--- title: "Tandoori Chicken" id: "3669" type: "recipe" slug: "tandoori-chicken" published_at: "2026-10-20T11:05:11+00:00" modified_at: "2026-10-20T11:05:11+00:00" url: "https://beestrot.com/recipe/tandoori-chicken/" markdown_url: "https://beestrot.com/recipe/tandoori-chicken.md" excerpt: "Tandoori Chicken" taxonomy_category: - "Dinner" - "Everyday Meals" - "Grilling - Broiling" - "Indian" - "Main Dishes" - "Meat and Poultry" - "Medium (30-60 min)" - "Party and Events" --- [by Jean Louis](https://beestrot.com/author/jean-louis/) • 📅 Last modified on October 20, 2026 Table of Contents - [• Recipe Overview](#recipe-overview) - [• Recipe Information](#recipe-metadata) - [• Time & Quantities](#recipe-time-quantities) - [• Method & Ingredients](#recipe-method) - [- Ingredients](#ingredients-section) - [- Instructions](#instructions-section) - [• Storage & Make-Ahead](#recipe-storage) - [• Nutritional & Dietary Information](#recipe-nutrition) - [• Serving & Variations](#recipe-serving) - [• Video to Share!](#recipe-video) # Tandoori Chicken Share this recipe! [Set as Preferred Source](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=beestrot.com) ![Tandoori Chicken recipe](https://beestrot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Tandoori-Chicken-recipe.jpg "Tandoori Chicken 1") *[Click here](#image_policy) to learn about our image policy and how to submit your own!* Long before rotisserie chicken conquered every supermarket, India had the tandoor - a cylindrical clay oven reaching 900 degrees F (480 degrees C) that chars and caramelizes chicken like nothing else on earth. Tandoori Chicken was popularized in mid-20th century Delhi and became one of the first Indian dishes to gain international fame. The vivid spiced yogurt marinade penetrates deep into the meat, delivering smoky charred edges with a juicy spiced interior that defines Indian grilled cooking. Difficulty:★☆☆☆☆(Easy) Budget: 💰💰 Seasonality: Year-round ### Recipe Information [#](#) **Categories:** [Dinner](https://beestrot.com/focus/courses/dinner/) [Everyday Meals](https://beestrot.com/focus/occasions/everyday-meals/) [Grilling - Broiling](https://beestrot.com/focus/cooking-methods/grilling-broiling/) [Indian](https://beestrot.com/focus/cuisines/indian/) [Main Dishes](https://beestrot.com/focus/courses/main-dishes/) [Meat and Poultry](https://beestrot.com/focus/ingredients/meat-and-poultry/) [Medium (30-60 min)](https://beestrot.com/focus/time-to-table/medium-30-60-min/) [Party and Events](https://beestrot.com/focus/occasions/party-and-events/) **Tags:** [Aromatic](https://beestrot.com/tags/aromatic/) [High-Protein](https://beestrot.com/tags/high-protein/) [Juicy](https://beestrot.com/tags/juicy/) [Marinated](https://beestrot.com/tags/marinated/) [Savory](https://beestrot.com/tags/savory/) [Smoky](https://beestrot.com/tags/smoky/) [Spicy](https://beestrot.com/tags/spicy/) [Traditional](https://beestrot.com/tags/traditional/) **Religious Considerations:** Halal if using halal-certified chicken **Recipe Source:** Traditional Indian Recipe Print this Recipe ### Time & Quantities [#](#) **Preparation:** 20 mins **Cooking:** 30 mins **Total:** 50 mins **Serves:** 4 **Preparation-to-Cooking Ratio:** 0.67Balanced prep and cook time. ### Method & Ingredients [#](#) **Required Equipment:** Large bowl, sharp knife for scoring, grill or oven broiler, baking rack [Cuisinart 12-Piece Kitchen Knife Set](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FLQ4EE6/?tag=beestrot08-20) [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FLQ4EE6/?tag=testtag-20) [MegaWise Pro Titanium Hand Blender](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09P8CFQRS/?tag=beestrot08-20) [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09P8CFQRS/?tag=testtag-20) [ExcelSteel 3 Piece Boiler, 2.5 quart, Stainless Steel](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESEYJZG/?tag=beestrot08-20) [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESEYJZG/?tag=testtag-20) [KitchenAid Gourmet Stainless Steel Wire Masher](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TKMY2NW/?tag=beestrot08-20) [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TKMY2NW/?tag=testtag-20) [Cuisinart Mesh Strainers, 3 Count](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007TUQF9O/?tag=beestrot08-20) [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007TUQF9O/?tag=testtag-20) [BBQ Grill Gloves, Oven Gloves](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R86P4Q3/?tag=beestrot08-20) [View on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R86P4Q3/?tag=testtag-20) **Cooking Method:** Grilling - Broiling #### Ingredients - 2 lbs chicken pieces (legs and thighs / bone-in / skin removed) - 1 cup plain yogurt - 3 tbsp lemon juice - 2 tbsp oil - 4 garlic cloves (minced) - 1 tbsp fresh ginger (grated) - 2 tsp tandoori masala - 1 tsp garam masala - 1 tsp cumin - 1 tsp coriander - 1 tsp paprika (for color) - 1/2 tsp turmeric - 1/2 tsp chili powder - salt to taste - lemon wedges and sliced onion rings for serving - fresh cilantro for garnish #### Instructions 1. Score chicken pieces deeply - 3-4 cuts down to the bone on each piece. This is crucial: the marinade needs to reach the interior, not just coat the surface. 