Description
Delicious and flavorful Tandoori Chicken prepared with a vibrant spice mix, marinated in natural yoghurt and lemon juice, and cooked using multiple methods such as air frying, grilling, baking, or BBQ. This recipe offers a versatile approach to enjoying this classic Indian dish with juicy, tender chicken infused with traditional tandoori spices.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 650 g (1.4 lb) Chicken breast, Approx 4 breasts, diced
Spice Mix
- 1 tsp Ground coriander
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 2 tsp Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric
- 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp Ground ginger
- 1 tsp Garlic granules
- 1/2 tsp Chilli powder (optional)
- 1.5 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
- Red food colouring (optional, see notes)
Marinade
- 1 Lemon, juice only
- 1 tbsp Tomato puree
- 50 g (0.25 cups) Natural yoghurt
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine all the spices including coriander, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, garlic granules, chilli powder, salt, black pepper, and optionally red food coloring. Add the natural yoghurt, lemon juice, and tomato puree, mixing well to form a uniform marinade.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the diced chicken breast pieces to the marinade and coat them well. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for several hours or overnight to allow the flavors to infuse deeply.
- Thread the chicken: Once marinated, thread the chicken pieces evenly onto skewers, ensuring they are not overcrowded for even cooking.
- Cooking in the Air Fryer: Place the chicken skewers carefully into the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the tops with oil. Air fry at 220℃ fan/240℃/390-400°F for 15-20 minutes, turning the skewers halfway through to ensure even cooking. Check with a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 75℃ (165°F).
- Cooking in the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180℃ fan/200℃/350°F. Place the skewers on a baking sheet or, ideally, on a grill rack resting on a tray to allow even cooking on all sides. Lightly spray the tops with oil, then bake for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through. Ensure chicken is fully cooked via temperature check.
- Cooking on the BBQ: Place the skewers directly on the BBQ rack. Spray with a little oil on top. Grill for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through cooking. The heat intensity can vary so check for doneness with a thermometer; the chicken should be fully cooked with clear juices and no pink in the center.
- Cooking on the Grill: Place the skewers on a grill tray under high heat. Grill for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway to ensure even cooking. Confirm that the chicken is cooked through before serving.
Notes
- Red food colouring is optional and used traditionally to give the chicken its characteristic bright red color. You can omit or replace it with paprika for color and flavor.
- Marinating the chicken overnight or for at least a few hours improves flavor and tenderness.
- Always check the internal temperature of the chicken to be at least 75°C (165°F) for safe consumption.
- Adjust cooking times depending on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces.
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes prior to threading the chicken to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-25 minutes depending on the cooking method
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Indian
