In this post, I am sharing a from scratch tandoori chicken recipe which comes out succulent, moist and outrageously delightful. You will be stunned by how easy tandoori chicken is to make at home in an air fryer or oven (instructions for both included).
However, if you are in a hurry and want to use a store bought tandoori powder, I got you. Including the instructions in recipe card for the same.
Tandoori chicken is known for its flavor, vibrant reddish hue color, and unique smokiness. To make tandoori chicken, chicken pieces are marinated in a blend of yogurt, ginger garlic and spices, like coriander, cumin, turmeric, garam masala and kashmiri red chilli powder. This marinade gives tandoori chicken its characteristic red hue and rich flavor profile.
Once the chicken has marinated, it is traditionally cooked in a tandoor, which is a cylindrical clay oven. The intense heat of the tandoor lends the outside of chicken charred exterior while the inside is juicy & tender. Long marination in a yogurt based marinade not only imparts a rich flavor but also helps to tenderize the chicken.
Tandoori chicken is commonly served with accompaniments such as naan, rice, or a side of green chutney and picked onions.
This recipe took me quite a few attempts to get together. In India, tandoori is more charred in appearance than the orange or red hued you see out here at restaurants. Infact, if you use good quality turmeric and kashmiri chilli powder, ideally the reddish-orange color should come naturally from spices during high heat roasting.
In Indian cuisine, it is not common to eat chicken skin, so whenever making tandoori, use skinless chicken.
How To Make Tandoori Chicken (Step By Step Pictures)
Make Tandoori Marinade
Tandoori Chicken in Oven
Pull out the chicken from the refrigerator about 30 minutes prior to cooking. Line a large baking sheet with parchment (this makes cleaning easy) and set a rack over it. Preheat oven to highest temperature (600F in my case). Place the chicken pieces over the rack and roast for 20 -25 minutes or until done, basting liberally with oil. Liberally use oil for basting, this is very important for moist chicken. You will need to open up the oven door and brush the chicken 3-5 times, keep on turning it to cook on all sides. Alternatively you could grill the chicken outdoors, basting it at intervals.
Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken
Preheat your air fryer to 365F for 2-5 minutes. Line the basket with a liner and place a few chicken pieces in a single layer. Liberally spray or drizzle with oil. Air fry for 10-12 minutes. Open the basket and using tongs, flip to other side. Spray some oil and again air fry for 8-10 minutes. By the end you will notice that the chicken starts loosening from the bone- an indication that its done. Keep in mind that each equipment is different and so is quality of chicken. Use experience with your air fryer or oven and chicken that you purchase and adjust timings accordingly. Serve immediately with chaat masala, onion slices, lemon wedges, fresh chopped cilantro etc.
