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    Home » Oven Recipes

    Tandoori Chicken

    Published: Jul 1, 2016 · Modified: May 10, 2022 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 22 Comments

    240 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Spicy chicken marinated in yogurt, Kashmiri red chili powder, fresh ginger-garlic, garam masala, and then grilled to perfection! Tandoori Chicken is a classic Indian dish that is healthy, easy to cook, and a definite crowd-pleaser. Whenever I have to take a dish to a summer party, this tender, juicy, moist dish comes to mind. 

    tandoori chicken in a tray
    Jump to:
    • Why We Love this Recipe
    • What is Tandoori Chicken?
    • Ingredients to Make Tandoori Chicken
    • How to make Tandoori Chicken
    • Can You Make Tandoori Chicken in the Oven?
    • What to Serve with this Recipe
    • Recipe

    Why We Love this Recipe

    My boys LOVE tandoori chicken. For years, we ate it in restaurants, our fingers got red from the food coloring they used. Every time we went to India we would enjoy my mom's Tandoori chicken on her terrace mini-tandoor and it was so much more flavorful and bright red without any artificial coloring. The secret when I asked her was the mild Kashmiri chili powder that gave her tandoori chicken the bright hue. In addition to yogurt, fresh ginger, and garlic the other key ingredient in this recipe is the homemade garam masala.

    I finally got her recipe and realized how easy it was to make tandoori chicken at home. Before we knew it was on our repeat list. It is also my go-to dish when I have guests over and for those warm summer evening get-togethers.

    What is Tandoori Chicken?

    Tandoori is a style of cooking from the Indian subcontinent that refers to cooking food in a clay oven, which is also called a Tandoor. Most traditional Tandoori chicken is marinated in yogurt and vibrant spices before it is roasted in the clay oven.

    Since most of us don't have clay ovens, there are other ways we can replicate the cooking methods with our own kitchen appliances such as an oven or outdoor grill, or Air Fryer.

    Ingredients to Make Tandoori Chicken

    • Chicken - Bone-in chicken drumsticks work best for this recipe for a tender, juicy and moist dish
    • Yogurt - Plain full-fat yogurt, you may also use plain greek yogurt
    • Spices - Mild Kashmiri red chili powder, turmeric, and garam masala
    • Ginger & Garlic - Fresh homemade ginger and garlic paste add authentic flavors
    • Lemon Juice - Freshly squeezed lemon juice to tenderize the meat
    tandoori chicken ingredients

    How to make Tandoori Chicken

    • Bone-in Chicken drumsticks are a must for this recipe. De-skin the drumsticks and make 3-4 slits across each drumstick. Whisk together yogurt, ginger garlic paste, lemon juice, and spices to make the marinade.
    • Apply the yogurt mixture evenly to the chicken legs, cover the bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 5-6 hours or up to 24 hours. The longer you marinate the more flavorful the chicken will be.
    marinated raw tandoori chicken in yellow dish
    • Take the marinated chicken out of the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to grilling. Baste the chicken with mustard oil (or any cooking oil) and arrange it on a grilling pan or on the outdoor grill.
    marinated raw tandoori chicken in aluminum tray
    • Grill it on an outdoor grill for 20 mins.
    tandoori chicken in tray

    Can You Make Tandoori Chicken in the Oven?

    Yes! bake it at 450 F in a preheated oven for 15 mins, followed by 5 minutes of broiling to get some perfectly grilled charred marks.

    What to Serve with this Recipe

    Serve Tandoori Chicken with Mango Salad or Fiesta Quinoa Salad. I often serve Vegetable Biryani with Tandoori chicken as it makes a hearty meal. Don't forget some easy drinks! Try the soothing mango lassi, watermelon juice, or refreshing ginger lemonade!

