Traditional Tandoori Chicken: Perfectly Spiced and Grilled

Introduction

Tandoori chicken is a traditional Indian dish that is now served in restaurants around the world. This dish is famous for its smoke-like aroma, brilliant color and intense taste, and its name comes from the tandoor, a traditional clay oven used to cook it. However, you do not need tandoor for this delicious dish. You can easily prepare it at home too with the help of just simple ingredients and a normal oven or grill. This tandoori chicken recipe allows you not to only win hearts of guests but also is an ideal dish for an official dinner or a cozy backyard barbecue.

What is Tandoori Chicken?

It is a traditional Indian dish in which chicken is marinated by spices, curd, lemon juice along with other ingredients. Then it was cooked in the tandoor, an earthen oven which is used for preparation in traditional Indian dishes. A marinate usually contains a mixture of spices such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala, but may contain more spices. The chicken is then put in a seekh and cooked in a tandoor, which turns the taste of the chicken into a very tangy and irritating look due to the smoke. The smoky flavor and burn marks make the chicken even more delicious and special.

Why We Love This Recipe

Tandoori chicken happens to be one of the most favorite dishes of foodies across the world, and there are plenty of reasons behind it. Not only does it offer a unique and complex taste, but its exceptional flexibility also makes it special. Tandoori chicken always provides a satisfying experience, whether it is served as an appetizer, as a main meal, or even in sandwiches and wraps. Another interesting thing is that the use of red chili powder gives the chicken a bright red color, which further enhances the attractiveness of any dish.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 medium lemon, juiced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ¼ cups plain yogurt
• ½ medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon red food coloring (Optional)
• 1 teaspoon yellow food coloring (Optional)
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped cilantro
• 1 medium lemon, cut into wedges

Instructions

1. Gather all the materials.
2. Put away chicken skin. Cut the meat then, and arrange it in a shallow basin. Add lemon juice and salt on all sides of the chicken and leave for twenty minutes to completely season it.
3. In a medium basin mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Mix these ingredients well and then add food coloring to it.
4. Now apply this curd mixture well on the chicken, cover it and keep it in the fridge for 6 to 24 hours (the longer the time, the better the taste).
5. Now heat the outside grill at medium-high temperature and prepare the grate by applying light oil. Take the chicken out of the spice mixture then leave the leftover marinade unaltered.
6. Cook the chicken on a heated grill until the chicken starts to turn pink and the juice is clear. Check the temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) near the bone near the chicken with the help of an instant-read thermometer.
7. Top the chicken with lemon slices and coriander leaves while it’s being served.

Tips for Perfect Tandoori Chicken

There are some special techniques and tips to make the perfect tandoori chicken that are very important to keep in mind. Here are some crucial ideas you should constantly keep in mind:

• Chicken should be marinated for at least 4 to 6 hours, but it will be better if it is marinated overnight, so that all the spices and flavors are completely absorbed into the meat.
• Use Greek yogurt, as it makes the marinate thicker, creamy and better adhesive on the chicken.
• Preheat your grill or oven very high to replicate the heat of the tandoor and acquire that unique charred taste.
• Cooking brush chicken with melted butter or ghee. This will retain the moisture of the chicken and add another layer to the taste.

Keeping all these things in mind, you can make a wonderful tandoori chicken.

Serving Suggestions

• Garlic Naan: The soft and fluffy naan is the best option to dip in tandoori chicken juice.
• Cucumber Raita: A refreshing raita made with curd is a great accompaniment, which helps balance the intensity of the tandoori chicken.
• Basmati Rice: Basmati rice, famous for its long grains and fragrant aroma, is a perfect match with the delicious flavour of tandoori chicken.

Health Benefits of Recipe

Apart from tasting delicious, turmeric is also very beneficial for health. The curd used in this dish provides a good source of protein. At the same time, the spices that are added to it are famous for reducing inflammation and strengthening antioxidant protection. Furthermore, tandoori chicken is not only fantastic in flavor but also a superb option for your health since the grilling technique in a tandoor helps to keep the nutrients in the chicken, so different cooking techniques are more or less useless.

Conclusion

A culinary delicacy that always impresses, the traditional tandoori chicken is a dish that everyone will love. It is a food that can quickly become a favourite in your home, because it has a great combination of spices, is juicy and soft, and at the same time, it is beneficial for health. With these expert tips and tricks, you can easily create tandoori chicken magic at home, and fully enjoy every bite of this season-tested dish.

FAQ’s