Description
Tandoori Chicken brings the sizzling spices of North India right to your dinner table with a marinade that’ll make your taste buds dance. Marinating chicken in yogurt and aromatic spices creates a tender, flavorful dish that turns an ordinary meal into a celebration of Indian cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Marinade:
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 3 tablespoons tandoori masala
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Create a zesty blend by whisking 1 cup yogurt, 3 tablespoons tandoori masala, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon garlic paste, and 1 tablespoon ginger paste into a smooth, fragrant marinade.
- Thoroughly massage the 2 pounds of chicken thighs with the marinade, ensuring each piece is completely coated. Seal in a container and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Remove chicken from refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking to reach room temperature. Warm your grill to medium-high heat or preheat the oven to 400°F.
- If grilling, place marinated chicken directly on clean grates. For oven method, arrange chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet, keeping pieces slightly separated.
- Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Alternatively, bake for 25-30 minutes in the oven, checking for golden edges and fully cooked interior.
- After cooking, let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes to retain juices. Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro over the top before serving alongside warm naan or steamed rice.
Notes
- Use full-fat yogurt for a richer, more tender marinade that helps tenderize the chicken and prevents drying out.
- Let the chicken marinate overnight for deeper flavor penetration and more intense tandoori spice characteristics.
- When grilling, create slight charred edges for authentic tandoor-style smokiness by watching heat carefully and turning chicken at the right moment.
- For a gluten-free version, swap naan with cauliflower rice or serve over roasted vegetables to maintain the dish’s traditional flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg