Authentic and thoroughly delicious, this tandoori chicken is a total showstopper, rivaling your favorite Indian restaurant!
Look no further for the ultimate authentic Tandoori Chicken recipe!
I created this recipe through careful trial and experimentation, both the ingredients, ratios and the cooking method. If you like tandoori chicken, you are going to love this! And if you’ve never had tandoori chicken before, prepare to fall in love! (Just make sure to be honest with your spouse about your new love affair.)
Where Did Tandoori Chicken Originate?
Before we continue let’s take a brief look at the origin of this dish. Tandoori Chicken (or Tandoori Murgh in India), is named after the cylindrical clay oven in which the dish is traditionally prepared, called a tandoor, which commonly gets up to almost 500 degree F in temperature. Western chefs have had to modify the cooking method, either grilling or roasting the chicken. This recipe roasts the chicken in the oven and achieves fabulous results.
Tandoori Chicken is attributed to Kundan Lal Gujral and his partner Kundan Lal Jaggi, who ran a restaurant in present day Pakistan in the 1920’s. They ended up having to flee as Hindu refugees to India. There, in Delhi, they set up a new restaurant and did something experimental. Up to that point, tandoors had only been used to bake naan bread. They started using it to cook this special chicken dish.  Its fame was immediate. Their “tandoori murgh” so impressed the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, that he requested it on a regular basis at his official banquets. Other visiting dignitaries likewise enjoyed this wonderful dish when they visited, including Presidents Richard Nixon, John F. Kennedy, as well many other nation’s leaders throughout the world.
Tandoori Chicken has since become popular throughout the world and is commonly found on most any Indian restaurant menu.
The versions of Tandoori Chicken eaten in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan are usually quite spicy. Kashmiri chile powder is used to give it heat as well as give it it’s reddish hue. Western versions are more mild, and food coloring is often used to create color, although paprika and turmeric create nice coloring as well. I don’t like food coloring and I didn’t use it here. Instead, I stick to the more traditional methods of using generous amount of paprika and turmeric as well as Kashmiri chile powder (but cayenne pepper can be used instead).
As for the long list of spices in our tandoori chicken marinade, don’t feel intimidated! They are simply spices, no more difficult to utilize than any other common spice on your spice rack. The more Indian food you cook, the more familiar these will become to you.
Where do you buy Indian spices? If you’re fortunate enough to have an Indian store where you live, you will find everything you need right there. If not, many grocery stores carry a variety of Indian spices, but you will more than likely need to buy some of them online. I generally buy my spices in bulk, usually 16 oz bags, because I use them a lot and because buying them in bulk is MUCH cheaper than buying small amounts. I’ve made some recommendations in the recipe box below.
I always recommend buying your spices whole and then toasting and grinding them yourself. It makes a HUGE difference in the intensity and richness of the flavor. And whole spices also last significantly longer than ground spices.
For our tandoori chicken the secret the amazing marinade. The flavor of this marinade packs will absolutely WOW your dinner guests!
This marinade is also very versatile.
Here are some additional ways I like to put it to use:
Tandoori Roasted Potatoes or Tandoori Roasted Tofu
Tandoori Grilled Squash- simply slather on the marinade, and some salt and pepper, and grill away!
Tandoori Breaded Fried Mushrooms with Yogurt Dipping Sauce
More more delicious Indian food be sure to try our:
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- Egg Curry
- Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)
- Saag Gosht
- Chicken Biryani
- Chicken Xacuti
- Red Lentil DalÂ
- Balti Chicken
- Pakistani Chickpea & Pistachio Fudge
- Mango Chutney
- Curry Powder
- Garam Masala
- Mango Chutney
PIN ME!
Tandoori Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 skinless chicken drumsticks
- 4 skinless chicken thighs
- neutral tasting oil
- Marinade:
- 4 cloves
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 3 green cardamoms ,seeds only
- 1 black cardamom ,seeds only
- 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 cup whole milk plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder or cayenne pepper (add more according to heat preference
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 4 cloves garlic ,minced
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh ginger ,minced
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Heat a dry pan with a heavy bottom over medium heat (cast iron is best because it ensures even heat distribution). Add the cloves, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cardamom seeds, fenugreek, and fennel. Toss the pan regularly to rotate the spices and prevent burning and roast until they emit a very rich aroma, about 3 minutes. Immediately place the seeds in a dish to cool. Once cool, use a coffee or spice grinder to grind the spices to a powder.
