Description
An iconic Indian chicken dish featuring smoky, aromatic flavors with a vibrant red-orange hue, perfect for impressing guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (900g) chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, or whole chicken cut into pieces)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons tandoori masala powder
- 1 tablespoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Few drops of red food coloring (optional)
- Fresh cilantro leaves (for garnish)
- Sliced red onions (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for garnish)
- Mint chutney (for garnish)
Instructions
- Clean the chicken pieces and pat them dry. Make deep cuts on the chicken pieces.
- Combine chicken with salt, lemon juice, and ginger-garlic paste. Let sit for 15 minutes.
- Whisk together Greek yogurt and spices in a bowl to create the tandoori marinade.
- Add tomato paste, minced garlic, grated ginger, vegetable oil, salt, lemon juice, and sugar to the marinade, mixing well.
- Pour marinade over chicken, ensuring thorough coating. Massage marinade into cuts.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Remove chicken from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat grill or oven to medium-high or 450°F (230°C).
- Cook chicken on the grill for 12-15 minutes per side, or roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, until cooked through.
- Increase heat in the last few minutes to char edges for authentic appearance.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro, red onions, lemon wedges, and mint chutney.
Notes
For optimal flavor, marinate chicken overnight. This recipe works well for meal prep; leftovers improve in flavor over time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg