Tandoori chicken

Discover this authentic Indian Tandoori chicken recipe — a satisfying weeknight dish that's an impressive dish that showcases your cooking skills. Made with lemons, paprika, red onions and 9 more fresh ingredients, this recipe guides you through 3 detailed steps to create a truly memorable meal. Ready in about 40 minutes from start to finish. Whether you're cooking for family, friends, or a special occasion, this indian classic is sure to impress.

Featured
Hard
Updated March 14, 2026
1 views

15

Prep Time (min)

30

Cook Time (min)

4

servings

430

Calories/serving

Hard

Difficulty

Tandoori chicken

Ingredients

Servings:
4
  • 2 Juice lemons
  • 4 tsp paprika
  • 2 finely chopped red onions
  • 16 skinnless chicken thighs
  • For brushing vegetable oil
  • 300 ml Greek yogurt
  • large piece ginger
  • 4 garlic clove
  • ¾ tsp garam masala
  • ¾ tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp chilli powder
  • ¼ tsp turmeric

Instructions

3 steps · ~11 minutes total

  1. Step 1

    Mix the lemon juice with the paprika and red onions in a large shallow dish. Slash each chicken thigh three times, then turn them in the juice and set aside for 10 mins.

    3 minutes
    A pinch of salt helps onions soften faster and release their natural sweetness.
  2. Step 2

    Mix all of the marinade ingredients together and pour over the chicken. Give everything a good mix, then cover and chill for at least 1 hr. This can be done up to a day in advance.

    3 minutes
    For best results, marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3

    Heat the grill. Lift the chicken pieces onto a rack over a baking tray. Brush over a little oil and grill for 8 mins on each side or until lightly charred and completely cooked through.

    5 minutes
    Oil the grill grates before placing food to prevent sticking.

💡 Tips & Tricks

This Indian recipe for Tandoori chicken is best served fresh. Adjust seasoning to your taste.

🔄 Variations

• Protein swap: Try substituting the main protein with chicken, tofu, or shrimp for a different take on this dish. • Spice level: Adjust the heat to your preference — add more chili for extra kick, or reduce it for a milder version. • Vegetarian: Replace meat with mushrooms, chickpeas, or your favorite plant-based protein. • Fusion twist: Combine elements of Indian cuisine with your local favorites for a creative fusion dish.

Storage & Reheating

❄️

Refrigerator

Up to 3 days in an airtight container

🧊

Freezer

Up to 2 months — thaw overnight in fridge

🔥

Reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through.

What to Serve With

Complete your indian meal with these perfect pairings:

🍽️Naan bread or basmati rice
🍽️Raita
🍽️Mango chutney

About This Dish

Tandoori chicken is a beloved dish from Indian cuisine, originating in India. With a total preparation time of about 45 minutes, it makes for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Indian cuisine reflects the country's incredible diversity, with flavors and techniques varying dramatically from north to south, east to west. The masterful use of spices is the hallmark of Indian cooking.

This recipe is rated hard difficulty and uses 12 ingredients. Experienced cooks will appreciate the technique involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tandoori chicken is a traditional Indian dish made by marinating chicken in a mixture of yogurt and spices, then cooking it in a tandoor, a clay oven, which gives it a smoky flavor and charred texture.

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Nutrition Facts

4 serving(s) per recipe

Serving size1 serving
Calories430kcal
Total Fat19g
Sodium617mg
Total Carbohydrates47g
Dietary Fiber3g
Protein52g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.

Recipe Details

CuisineIndian
CategoryGrilled
CountryIndia