- Put the yogurt in a medium bowl and add the spice powder along with the remaining marinade ingredients. Stir to thoroughly combine.
- Cut deep diagonal slices into the tops of each piece of chicken, about 3 slashes per piece, depending on the size.
- Place the chicken pieces in a shallow, nonreactive baking dish and pour the marinade over them. Make sure they are thoroughly coated on all sides, and rub the marinade inside each of the slashes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably 6-8. (This allows the marinade to fully penetrate the chicken and optimize flavor.)
- Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
- Place the chicken pieces on the grates of a roasting rack, or cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place the chicken on it. Drizzle the vegetable oil over the chicken (this prevents burning). Roast the chicken for 30 minutes, or until the juices of the chicken run clear when a knife is penetrated in the thickest part near the bone.
- Serve immediately with rice and/or fresh naan bread.
Notes
Nutrition
Brian Gilbert says
Where’s the rice recipe? Just as important as the tandori
Nikolai says
Great recipe! Tried it yesterday and it is absolutely delicious!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so glad, Nikolai, thank you!
Mark Shulman says
Great recipe. Have two tajines to try in the oven. Looking forward to trying it. Thanks
Kitcheninfo says
This is absolutely, hands down the best chicken tandoori i’ve ever made !!!! This will definitely be a staple in our house!!! Thank you so much for sharing this secret recipe!! It’s simply fantastic!!
Keep posting more and more chicken dishes
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Awesome, thanks so much!
Sandra D'Souza says
Mmm! I tried this recipe thinking it would be the best .. After reading the intro.. Wasn’t too impressed..
Have eaten and cooked tandoori chicken recipes before.. Hoped this would be the one.. :(
My search carries on.. Thanks for sharing anyway.. :)
Healthy Kitchen 101 says
This is so delicious! One of the unique features of Indian food I really love is that they mix a lot of spices in their food, making every dish have distinct flavors. Cheers~
– Luna Regina
Nathan Lombough says
Absolutely FANTASTIC! I’ve tried several recipes and this one hit the mark in every way. Thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so happy to hear that, Nathan, thank you!
Paul says
Oh my goodness. Where did you get this recipe Kimberley ? In UK Tandoori has the status of a junk food. Bottled sauces etc. Chicken cooked in a restaurant Tandoori are better though. I’m already checking the spice cabinet in expectation of a good feed. Thank you.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Paul, my recipes are all original, I develop them myself. Junk food, really?? That wasn’t my experience at all living in the UK for 7 years. I only ever had tandoori chicken in restaurants though. Some of the best Indian food I’ve had was in the UK – they really know how to make it there! :)
Paul says
Hi,
I actually came on the board to apologize today. I reread the article and it clearly states you are the recipe owner! Sorry !
Tandoor cooked chicken is alive and well thank goodness but there is a lot of chilled pre cooked stuff in Supermarkets eaten as snacks.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
No apologies necessary, Paul :)
Ed Smith says
This has got to be one of her best so far! Getting 500c out of my pizza oven is a big ask but a few fire bricks above the gas burner help and I can cook directly on the bricks.
Cheers from Hervey Bay QLD Australia, Ed
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That sounds fantastic, Ed! As the aroma fills your backyard you’re going to be the envy of your neighborhood! :)
Paul says
I’m wondering your thoughts of using a kamado style BBQ with a pizza stone below the grill racks for an indirect heat source. I can easily reach 500 degrees or higher with mine.
Since I use lump charcoal it might have a more traditional flavor.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Yes, Paul, that is perfect. I have a ceramic kamado grill also and want to experiment using that next for this tandoori chicken. The oven method of course is more accessible to the majority of home cooks and it yields great results, but going the kamado route with lump charcoal will take it to the next level – perfection.
Jenny | Honey and Birch says
I’m always looking for an excuse to buy more spices!
Krista says
I cannot wait to try this! The flavors sound amazing!
Sandra | A Dash of Sanity says
This looks and sounds flavorful! Thanks for the tips when buying spices!
Catalina says
Love the idea of making Tandoori Chicken at home!
Abeer says
This sounds fantastic! I definitely want to try this recipe!