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Tandoori Chicken

Crispy, aromatic tandoori chicken made easily in the oven with a flavorful yogurt and spice marinade. This straightforward recipe delivers authentic tandoor-style results with beautiful char marks and tender, juicy chicken.

Total Time4 hours 55 min
Prep20 min
Cook35 min
Servings4
ByFamily Recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken drumsticks or thighs, with or without skin
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 tbsp red chili powder
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika, optional
  • 1 tbsp mustard oil or cooking oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Red or orange food coloring, optional

Instructions

  1. 1

    Make deep slits on the chicken pieces for better marination.

  2. 2

    In a bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, cumin powder, coriander powder, smoked paprika, salt, oil, and food coloring if using.

  3. 3

    Coat the chicken thoroughly with the marinade, ensuring it gets into the slits.

  4. 4

    Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.

  5. 5

    Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

  6. 6

    Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.

  7. 7

    Arrange the marinated chicken on the rack, shaking off excess marinade.

  8. 8

    Bake for 25–30 minutes. Halfway through (around 15 minutes), flip the chicken pieces and brush with a little oil or leftover marinade.

  9. 9

    Set your oven to broil and cook for 3–5 minutes to get a slight charred effect similar to a tandoor.

  10. 10

    Serve hot with mint chutney, onion slices, and lemon wedges.

Cook's Notes

The wire rack allows the chicken to cook evenly and prevents sogginess. For best results, marinate overnight. The broil step is optional but recommended for authentic tandoor-style char marks.