fryer Whole Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori-style dishes like Tandoori Salmon and Chicken Drumsticks are on constant rotation in my kitchen. They're bold, flavorful, and always a hit for quick weeknight dinners! While they're traditionally made in a clay tandoor oven, you can totally recreate those same smoky, spicy flavors right in your home kitchen, no special equipment needed.

I've shared how to make Tandoori Chicken in the Instant Pot before, but if you're craving that crispy, charred finish, the air fryer is where it's at. This recipe is super simple and delivers juicy, perfectly cooked tandoori chicken that is fast, fuss-free, and full of flavor!

Reasons to Love Air Fryer Whole Tandoori Chicken

1. Cooking time is essentially hands-off! The superb marinade of ground spices, garlic paste, ginger paste, and lemon gets rubbed under and over the skin. Then the Air Fryer does the work. Bonus--no need to let the marinade soak in for hours or even overnight, so there's no need to plan ahead. You can decide to make Tandoori Chicken, and an hour later it's ready to eat!
2. Meal Prep has never been so easy! I like to Air Fry the whole chicken and use it throughout the week to top salads, make wraps, or add protein to grain bowls. It also makes amazing lettuce wraps!
3. Air Fryer Whole Chicken Tandoori is special event-ready! This will be the centerpiece of our Thanksgiving feast, around which we will build the rest of the menu. We don't even need the oven for this dish, so we have plenty of room in there for pies, casseroles, and cornbread. It makes entertaining so easy!
4. Buying a whole chicken is more cost-effective.
5. The results are consistent: perfectly cooked through, so very moist, and completely delicious.

Tandoori Marinade

The secret to bold and flavorful tandoori chicken lies in the marinade. It's a vibrant mix of yogurt, fresh aromatics, and warm spices that not only infuses the chicken with incredible taste but also helps tenderize it for that juicy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Here's what goes into my go-to tandoori marinade and why each ingredient matters:

• Kashmiri Red Chili Powder: This mild chili powder brings a beautiful deep red color to the marinade without making it too spicy. It gives tandoori chicken its signature hue.
• Ground Cumin and Coriander: This classic duo brings a warm, earthy base to the marinade. Cumin adds a slightly nutty aroma while coriander balances it with citrusy notes.
• Ground Turmeric: Known for its vibrant golden color, turmeric adds a warm, peppery edge that complements the other spices beautifully.
• Garam Masala: A blend of ground spices like cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon, garam masala adds richness and depth to the marinade. When combined with the other spices, it gives you that unmistakable tandoori flavor.
• Fresh Ginger and Garlic Paste: A must in Indian cooking, this combination brings sharp, pungent flavor and rounds out the marinade with a touch of freshness.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and acidity, helping to tenderize the meat and balance the richness of the spices.

Tips for BEST Air Fryer Whole Tandoori Chicken

• This recipe is tested in Cosori 5.8 QT, so if your airfryer is smaller, you may want to buy a smaller chicken and reduce the cooking time accordingly. 
• Cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer. Check the chicken for doneness at the 40-minute mark using a digital thermometer. Adjust time as needed 
• Depending on how big your air fryer is, you may wish to use a bigger or smaller whole chicken. Just be sure to adjust your spice and oil mix and the cooking time. 
• If you find that the chicken is a bit too tall and the top starts to burn, cut the strings tied on the chicken and press it down so it takes up more space horizontally and prevents the top from burning.  
• Use a digital thermometer to take the guesswork out
• Adjust the Tandoori spice mix to your taste. If you like it spicier, substitute half of the Kashmiri chili with hot chili powder. 
• Let the chicken marinate for at least a few hours, overnight if you can, for the best results.

How to Air Fry a Whole Chicken

Here are step-by-step instructions with photos on how to air fry whole tandoori chicken. A full list of ingredient quantities and a printable recipe card can be found at the end of this post:

Serving Ideas 

This air-fried chicken is a favorite for easy weekday meal prep. I usually pair it with rice, a side of veggies, or a simple salad, and it's just as delicious tucked into lettuce wraps for a lighter twist. It's also a must-have on our Indian inspired Thanksgiving table, bringing bold flavors to the festive spread!

Storing

Store any leftover tandoori chicken refrigerated in an air-tight container for up to 5 days. For a longer shelf life, you can also freeze the leftovers.