Description
Authentic Tandoori Chicken is a classic Indian dish featuring tender chicken quarters marinated in a fragrant blend of yogurt, spices, and herbs. This recipe delivers a perfectly seasoned, smoky, and charred chicken that can be easily baked in the oven, making it a flavorful and accessible way to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade Ingredients
- 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 marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine the minced ginger and garlic with cumin, cinnamon, garam masala, ground coriander, smoked paprika, salt, olive oil, and plain yogurt. Mix thoroughly to create a smooth marinade.
- Marinate the chicken: Pat the chicken quarters dry with paper towels. Place them in a large mixing bowl, then pour the marinade over the chicken. Mix well to ensure every piece is evenly coated with the flavorful marinade.
- Rest the marinated chicken: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for up to one day to allow the flavors to develop deeply, or let the chicken sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes if you are short on time.
- Preheat and prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line two wire racks with tin foil underneath to catch drippings. Using the racks allows air circulation around the chicken pieces.
- Arrange chicken and bake: Remove each chicken piece from the marinade and gently shake off any excess. Place the chicken pieces spaced evenly on the prepared wire racks.
- Cook until charred: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Check for a nice char around the edges and verify the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is fully cooked.
- Rest before serving: Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes after baking to let the juices redistribute before serving. This results in juicy, flavorful meat.
Notes
- This recipe yields authentically spiced, tender tandoori chicken similar to restaurant quality.
- Marinating overnight enhances the depth of flavor, but a quick 10-minute rest also works well.
- Using wire racks ensures even cooking and a delicious char on all sides.
- You can adjust the level of smoked paprika for more or less smokiness according to preference.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer for safety and doneness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 89 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
