You can make the Best Tandoori Chicken at home just like the restaurant and even more delicious than that. A complete step by step process has been given for the tandoori chicken recipe.
With which you will be able to make it very easily. It is to attract families in the home cooks of America.
Most people also like tandoori chicken, that is why it remains everyone’s favorite. Tandoori chicken has become famous all over the world. After America, it remains everyone’s favorite in India too. Tandoori chicken or chicken tandoori is considered very famous in India too.
Best Tandoori Chicken Recipe (American Style)
How to make tandoori chicken at home in a very easy way. This tandoori chicken is liked by many people all over America and this is a proof that it also introduces you to Indian flavors. It is spicy, juicy, smoky and full of taste. And
believe it, if you prepare tandoori chicken with this recipe, you will forget the tandoori chicken you ate in restaurants because homemade dish is very tasty, it just takes a few minutes.
Table of Contents
Introduction: About Best Tandoori Chicken –
Tandoori Chicken is a very prestigious dish in Indian cuisine which is everyone’s favorite. It reached the kitchens of America very soon and has spread all over the world. It has become a favorite in your kitchen from the restaurants.
This very tasty grilled chicken is first marinated in spicy curd. Then it is cooked in a clay oven (called tandoor) in the traditional way.
You can create the same taste at home as well, whether you use oven, grill or stovetop, you will be able to make this delicious dish at home easily.
If you want to try Indian food, make a healthy chicken dinner, BBQ party idea or a delicious chicken tandoori recipe, here is a great guide for you.
If you are already experienced then you will learn something new after reading this, which I would love to know. And if you are new to making tandoori chicken in your kitchen then this is a great guide for you.
Ingredients for Chicken:
- 2 pounds (900 g) bone-in drumsticks or skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
Ingredients for Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or mustard oil
- 1 ½ ginger paste
- 1 ½ teaspoon garam masala
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or thick Indian yogurt
- 1 ½ tablespoons garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, for color
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- Optional restaurant style, few drops of red food color
Garnish (optional):
- Red onion, chopped
- Fresh coriander
- Lemon wedges
- Chaat masala, for sprinkling
Step by Step cooking Recipe Best Tandoori Chicken.
1. Preparing the Chicken
First, clean the chicken thoroughly. Do this. Then wash the pieces well and use paper towels to dry them.
Make only two to three deep cuts on all the pieces to cut the meat, by doing this, the marinating helps in getting the deep flavor inside.
Now in the beginning, sprinkle lemon juice on the chicken and also salt, then rub it well and keep it aside for 20 minutes. This helps a lot in making the meat soft and gives a fresh sour base taste.
2. Making the marinade:
Take a big bowl and mix the spices in it – ginger paste, garlic paste, lemon juice, curd and all the ground spices in the bowl and mix well. Till a chicken spicy marinade is ready.
Optional: If you want to bring the restaurant red look and want to make it bright. For this you can add a few drops of red food color which is very much liked by the American people.
If it lacks salt and spices, taste it first and then add salt and spices accordingly.
3. Marinating the Chicken:
Now add the chicken to the marinade bowl.
Use your hands or gloves to coat all the pieces evenly and check if the marinade has seeped into the slaw.
Now refrigerate it for 6 hours. If you want a better taste then cover it and keep it overnight. This will keep it even better and this step is very important for the taste.
Tips: The more time you spend marinating the better the taste will be. This step should not be rushed to get the best taste.
4. Cooking the Best Tandoori Chicken:
There are three easy ways to cook Tandoori Chicken at homes in USA-
A. Very easy and popular way – “Oven Baked Tandoori Chicken“
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a wire rack on a foil-lined baking tray.
- Lift the rack and place the marinated chicken on it. Do not overcrowd the rack, but leave space in between. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes.
- Flip the pieces after 20 minutes and bake for another 20 to 22 minutes, until lightly charred.
- For extra charring: For extra charring, add 3 to 4 minutes more broiling at the end.