2. Mix all marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Add chicken and work the marinade deep into the cuts with your hands. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, overnight preferred. The yogurt tenderizes while the spices do their thing. 3. Remove chicken from fridge 30 minutes before cooking to take the chill off - cold chicken on a hot grill equals uneven cooking every time. 4. Grill option: preheat grill to high heat 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grill chicken 10-12 minutes per side, turning once, until charred and cooked through with internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). 5. Oven option: preheat broiler to high. Place chicken on a rack over a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil 6 inches from element for 12-15 minutes per side until charred - and yes, some char is the goal here, not a mistake. That is the tandoor effect. 6. Rest 5 minutes before serving. You will know you nailed it when the kitchen fills with that unmistakable smoky aroma. 7. Serve on a platter with sliced onion rings, lemon wedges, and fresh cilantro. ### Storage & Make-Ahead [#](#) **Storage Advice:** Refrigerate cooked chicken up to 3 days. Reheat in a hot oven at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 10 minutes to revive the exterior char. **Make-Ahead & Freezing Tips:** Freeze marinated (uncooked) chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and cook from cold (add 5 minutes to cooking time). Do not freeze cooked chicken as it dries out. ### Nutritional & Dietary Information [#](#) **Nutritional Information:** - **Calories:** 320 - **Protein:** 42g - **Fat:** 14g (Saturated: 3g) - **Carbohydrates:** 6g (Fiber: 1g / Sugar: 3g) - **Vitamin A:** 10% DV - **Vitamin C:** 8% DV - **Calcium:** 8% DV - **Iron:** 12% DV **Allergen Information:** Contains dairy (yogurt). Gluten-free. **Dietary Information:** Gluten-free as written. Not suitable for dairy-free or vegan diets without substitutions. High protein. ### Serving & Variations [#](#) **Serving Suggestions:** Serve on a sizzling cast-iron platter if you have one - the drama is part of the experience. Accompany with mint chutney, sliced red onion soaked briefly in lemon juice, and warm naan. **Wine or Drink Pairing:** A bold Syrah from the Northern Rhone (Crozes-Hermitage or Saint-Joseph) matches the char and spice beautifully. For white wine lovers, a Viognier from Condrieu stands up to the intense marinade with its own aromatics. **Possible Recipe Variations:** Beestrot Signature: For a home tandoor effect, finish the chicken directly over a gas burner flame for 30 seconds per side - the direct flame creates char marks and a smoky depth that transforms oven-cooked into something genuinely special. Variations: Tandoori Prawns - use jumbo prawns, marinate 1 hour only, grill 2-3 minutes per side. Paneer Tikka - replace chicken with thick paneer cubes threaded on skewers. Tandoori Cauliflower - use whole cauliflower steaks for a dramatic vegetarian centerpiece. **Additional Notes:** Removing the skin before marinating is essential - it allows the marinade to penetrate the meat directly. Never skip the scoring step. Share this recipe! [Set as Preferred Source](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=beestrot.com) Disclosure: This recipe may contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a commission if you click on a link and make a purchase at no extra cost to you. This applies to featured Amazon products or any other Beestrot's partners. I only link to products I would actually use in my own kitchen. Thank you for your support! Jean Louis. ## Leave a Reply [Cancel reply](/recipe/tandoori-chicken/#respond) You must be [logged in](https://beestrot.com/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fbeestrot.com%2Frecipe%2Ftandoori-chicken%2F) to post a comment. ### Encore! 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