Tandoori chicken is a tender and highly flavored chicken dish in Indian cuisine. Traditionally the chicken is grilled in a clay tandoor grill (hence the name), but you can make it at home in your oven too. The main thing of this mouth-watering recipe is the use of a masala and yogurt marinade that coats the chicken throughout the cooking process. This process makes it exceedingly juicy and extra flavorful. Beside that, chicken pieces gets a red color due to addition of red food dye. Here is a recipe of Tandoori Chicken which you can make at your home without traditional tandoor.
Ingredients Tandoori Chicken Recipe :
- 4 boneless chicken breasts or 8 bone-in chicken pieces
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons tandoori masala (available at all Indian grocery stores)
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice preference)
- Salt to taste
- Optional: Red food coloring (traditional, but can be omitted)
- Cooking spray or oil for grilling
For Garnish:
- Chopped cilantro
- Lemon wedges
- Sliced onions
Instructions of making Tandoori Chicken :
1.In a bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, vegetable oil, tandoori masala, ginger paste, garlic paste, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, cayenne pepper, salt, and red food coloring if using. Mix well to form a marinade.
2. Make shallow cuts on the surface of the chicken pieces. This helps the marinade penetrate and flavor the meat better.
3. Place the chicken pieces in the marinade, making sure they are well coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2-4 hours, or preferably overnight. The longer the marination, the better the flavors will develop.
4. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you are using an oven, then preheat it to 400°F (200°C).
5. If grilling, grease the grill grates with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking. If using an oven, place a wire rack on a baking sheet and lightly grease the rack.
6. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess marinade to drip off. Place the chicken on the grill or wire rack.
7. Grill or bake the chicken for about 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice char on the outside. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
8. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill or oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
9. Garnish the chicken tandoori with chopped cilantro and serve with lemon wedges and sliced onions on the side. You can also serve it with naan bread, rice, or a side salad.
Enjoy your homemade chicken tandoori with its rich flavors and aromatic spices.
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