B. Outdoor BBQ Style – Grilled Tandoori Chicken
Preheat your griddle to medium-high, then apply oil to the griddle to prevent sticking. Place the chicken pieces on the grill.
Make sure to cook on all sides for 6 to 7 minutes, or until done. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a little butter or oil while grilling for more flavour.
C. Making Tandoori Chicken in an Indoor Skillet – Stovetop:
- Heat a nonstick pan or cast iron skillet with a little oil.
- Cook the chicken on all sides for 6 to 7 minutes on high to medium flame.
- Cover the chicken and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes on low flame, leaving the sides open to get crispy.
Serving Tips:
Delicious, Tandoori Chicken is bold, and so incredibly versatile that you can serve it in the following ways:
- Serve with roti or non-bread
- Serve over jeera rice or basmati rice
- With mint yogurt or cucumber raita
- Garnish with coriander, chopped onions and a sprinkle of chaat masala.
- Don’t forget to add a slice of lemon which makes for a wonderful flavour to squeeze on top.
Tips for making the perfect Tandoori Chicken that’s perfect to make every time:
- Use bone-in chicken: It turns out super juicy compared to boneless cuts.
- It’s perfect for the Greek yogurt marinade to adhere to and adds a tang to it.
- The oil in the marinade keeps the chicken tender while it cooks.
- Char = Flavor: Don’t be afraid if it gets dark on the edges – that’s where the magic is.
- For oven cooking, boiling gives a wonderful smoking finish.
For authentic smoking taste, try the dhungar method:
- Here is a traditional Indian restaurant method to get the smoking taste of a clay oven:
- Use tongs and take a small piece of charcoal and heat it till it turns red hot.
- Place the hot charcoal in a bowl and add a few drops of oil or ghee on it.
- Now cover the entire tray with a lid for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Then remove the lid and throw away the coal.
- You will now find your kitchen filled with the aroma of the Indian tandoor.
Variations you might like:
- Boneless Tandoori Chicken – Great for sandwiches, wraps or bowls
- Tandoori Chicken Wings – Perfect for appetizers or game day snacks and are also great.
- Tandoori Chicken Salad – Grilled chunks can be placed on a bed of saag for a spicy and low-carb option.
- Tandoori Chicken Tacos – This is a popular fusion twist for foodies in the US.
Why Tandoori Chicken is loved in America:
Tandoori Chicken is one of the best dishes in the world – it is very popular in India and the grilling culture of America. It is gluten free and full of protein and can be easily cooked in an eco-van and fire grill.
You don’t need to look for any special occasion to eat it. You can cook it anytime, whether you want to eat it on the weekend or host a party. It is the best of all and has gained immense popularity in the whole of America when it is a home-cooked meal. So make sure you make the best Tandoori Chicken in your kitchen and feed it to your family and share it with friends to boost your morale.
Popularity:
- Food trucks
- Indian restaurants
- Meal prep kits
- Fusion menus
- Meal plans
- Health conscious
Nutrition from Tandoori Chicken, approx. per serving: 1 thigh
- 26 grams – of protein
- 250 – calories
- 15 grams – of fat
- 1 gram – of fiber
- 4 grams – of carbs
- 2 grams – of sugar
- Varies with cooking and cutting method.
Storage and reheating:
Fridge: Store leftovers in a can or container for up to 3 to 4 days.
Refrigerate: Wrap and reheat for up to 2 months.
To reheat, preheat in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes or microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. Always cover with a damp paper towel.
Final Thoughts:
This Best Tandoori Chicken is a great recipe for non-vegetarians and is guaranteed to be a hit whether you are a beginner or an experienced cook and is a hit all the time.
This recipe brings a flavour of Indian flavour to American homes using very simple steps. Whether you are craving for a spicy meal, planning a dinner party or want to try a new dish, this Tandoori Chicken is a delicious, smokey, juicy and a great crowd pleaser.
Believe me, once you make this at home, it tastes much better and tastier than the food you eat outside. So get ready to enjoy the Best Tandoori Chicken during the holidays with your kids and your family.