Home Style Tandoori Chicken - Simple & Fuss Free!

Tandoori chicken is one of the most beloved and well-known dishes in Indian cuisine. It is a relatively healthy dish, especially when compared to other fried or heavily sauced preparations. This flavorful and aromatic dish features chicken marinated in a blend of yogurt and spices, then cooked in a traditional clay oven known as a tandoor. At home, I cook this in the oven and it is still as flavorful. With the right marinade, its hard to get this dish wrong.

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

1 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch piece ginger, grated
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon paprika (for color)
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

For the Chicken:

2 pounds chicken (bone-in pieces like drumsticks, thighs, or a whole chicken cut into pieces)
Lemon wedges, for serving
Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Sliced onions, for serving
Mint chutney, for serving

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, grated ginger, garam masala, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, turmeric, cayenne pepper, salt, and vegetable oil. Mix well until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.

2. Make shallow cuts in the chicken pieces to help the marinade penetrate and flavor the meat.

3. Add the chicken to the bowl with the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight for the best flavor.

4. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).

5. Place the marinated chicken on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or a wire rack. Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the chicken is cooked and slightly charred.

6. Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lemon wedges, sliced onions, and mint chutney on the side. Enjoy with naan or roti and a side of basmati rice.

Comments

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