Oven Baked Tandoori Chicken Recipe

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Traditionally made in a tandoor oven, this classic Indian tandoori chicken can be easily made in an oven at home. This oven-baked tandoori chicken is marinated in yogurt and aromatic Indian spices then baked until golden and delicious. So easy and so beautiful no one will believe it's homemade.

Where is tandoori chicken from?

If you have been to an Indian restaurant then you must have tried this classic dish, often referred to as tandoori chicken or chicken tandoori.  It's often what most people associate Indian food with. Because of its popularity, people assume that it's a very difficult recipe to make.
Honestly, it is not!

My friends in Singapore would always associate India with tandoori chicken or chicken biryani. And they are always surprised that there is such a huge variety of food in India. I remember we were once in the north of Indian Jaipur and instead of enjoying good north Indian food some of the girls were looking for masala dosa which is a south Indian classic. I mean India is huge and it has so many different cultures, each with its own unique identity and lifestyle.

For example, If you go to the south of India the food is so completely different than the north. However, with so much of migration taking place these days, you can find anything you looking for anywhere. But back when we were kids, it was not so common to find north Indian food in south India or vice versa.

I'm so glad that times are changing because this has opened our mind and hearts to try so much more than just food that we are familiar with in our region or culture. I make this delicious tandoori chicken or chicken tikka (north Indian dishes) just as well as I make dosa (south Indian dish) or Dokhla (Gujrathi dish).

Table of Content

• Where is tandoori chicken from?
• About this tandoori chicken
• Ingredients and substitutes
• Step by step instructions  (pin)
• Frequently asked questions
• You may also like
• Recipe

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About this tandoori chicken

Traditionally Tandoori chicken is made in a Tandoor which is a large earthen oven. And yet, you can also make it at home in the oven. In fact, oven baked tandoori chicken is a lot easier to make then a chicken curry. Once you have the ingredients ready, it's all about marinating and baking or grilling.

And the best thing about making this oven baked tandoori chicken is that you can marinate it ahead of time and leave it in the fridge until an hour before you need to cook. The chicken takes about 30 minutes to cook allowing you to entertain your guests rather than watching the stove. It can be served with naan, chapati, biryani, pilaf - the possibilities are endless. And the leftovers can be used in sandwiches and wraps.

Ingredients and substitutes

• Chicken - I personally prefer to use chicken quarters and I like to use chicken that's got some flesh on it. Don't pick thin bony chickens if you know what I mean.
• Spices - Now most Indians like me, who very proudly make our own spice blends, will tell you - oh you must find all these spices because the flavor is huge. True! Personally, I think that if you don't have these spices, you can still make tandoori chicken. You can buy a ready-made spice blend called tandoori masala. I'd rather you use a spice blend then not have tandoori chicken.
  Choose a reputed brand and I'm sure you will love it. If you choose to use a ready-made blend - I recommend substituting the below spices with 2 tbsp tandoori masala.
• Ginger / Garlic - In Indian cooking, these are always used fresh, not dry powder. They do make a huge difference in flavor.
• Fenugreek - These are leaves - also called Indian methi. This can be optional. They add a slightly bitter taste but gives it that authentic tandoori flavor.
• Garam masala - This again is a blend of warm spices like cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and a few other. And you can it buy readymade or make at home too. I make my own and here is my recipe for garam masala. A little goes a long way so never add more than stated in the recipe.

Short video

Step by step instructions  (pin)

Yogurt marinade

• In a large bowl combine yogurt and spices.
• Stir to combine - and set aside.

Prepare chicken

• Clean, skin and pat dry the chicken.
• Score chicken on the legs and thighs as shown in the video. This will help absorb the marinade better.
• Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice.
• Next, coat the chicken piece with the yogurt marinade.
• Followed by the ginger and garlic paste.
• Making sure you have coated the chicken pieces well.
• Marinate the chicken for an hour on the countertop or overnight in the fridge.

Oven Bake /Broil

• Preheat your oven to 220 C/440 F for at least 20 minutes.
• Line a baking tray with foil for easy cleanup.
• Place your wire rack on the top of the baking tray.
• Spray the foil and rack with oil spray so the chicken won't stick.
• Pour cooking oil over the chicken and stir to combine.
• Arrange chicken pieces on the wire rack smooth side down.
• Using a pastry brush, coat with the remaining marinade.
• Place in the hot oven on the middle rack for 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes - turn chicken over and cook for another 10 minutes.
• If the chicken has not browned enough - place under the broil for the last five minutes.
• Enjoy!

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What do you serve the tandoori chicken with?

There is so much you can serve with this oven baked tandoori chicken.

• Chapati or roti - Which is an Indian flatbread. Chapati is more processed than roti but both are whole wheat. See how I make my chapati or sweet potato chapati.
• Naan - This is also Indian flatbread, but based on yeast and yogurt. You can make the dough ahead of time and prepare these just when your tandoori chicken is baking. You must try my stovetop homemade naan as well as garlic butter naan.
• Rice - Of course, we love Indian food with rice. Try my vegetable rice with turmeric, or my kids favorite fruit and nut pulao.
• Raita - This is basically yogurt with chopped mint leaves, a pinch of sugar, and a dash of salt and pepper. Often accompanied by chicken biryani but goes perfectly with tandoori chicken as well.
• Side dish - Often I make a side of Indian style vegetables to go with my tandoori. Our family favorite are mushroom masala or Indian spiced potatoes, and aloo gobi (cauliflower and potatoes).

Frequently asked questions

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Recipe

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