Baked Tandoori Chicken
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
40 mins
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Total Time
50 mins
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Servings
5
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Calories
442 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Indian
Baked Tandoori Chicken
Description
This Baked Tandoori Chicken recipe involves marinating chicken drumsticks or thighs in a full-fat yogurt mixture blended with neutral oil, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, and a complex spice blend including garam masala, Kashmiri chili powder, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and pure chili powder. The marinade tenderizes the chicken while infusing it with flavor and color.
The chicken is baked in a low oven initially, then repeatedly basted with reserved marinade and finished with a higher heat to achieve charred spots reminiscent of traditional tandoori cooking. This method ensures juicy, well-flavored meat with a vibrant red exterior.
The dish is complemented by optional minted yogurt made by blitzing plain yogurt with fresh mint, salt, pepper, and a little olive oil. Serving suggestions include basmati or saffron rice, which pairs well with the spices and coolness of the yogurt sauce.
The recipe provides substitutions for the key spices and outlines cooking alternatives such as BBQ grilling. Marinating times can range from a few hours to overnight for deeper flavor. Saffron rice preparation includes soaking saffron threads to impart fragrance and color.
Ingredients
Tandoori Marinade:
- 1 1/2 cups PLAIN yogurt full fat best
- 2 tbsp neutral cooking oil any, generic cooking oil
- 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp ginger , grated
- 5 garlic minced, cloves
- 3 tsp garam masala Note 1, spice mix
- 1.5 tbsp kashmiri chili powder Note 2 subs
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 1/2 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder pure, not US chili Note 3, adjust to taste
- 1 tsp salt
Chicken:
- 1.2kg / 2.4lb chicken drumsticks Note 4, bone-in skin on; or chicken thighs or Marylands (whole chicken legs
- cooking spray
Mint Yoghurt (optional)
- 1 cup PLAIN yogurt
- 1/2 cup mint leaves; packed
- salt
- black pepper
- olive oil
Serving
- basmati rice OR Saffron rice (see note)
Instructions
- Mix Marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Add chicken, cover and marinate 12 to 24 hours (Note 5)
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Line a tray with foil and place a rack on the tray.
- Remove chicken from the Marinade, shaking off excess (reserve Marinade), and place on the rack. Bake for 20 minutes, then slather Marinade generously on both sides.
- Bake for a further 10 minutes, brush/dab top with Marinade.
- Bake further 10 minutes, do a final baste with Marinade then spray with oil.
- Increase heat to 220C/450F. Bake for a further 10 to 15 minutes until you get some nice charred spots. Serve with Minted Yogurt and Saffron Rice (below) or plain Basmati Rice.
Minted Yoghurt:
- Combine ingredients in a food processor and blitz until mint is very finely chopped.
BBQ Option:
- Preheat BBQ with closed lid to medium, brush grills lightly with oil. Place bone-in skin-on chicken skin side down on grills, cook 5 min until surface is just caramelised - no more.
- Baste, then flip. Baste, then close lid. Cook for 20 minutes or until internal temperature is 175F/80C (bone in thighs and drumsticks), basting once or twice more.
Notes
- Garam masala is a spice blend containing cardamom, coriander, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves; it can be substituted with curry powder plus allspice and additional individual spices.
- Kashmiri chili powder adds red color and mild heat; substitute with paprika and food coloring if unavailable.
- Pure chili powder here is spicy ground chili different from US chili powder; cayenne can be used instead or omitted for less heat.
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks or thighs roast best for texture and flavor; boneless require shorter cooking time.
- Marinate chicken 12-24 hours for best flavor; quick marinade can be 2-3 hours.
- Saffron rice is made by soaking saffron and cooking with basmati rice to add color and aroma.
- For BBQ, sear chicken skin-side down first then baste and cook covered on medium heat until done.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 5Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 442 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 250g | |
| Calories | 442cal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 8g | 3% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 32g | 49% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol | 148mg | 49% |
| Sodium | 643mg | 27% |
| Potassium | 528mg | 11% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 265IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 3.8mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 180mg | 18% |
| Iron | 1.9mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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