What is tandoori chicken?
Tandoori chicken is a chicken dish cooked in a Tandoor oven. The chicken is marinated in yogurt and spices before being grilled in the clay oven. As the chicken cooks, the smoke infuses the meat with flavor and results in the most delicious chicken dish. To make tandoori chicken at home, I preheat my oven to the hottest temperature and then turn it down the moment I place the chicken in the oven to encourage a little char and deep burnished color to develop on the skin of the chicken.
Ingredients
Even though tandoori chicken is most often made with chicken pieces like thighs and drumsticks, I like using a whole butterflied chicken here. The marinade is made with plain yogurt (I use a full cream/high fat yogurt like Greek yogurt), spices and herbs.
Whole chicken. Use whole chicken legs as substitute. Greek yogurt. Buttermilk can also be used. Garlic. Use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor. Ginger. Garam Masala. If you can’t find Garam Masala powder, use a good Indian spice mix containing turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, etc. Chilli powder. Cayenne pepper can also be substituted. Kashmiri chilli powder is delicious in this marinade. Paprika. Cardamom. Cumin. Salt and black pepper. Lemon juice. Lime juice can be used instead. Vegetable Oil. Melted ghee can be substituted.
How to make Tandoori Chicken
What to serve with tandoori chicken
Rice is always my go-to side dish with any form of spiced chicken. Here I served it with plain jasmine rice but curried rice will also be delicious. A sharp and fresh cucumber salad cuts through the rich, spiciness of the chicken. Flatbread, roti or naan will also be a great addition.
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