How to Make the Perfect Easy Tandoori Chicken
Indian · Easy · 45 min · 4 servings
This oven baked tandoori chicken is a fantastic kid friendly recipe that delivers smoky charred flavors without any fuss. Kids absolutely love the vibrant color and juicy texture making it one of the best kid friendly recipes for family nights.
Why this recipe works
This Easy Tandoori Chicken recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 45 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 290 calories with 32g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 700 g chicken drumsticks skin removed
- 150 g plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp mild tandoori spice mix
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Marinade
In a large bowl mix together yogurt, tandoori spice mix, lemon juice, garlic paste, salt, and oil until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken
Score the chicken drumsticks with a knife making 2 to 3 cuts on each piece. This helps the marinade penetrate deeply. Add chicken to the marinade and coat thoroughly. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
Step 3: Bake the Chicken
Preheat oven to 220 degrees Celsius. Place chicken on a lined baking tray. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes flipping halfway through until chicken is cooked through and edges are slightly charred.
Step 4: Rest and Serve
Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes. Serve with sliced cucumber, mint chutney, and soft naan bread. Kids love dipping the chicken in yogurt sauce.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- chicken drumsticks → chicken breast strips for quicker cooking
- plain yogurt → coconut yogurt for a dairy free option
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Skipping the scoring step which prevents marinade from soaking into the chicken
- Baking at too low a temperature which prevents the charred edges kids love
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 290 calories, 32g protein, 6g carbs, 14g fat, 1g fiber.
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