Learn how to make the best Tandoori Chicken recipe at home with only 5 minutes of prep. Loaded with delicious Indian flavors and spices, this Tandoori Chicken tastes incredibly delicious, loaded with unique flavors, and super tender!
Make this recipe if you are looking for a quick special dinner that stands out from other grilled chicken dishes.
The best part is that you will need only one bowl and one pan to make this easy chicken recipe loaded with delicious flavors; it’s a mess-free recipe you can make ahead of time for those busy days.
Once you prepare this Tandoori Chicken recipe, you will take a culinary trip to India thanks to the Indian flavors and smell filling your house.
What Is Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori chicken is a recipe from Indian cuisine now popular worldwide, consisting of chicken meat marinated with spices and yogurt.
The marinade for tandoori chicken usually includes yogurt, ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and other spices. The yogurt helps to tenderize the chicken and keep it moist while the spices infuse it with flavor.
The name comes from the Tandoor – a clay oven used to cook chicken. It can also be prepared in the oven, grill, or barbecue.
The chicken recipe is known for its strong, smoky flavor and vibrant red color. The color is usually achieved by adding food coloring to the marinade or Kashmiri red chili powder.
Tandoori chicken is served as a starter or appetizer and can be paired with mint chutney, a simple salad, or lemon wedges. It can also be served as a main dish with rice, naan, or any Indian bread.
Why This Recipe Works
- A super flavorful chicken recipe made with a spicy marinade.
- A healthy recipe that’s low in fat and high in protein
- Can be served as an appetizer or main course with a variety of side dishes.
- A versatile recipe that can be adapted to fit your dietary needs.
- Great for meal prep, tandoori chicken can be made ahead.
- Can be made with different cuts of chicken such as chicken breast or chicken tenderloins.
Ingredients For Tandoori Chicken
To make this homemade Tandoori chicken, you will need only a few easy-to-find ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Here is a list of everything you will need:
- Chicken Quarters – I used skin-on-bone-in chicken leg quarters to get a super crispy skin with tender and juicy meat.
- Garlic – use fresh minced garlic for an intense flavor.
- Olive Oil – you can replace it with any other vegetable oil.
- Lemon Juice – adds a tangy flavor that balance out all the spices.
- Spices – I used a mix of cumin, garam masala, coriander, chili powder, and smoked paprika.
- Greek Yogurt – helps the chicken become super tender.
How To Make Tandoori Chicken
Once you will how easy it is to prepare this delicious tandoori chicken at home, you will want to make it over and over again. So here are the instructions that you need to follow:
Make The Marinade
Add all the ingredients (except the chicken) to a large bowl and whisk until everything is well combined.
Marinate The Chicken Quarters
When marinating the chicken, it is important to ensure the marinade evenly coats the chicken. The marinated chicken should be refrigerated for at least 30 minutes or overnight before cooking. This allows the flavors to penetrate the chicken and makes the dish more flavorful.
Cooking The Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori chicken is traditionally made in a clay oven or tandoor, but you can make it in your oven, air fryer, or on the grill.
To bake Tandoori chicken, preheat the oven to 400F/200C and place the chicken quarters on an oven-safe cooling rack fitted over a baking sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes, until golden brown.
Remove them from the oven and enjoy with your favorite side dish.
Tips And Variations Recipe
- Remove the chicken from the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before preparing them to cook easier and evenly.
- Add some red pepper chili flakes to the marinade for a spicy tandoori chicken.
- Be creative and use your favorite spices to create the marinade.
Storing Ideas
- Fridge: The leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: You can also freeze the leftover tandoori chicken in freezer bags for up to 2 months.
- To Reheat: Reheat the chicken in the oven or the microwave until completely warmed through.
Serving Ideas
Along with this delicious tandoori chicken, you can serve different side dishes, such as:
- Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Your favorite Salad
- French Fries
- Cauliflower Rice
- Turnip Au Gratin
- Zucchini Fries or Zucchini Casserole
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This Recipe With Other Type Of Meat?
Sure, you can use any of your favorite cuts of chicken, including drumsticks, breasts, or even a whole chicken. Just remember that the cooking time will vary.
How Do I Know If My Chicken Is Cooked?
To check if the chicken quarters are ready, you can insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. If the thermometer reaches 165F, then your chicken quarters are done cooking.
Can I Make Grilled Tandoori Chicken?
To do that, grease a grill pan with olive oil and cook the tandoori chicken for about 10 minutes on each side or until the chicken quarters reach 165 degrees internal temperature.
Is Tandoori Chicken Keto-Friendly?
Most tandoori chicken recipes are great for a keto diet since they are made with naturally low-carb ingredients and have fewer carbs per serving.
However, I recommend paying attention to the ingredients used to create this recipe and making it at home since it’s super easy to prepare with only a few minutes of prep.
More Chicken Recipes
- Crispy Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
- Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
- Baked Chicken Legs
- Marry Me Chicken with Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce
Bold and Smoky Tandoori Chicken
Description
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken leg quarters
- 1 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder optional
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ¾ tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Make The Marinade
- Add the greek yogurt, olive oil, minced garlic, and spices to a large bowl and whisk until everything is well combined.
Marinate The Chicken Quarters
- Add the chicken over the marinade, and mix until each chicken quarter is well coated.
- Marinate for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight for the best flavors.
Cook The Tandoori Chicken
- Preheat the oven to 400F/200C.
- Place the chicken quarters on an oven-safe cooling rack fitted over a baking sheet covered with baking paper for easier cleanup.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown.
- Remove them from the oven and enjoy with your favorite side dish.
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.
Sounds better if you make it with beef.