How to Make Delicious Tandoori Chicken at Home

If you’re looking for a dish that’s bursting with flavor, tandoori chicken might be just what you need. This classic Indian dish is a popular choice for those who love bold flavors and aromatic spices. Tender, juicy chicken is marinated in a blend of yogurt and flavorful spices, then cooked to perfection in a hot tandoor oven or on a grill.

Making tandoori chicken at home might sound intimidating, but it’s actually quite simple. With just a few key ingredients and some patience, you can create a flavorful, healthy meal that’s perfect for a cozy night in or a family dinner. Here’s everything you need to know about making your own tandoori chicken at home.

Ingredients Needed for Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori chicken is one of the most popular Indian dishes that are loved by people across the globe. This succulent chicken comes with a fiery red hue and a smoky flavor that is hard to resist. The key to making delicious tandoori chicken is to use the right set of ingredients. Therefore, to cook yourself a mouthwatering tandoori chicken, you will require the following ingredients:

1. Chicken

The most crucial ingredient for making tandoori chicken is, of course, chicken. You can use either chicken drumsticks or breasts for this dish, but it is best to choose the meat that is bone-in and skin-on, as it enhances the flavor and juiciness of the chicken.

2. Yogurt

Yogurt is an essential component of the marinade for tandoori chicken. It acts as a tenderizer, softening the chicken and making it more flavorful. Be sure to use thick plain yogurt, as it will stick better to the meat.

3. Spices

A combination of spices gives tandoori chicken its distinctive flavor and aroma. Most recipes include cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. You can adjust the spices according to your preference, to make it milder or hotter.

4. Garlic

Garlic adds a pungent taste to the dish, complementing its other flavors well. For tandoori chicken, it is best to use fresh garlic instead of minced.

5. Ginger

Ginger adds a subtle sweetness and a spicy note to the marinade. Use thinly sliced or grated fresh ginger for the best result.

6. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice not only adds flavor but also helps to tenderize the meat. It also helps to keep the chicken moist while it is cooking.

7. Paprika

Paprika gives the tandoori chicken dish its famous red color. The smoked variety of paprika can add an additional smokiness to the dish.

8. Salt

Salt is a basic seasoning ingredient that balances out the flavors in the marinade. Use it sparingly to avoid over-seasoning the dish.

9. Oil

Oil is essential for preventing the chicken from sticking to the grilling pan or oven. You can use vegetable oil or melted ghee for better results.

10. Food Coloring (optional)

Although not a must-have, food coloring gives tandoori chicken its iconic red color. You can use natural food coloring like beetroot juice instead of artificial colorings.

With these ingredients ready, we can move to the next section of the article, which is making the marinade for the tandoori chicken.

Ingredients required for Tandoori Chicken

To make tandoori chicken, you first need the right set of ingredients. Here are the essential ingredients you will require to make this mouth-watering dish at home.

1. Chicken: Tandoori chicken is traditionally made with chicken leg quarters, but you can also make it using chicken breasts or drumsticks based on your preference.

2. Yogurt: Use plain, unflavored yogurt to marinate the chicken as it helps to tenderize the meat and makes it juicy.

3. Spices: A variety of spices are needed to flavor the chicken, such as garlic powder, ginger paste, turmeric, cumin, coriander powder, garam masala, and red chili powder.

4. Lemon juice: It acts as a tenderizer for the chicken and also provides a tangy taste to the dish.

5. Oil: Generally, vegetable oil is used for tandoori chicken.

6. Salt: To balance the flavors, a pinch of salt is also added to the marinade.

7. Paprika: It adds a beautiful red color to the chicken and is commonly used in many tandoori chicken recipes.

8. Onion and Tomato: Optional ingredients that you can add to enhance the taste.

9. Ginger Garlic Paste: The perfect amalgamation of ginger and garlic to add extra flavour to your dish.

10. Tandoori masala: This is the key ingredient, and it gives the chicken the distinctive smoky flavor that is characteristic of tandoori dishes.

In conclusion, these ingredients play a vital role in the recipe for tandoori chicken, and all of them can be easily found in any grocery store. Make sure to gather all the ingredients before starting to prepare the dish. Once you have them all, let’s move to the next step of the recipe.

Ingredients for Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori chicken is a delicious Indian dish that is easy to make at home. The key to making flavorful tandoori chicken is using the right combination of spices and letting the chicken marinate for several hours. In this section, we will go over the ingredients needed to make tandoori chicken.

Marinating the Chicken

Marinating the chicken is an essential step in making tandoori chicken. It is best to marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. Here are the steps to marinate the chicken:

1. Rinse the chicken pieces and pat dry with paper towels.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the plain yogurt, lemon juice, ginger paste, garlic paste, paprika, garam masala, cumin powder, turmeric powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and vegetable oil.
3. Whisk the ingredients together until you have a smooth marinade.
4. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and coat each piece thoroughly.
5. Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Prepping the Oven

Tandoori chicken is traditionally grilled in a tandoor oven, but you can also bake it in a conventional oven. Here are the steps to prep the oven for tandoori chicken:

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and lightly grease with oil.
3. Arrange the chicken pieces on the baking tray so they are spaced apart and not touching.
4. Allow the chicken to come to room temperature while the oven preheats.

Baking the Chicken

Now that the oven is prepped, it’s time to bake the chicken. Here are the steps to bake tandoori chicken:

1. Place the baking tray in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
2. After 20-25 minutes, flip the chicken pieces over using a pair of tongs.
3. Continue to bake for another 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
4. Remove the baking tray from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Tandoori chicken is often served with basmati rice, naan bread, and a side salad. Here are some serving suggestions:

1. Serve the tandoori chicken on a bed of basmati rice and garnish with chopped cilantro leaves.
2. Serve with warm naan bread on the side for dipping and scooping up the delicious sauce.
3. Serve with a side salad of cucumber, onion, and tomato slices lightly seasoned with salt and lemon juice.

In conclusion, tandoori chicken is an easy and delicious dish to make at home. With the right combination of spices and a lengthy marinating time, you can achieve the authentic flavor of tandoori chicken. Bake it in the oven and serve it with basmati rice, naan bread, and a side salad for a complete meal that will satisfy your cravings.

Time to tuck in!

There you have it, a step-by-step guide on how to make juicy and flavorful tandoori chicken at home. Remember, the key is in marination and using the right spice blend. Whether you’re having a BBQ party outdoors or just craving some Indian food, this recipe is perfect for any occasion. Don’t forget to thank your guests for coming over and enjoy your delicious tandoori chicken with some refreshing mint sauce. Thanks for reading and we hope you visit again soon for more exciting recipes!