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How to Make Tandoori Chicken
Breads and flatbreadsOpen cook modeShare on WhatsApp

Breads and flatbreads

How to Make Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori chicken became popular in Arab kitchens for its bold flavor and distinctive spices. Try this detailed recipe from spice mix to baking and the accompanying sauces.

Total time55 min
Prep35 min
Cook20 min
Yield4 servings
DifficultyMedium
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Recipe tags

Breads and flatbreadsInternationalGluten freeNut freeEgg freeMediumBalanced time

Recipe story

An easy tandoori chicken recipe you’ll love and want to make again!

Ingredients

  • Chicken thighs — quantity as needed
  • Tandoori spice mix:
  • 1 tablespoon hot chili or hot pepper
  • 1 tablespoon turmeric
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground red pepper (paprika)
  • 1½ tablespoons dried coriander
  • Pinch of cinnamon
  • Pinch of fennel
  • Pinch of ginger
  • Pinch of garlic powder
  • Pinch of onion powder
  • Pinch of ground cumin
  • Red coloring: a drop or 1 tablespoon beetroot powder
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • 1 cup yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons molasses or tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt
  • Tandoori bread ingredients:
  • 3 cups flour
  • 2 tablespoons milk powder
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • Water as needed for the dough
  • How to make tandoori bread:
  • Knead the ingredients well
  • Shape the dough into balls and roll them or stretch them into flatbreads
  • Avocado sauce:
  • 1 large avocado
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 tomato
  • 1 green chili pepper
  • Green onion
  • Olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Potato roses with cheese are one of the special potato recipes — click the link

Method

  1. Wash the chicken well and rub it with vinegar and tahini, then place it aside in a colander
  2. Start preparing the tandoori spice mix
  3. Toast the spices over low heat until well toasted, then leave them aside for 5 minutes
    Timers: 5 min
  4. Take about 3½ tablespoons of the spice mix and add it to the yogurt, molasses (or tomato paste) and olive oil
  5. Mix these ingredients well
  6. Place the chicken thighs in a baking tray
  7. Brush the chicken thighs with the tandoori marinade you prepared
  8. Leave the chicken marinated in the tandoori mixture for about 6 hours and keep it in the fridge so it does not spoil before cooking
    Timers: 360 min
  9. After the required time, place the tandoori-marinated chicken thighs in a hot oven and leave them until fully cooked
  10. In the last 10 minutes, turn on the top heat to obtain the beautiful red-brown color on the chicken
    Timers: 10 min
  11. Place a wide skillet on the stove and let it heat well; put a tandoori bread in it and when each bread is cooked brush it with a little butter or olive oil, then remove and set aside
  12. Serve the fresh tandoori bread and avocado sauce alongside the grilled tandoori chicken
  13. Blend all the ingredients well to obtain a smooth sauce

Notes and serving ideas

  • How to make quzi (video)
  • Spring roll / vegetable wrappers
  • Cheesy potato roses
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Chef

Loubna Fawaz

Loubna Fawaz shares a practical home-cooking collection on Zesta, with recipes gathered for everyday tables and repeat cooking.

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