    Recipe

    Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
    Tandoori Chicken
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    4.86 from 14 votes

    Tandoori Chicken

    Spicy chicken marinated in yogurt, kashmiri red chili powder, fresh ginger-garlic, garam masala, and then grilled to perfection!
    Prep Time6 hrs
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time6 hrs 20 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 229kcal
    Author: Archana Mundhe

    Ingredients

    • 2 lbs chicken drumsticks skim removed
    • ½ cup plain regular or low fat yogurt
    • 1 tablespoon garlic paste
    • 1 tablespoon ginger paste
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 to 2 tablespoons kashmiri or any other mild red chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
    • 1 to 2 teaspoons garam masala
    • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
    • 1 tablespoon oil

    To serve

    • 1 lime cut in wedges
    • 1 small red onion sliced

    Instructions

    • Make 3-4 slits across each drumstick. Whisk together yogurt, ginger, garlic, lemon juice, red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, and salt to make the marinade. Apply evenly to the chicken pieces and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 5-6 hours or up to 24 hours.
    • Preheat the grill or oven at 450 F. Take the chicken out of the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to grilling. Baste the chicken with some cooking oil and arrange it on a grilling pan or on the outdoor grill.
    • You can grill it on an outdoor grill for 20 mins or until the juices run clear. Alternatively, bake it in an oven for 15 mins, followed by 5 minutes of broiling to get some perfectly grilled charred marks.
    • Serve with fresh lime wedges and sliced red onion.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 1336mg | Potassium: 493mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 908IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @ministry_of_curry or tag #ministryofcurry

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    Author: Archana

    Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
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    1. Aayushi Manish says

      July 01, 2016 at 2:10 am

      Yummylicious ?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 01, 2016 at 3:03 am

        Thank you Aayushi!

        Reply
    2. Hans Susser says

      July 01, 2016 at 2:30 am

      Ahhh,
      another winner 🙂
      Cheers !

      Hans
      http://www.ChefsOpinion.org

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 01, 2016 at 3:03 am

        Thank you Hans!

        Reply
    3. Monika says

      July 01, 2016 at 2:44 am

      Looks so so so awesome!!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 01, 2016 at 3:03 am

        Thank you Monika!

        Reply
    4. Leyla says

      July 01, 2016 at 3:37 pm

      One of my favorite Indian dishes! Yummmmm 🙂

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 01, 2016 at 6:02 pm

        Thank you Leyla!

        Reply
    5. Love Served Daily says

      July 01, 2016 at 3:40 pm

      Delicious

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 01, 2016 at 6:02 pm

        Thank you Ritu!

        Reply
    6. dishdessert says

      August 01, 2016 at 6:53 pm

      looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        August 01, 2016 at 6:55 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    7. tastefullysimplewithjohn says

      August 19, 2016 at 9:42 am

      Looks so good. 🙂

      Reply
      • Archana says

        August 19, 2016 at 10:31 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    8. 9recipes says

      September 07, 2016 at 11:40 am

      Looks so delicious!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        September 07, 2016 at 11:43 am

        Thank you!!

        Reply
    9. Sheela says

      August 01, 2017 at 4:22 pm

      Hello, what kind of yogurt and how much of it? Can't wait to make it!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        August 01, 2017 at 5:07 pm

        Hi Sheela, regular plain full fat yogurt works well for this recipe. Let me know how you like it

        Reply
        • Sheela says

          August 02, 2017 at 4:44 pm

          Thank you Archana! Is there a particular amount of yogurt I should use? I want to make sure the spices are not overwhelming (or underwhelming!) Thank you!

          Reply
          • Archana says

            August 02, 2017 at 5:30 pm

            Hi Sheela! I just updated the recipe with the yogurt amount. Sorry it was missed before. Please let me know how you like it!

            Reply
    10. Din says

      January 31, 2019 at 1:05 am

      Would it be okay to leave the skin on the chicken when marinating? Or would it not permeate as well? I was thinking I could get a crisper chicken if I did that. Also, would that change the cooking times?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        January 31, 2019 at 1:23 pm

        You. An absolutely leave skin on. Just make some small slits so the marinade can go in. With instant pot the marinade also stays on the food so you have all the flavors intact

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

    Learn More About Me!

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