Description
This Authentic Tandoori Chicken recipe delivers a flavorful and perfectly seasoned dish inspired by traditional Indian cuisine. Marinated in a blend of yogurt and aromatic spices like cumin, cinnamon, garam masala, coriander, and smoked paprika, the chicken is baked until tender and slightly charred, reminiscent of classic tandoori flavors without needing a tandoor oven. It’s an easy, restaurant-quality meal ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade & Spice Mix
- 1 inch ginger, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup plain yogurt
Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken quarters (or a mix of thighs and drumsticks)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and marinade: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). In a mixing bowl, combine the minced ginger, garlic, cumin, cinnamon, garam masala, ground coriander, smoked paprika, salt, olive oil, and plain yogurt to create the marinade.
- Marinate the chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry and place them in a large bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken and mix thoroughly to coat each piece evenly. You can cover and marinate for up to one day for deeper flavor or let it sit for at least 10 minutes at room temperature if short on time.
- Prepare for baking: Line two wire racks with tin foil placed inside baking sheets. Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade, shaking off any excess, and arrange them spaced out on the wire racks to allow heat circulation.
- Bake the chicken: Place the racks in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The chicken should start to char slightly around the edges. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is fully cooked.
- Rest and serve: After baking, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before serving. Enjoy this flavorful and authentic tandoori chicken right from your oven.
Notes
- This easy recipe yields restaurant-quality tandoori chicken with a well-balanced spice blend.
- Marinating overnight enhances the flavors but a quick 10-minute marinate also works if pressed for time.
- Using wire racks helps the chicken cook evenly and develop slight char like traditional tandoori.
- Ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked by checking the internal temperature to 165°F.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 89 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
