Boldy spiced Tandoori Chicken Wings are a game-night staple in our home. Served with cooling coriander-cumin spiced yogurt or tangy blue cheese dressing these wings are a crowd-pleaser.
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The recipe was originally posted in Feb 2017 and has been updated with new photos and video.
Tandoori refers to a style of cooking in Indian cuisine where food is marinated in a mixture of yogurt and spices and then cooked in a tandoor, which is a clay oven. The heat generated by burning charcoal or wood in the tandoor cooks the food at high temperatures, giving it a characteristic charred and smoky flavor. Tandoori dishes are often associated with vibrant red color due to the use of spices like paprika or red chili powder in the marinade.
I do not have a traditional tandoor clay oven, and if you're in the same boat, you'll appreciate these simple yet tasty tandoori chicken wings cooked effortlessly in the oven or air fryer. They're perfect for game nights and movie marathons.
If you own an Instant Pot, I've got just the recipe for you in my cookbook, The Essential Indian Instant Pot Cookbook.
Looking for hassle-free chicken recipes that are great for hosting? Give my Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings, Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Tikka Kebob, and Chicken Shawarma recipes a try.
Ingredients
- Chicken Wings - I recommend Bell Evan's brand wings that are already cut in half. If you have whole wings make sure to cut them into half (wingettes and drumettes) and discard the tips.
- Ginger and Garlic - fresh homemade ginger paste and garlic paste add a nice kick and flavor to the wings. Make sure the ginger and garlic paste is smooth.
- Yogurt - plain full-fat yogurt or plain Greek yogurt
- Spices - Kashmiri red chili powder, fenugreek leaves, garam masala, turmeric, and salt
- Lemon juice - helps tenderize the meat and helps marination
How to Bake/Grill Tandoori Chicken Wings
- Trim as much fat/skin off the wings using kitchen shears.
- Add yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, Kashmiri red chili powder, fenugreek leaves, homemade garam masala, turmeric, lemon juice, and salt over the chicken wings.
- Mix it well and refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place a perforated grilling tray on top of the baking tray (to collect all the drippings and make cleanup easy). Lightly grease the perforated tray and line the wings.
- Bake the wings for 20-25 minutes (in a convection oven) or up to 40 minutes otherwise. Broil on high for the last 2 minutes to get the char marks. Note: Wings can also be cooked on a preheated outdoor grill.
How to Make Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Wings
I love to make the Tandoori Chicken Wings using an Airfryer with these easy steps:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Line the marinated chicken wings in a single layer in the basket.
- Spray oil over the wings. Air fry for 15 minutes at 370°F (190°C). Shake the basket halfway through, so the wings cook evenly.
- When the time is up, shake the basket, increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C), and cook for 5 more minutes or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Note: Depending on the size of the wings you may need to adjust the cooking time. Always check for doneness using a thermometer and make sure that the thickest part of the wings reaches 165 degrees F.
Serving
Serve hot with coriander-cumin spiced yogurt or tangy blue cheese and fresh lemon wedges.
Storing
Leftover chicken wings can be refrigerated for 2 to 3 days. For longer shelf life, freeze them in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat in the oven, air fryer, or microwave.
Tips to Make the Best Tandoori Chicken Wings
- Use plain full-fat yogurt for the marinade
- Pat dry the chicken wings to avoid extra liquids in the marinade
- Marinate chicken for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours
- Discard any leftover marinade or brush on the chicken before cooking
- Homemade garam masala brings out authentic flavors
- Any mild red chili powder can be substituted for Kashmiri red chili powder
- Fenugreek leaves are optional but add wonderful flavor and aroma
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
- Cauliflower Buffalo Wings
- Onion Pakodas
- Zucchini Chips
- Bang Bang Shrimp
- Kale Pakora Chips
- Cripsy Okra
Recipe
Tandoori chicken wings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds raw chicken wings **
- ¾ cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 to 2 teaspoons garam masala **
- 1 to 2 tablespoons Kashmiri red chili powder
- 1 tablespoon kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves) optional
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Trim as much skin off of the wings as possible. I use kitchen sheers for this.
- Combine all ingredients (except cilantro) in a bowl and marinate wings for at least 1 hour or longer.
Oven Method
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line up wings on a greased grilling rack. Place the rack on top of the baking tray to catch all the drippings.
- Bake the wings for 20-25 minutes (in a convection oven) or up to 40 minutes otherwise. Broil on high for the last 2 minutes to get the char marks. Note: Wings can also be cooked on a preheated outdoor grill.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot.
Air Fryer Method
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Line the marinated chicken wings in a single layer in the basket. Spray oil over the wings.
- Air fry for 15 minutes at 370°F (190°C). Shake the basket halfway through, so the wings cook evenly.
- When the time is up, shake the basket, increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C), and cook for 5 more minutes or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
- Note: Depending on the size of the wings you may need to adjust the cooking time. Always check for doneness using a thermometer and make sure that the thickest part of the wings reaches 165 degrees F.
Video
Notes
- I like Bell Evan's wings that are already cut in half. If you have whole wings make sure to cut them into half (wingettes and drumettes) and discard the tips.
- Add more or less garam masala and red chili powder depending on how spicy you like them.
- Use plain full-fat yogurt for the marinade
- Pat dry the chicken wings to avoid extra liquids in the marinade
- Marinate chicken for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours
- Discard any leftover marinade or brush on the chicken before cooking
- Homemade garam masala brings out the authentic flavors
- Any mild red chili powder can be substituted for Kashmiri red chili powder
- Fenugreek leaves are optional but add wonderful flavor and aroma
- Depending on the size of the wingettes and drumettes you may need to adjust the cooking time. I like to use a digital thermometer to make sure that the internal temperature of the thickest part is at least 165°F (75°C)
Nutrition
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smitha says
Can I use greek yogurt for the marinade?
Archana says
yes you can use greek yogurt
Protima says
Can I use frozen wings for this recipe or must they be thawed wings?
Archana says
Yes, you can use frozen wings. Just add more cook time and use a digital thermometer to check the internal temp of 165 F for doneness
Rajinder says
Hi Archana, how are you?
I’m new to your site, I frozen wings with skin which I have steamed, please let me know what the cooking time will be and I need to thaw them?
You have very interesting recipes and looking forward to trying them.
Thank you and regards
Archana Mundhe says
If the wings are already steamed you can thaw them in the Instant Pot. Pour 1 cup water into your pressure cooking pot and place a trivet in the bottom. Place the frozen chicken breasts on the trivet. Lock the lid in place. Pressure cook for 2 minutes.