Baked Tandoori Chicken
Yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and tandoori marinade deliver all the elements of a truly great baked tandoori chicken - our recipe cooks in the oven in less than an hour!
Ingredients
For the Tandoori Chicken Masala:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup plain yogurt, full fat
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 2-3 taps liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 2 teaspoons Kashmiri chili powder, optional
For the Tandoori Chicken:
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus lemon wedges to garnish
- ½ medium red onion, roughly chopped, plus sliced onion to garnish
- 8 chicken thighs, drumsticks and chicken quarters
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients for tandoori chicken masala in a food processor and process until smooth. Then, pour it into a mixing bowl.
- Make small slits in each piece of chicken, then toss them with the tandoori masala, along with the chopped onion. Stir to incorporate. Cover and marinate in the fridge for 6 hours (at least 30 minutes).
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and set the wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet; line the chicken onto it, leaving excess marinade behind.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F (73°C). If you prefer a bit of char, as I do, allow the chicken to broil on high for the last 5 minutes.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro, red onion, lemon wedges, and raita. Serve with basmati rice or naan.
Notes
Expert Tips:
- Fully defrost the chicken beforehand so the tandoori marinade can adhere to it. 1-3 slits in each chicken piece allow the marinade to penetrate for even more flavor.
- The key to more flavor and moisture is a longer marination time; marinate for a minimum of 6 hours, but you can leave overnight for maximum flavor.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
Nutrition
Serving: 2 Chicken Pieces | Calories: 488 kcal | Carbohydrates: 6 g | Protein: 33 g | Fat: 36 g | Saturated Fat: 10 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15 g | Cholesterol: 194 mg | Sodium: 569 mg | Potassium: 529 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 3 g | Vitamin A: 692 IU | Vitamin C: 4 mg | Calcium: 76 mg | Iron: 2 mg
Did you make this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and follow @thejamilghar or tag #thejamilghar on Instagram!