Oven Baked Tandoori Chicken Recipe – Indian Chicken Tandoori
Traditionally made in a tandoor oven this classic Indian tandoori chicken can be easily made in a conventional oven at home. This simple, easy and effortless recipe for oven baked tandoori chicken is marinated in yogurt and exotic Indian spices then baked until succulent, golden and delicious that just melts in the mouth.
Oven Baked Tandoori Chicken Recipe | Homemade Tandoori Chicken Recipe | Best Tandoori Chicken
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 think Indian food is all about. 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 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 migrations 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 these days because this has opened our mind and hearts to try so much more than just food that is associated with 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).
Oven Baked Tandoori Chicken Recipe, Homemade Tandoori Chicken, Easy Tandoori Chicken Recipe
About tandoori chicken (save/pin)
Traditionally Tandoori Chicken is made in a Tandoor which is a large earthen oven. But you can make it at home in the oven too!! In fact, tandoori chicken is a lot easier to make then a chicken curry. Once you have the ingredients it’s all about marinating and baking/grilling.
The best thing about making Tandoori Chicken is that it’s a make-ahead dish making it a perfect dish to make when you have guest over. Marinate ahead of time and then grill or bake just before your guest arrives. It can be served with Naan, Chapati, Biryani, pilaf – the possibilities are endless. The leftovers can be used in sandwiches and wraps.
Oven Baked Tandoori Chicken Recipe, Homemade Tandoori Chicken, Easy Tandoori Chicken Recipe
Let’s talk ingredients and substitutes (save/pin)
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 if you don’t have these spices and still want to 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 – these are always used fresh, not dry powder in Indian cooking and I highly recommend you source these out. They do make a huge difference in flavor.
Fenugreek – These are leaves – also called Indian methi. This can be optional. Had 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. This you can 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.
Making it Parve
Traditionally Tandoori Chicken is made with yogurt. All my life I ate meat marinated in yogurt sauce until I came to Israel. Here meat and dairy are never cooked together. So in Israel, the chicken is marinated with the same spices minus the yogurt.
So if you choose to make this recipe and want it Parve, you have two choices? Either you minus the yogurt or you use a nondairy yogurt such as coconut yogurt. The rest of the ingredients and measurements will remain the same.
Oven Baked Tandoori Chicken Recipe, Homemade Tandoori Chciken, Easy Tandoori Chicken Recipe
Recipe – Oven Baked Tandoori Chicken (Save/Pin)
Tools
Oven Baked Tandoori Chicken Recipe, Homemade Tandoori Chciken, Easy Tandoori Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- Chicken quarters 4 (or 8 chicken drumsticks)
- Greek yogurt – 250 ml (1 cup)
- Garlic grated – 1 tbsp
- Ginger paste – 1 tbsp
- Lemon juice – 2 tbsp
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Canola oil – 2 tbsp
Spice mix
- Chilly powder or cayenne powder – 1 tsp
- Cumin powder – 1 tsp
- Coriander powder – 1 tbsp
- Fenugreek powder (optional) – 1 tbsp
- Garam masala powder – 1 tsp
Method
Yogurt Marinade
- In a large bowl combine yogurt and spices.
- Stir to combine – set aside.
Prepare Chicken
- Clean, skin, wash and pat dry the chicken.
- Score chicken on the legs and thighs. 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 remaining oil and 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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Oven Baked Tandoori Chicken Recipe| Homemade Tandoori Chicken | Best Chicken Tandoori Recipe
Oven Baked Indian Tandoori Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken quarters or 8 chicken drumsticks
- 250 ml Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp Garlic grated
- 1 tbsp Ginger paste
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp Canola oil
Spice mix
- 1 tsp Chilly powder or cayenne powder
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 1 tbsp Coriander powder
- 1 tbsp Fenugreek powder optional
- 1 tsp Garam masala powder
Instructions
Yogurt Marinade
- In a large bowl combine yogurt and spices.
- Stir to combine - set aside.
Prepare Chicken
- Clean, skin, wash and pat dry the chicken.
- Score chicken on the legs and thighs. 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 Baked /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 remaining oil and 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!
Nutrition Information
Do you love Indian Food?
Well, then you must check out some of my other Indian recipes from slow-cooked curries to quick and easy as well as Indian Biryani and desserts.
A Collection of Modern Indian Recipes by Veena Azmanov
My family loves Indian chicken dishes. This one looks amazing! I’ll be adding it to our next meal plan for sure!
Thank you, Alexis. I hope you try this one. It’s really easy.
Ahhh….how I love tandoori chicken! It’s so beautifully flavorful. Thank you so much for sharing this fabulous recipe! I’m adding this scrumptiousness to my meal plan next week.
Thank youm Denay. I hope you try this one.
Your chicken looks so flavorful and juicy, Veena! I love the sound of your spice rub…there are so many other dishes that would be good on 😀 I’d love to give this a try.
Thank you, Tammy. yes, this spices are what make this chicken really wonderful and juicy.
I’ve always been fascinated by this dish. The ovens were so neat looking but I couldn’t justify buying an oven just for one dish. I’m glad you explained that we can make it in a conventional oven. We eat lots of chicken and I’m always looking for unusual recipes. Looking forward to trying tandoori chicken.
Thank you, Marisa. Yes, in the old days the tandoori did almost all the cooking so it was worth it. Nowadays the convection oven is good enough.
what a beautiful color on this chicken, I have never had Indian food and this is quite intriguing and I would love to try it. Those spices sound delicious indeed.
Thank you, Claudia. If you love spices you will enjoy Indian food.
There’s something about tandoori chicken that I find it hard to resist. It’s so delicious yet comforting and I’m don’t feel a guilt of eating up a whole batch 😁
Thank you, Jyothi. Yes, I think tandoori chicken is comfort food too.
this is most definitely on my to make list.. I just showed my son your delicious recipe and nearly licked the screen. We are great curry lovers in this house but tandoori chicken is something I have never tried.. Your recipe looks so easy and I love that you included some substitutions. You always go into such great detail
Thank you, Karyn. Aww, I think your son will love this chicken. It’s my kids favorite too. Glad you like my details.
I am always looking for new fun ways to cook chicken. This looks so perfect!!
Thank you Cathleen. I hope you try it.
This is my go-to recipe for tandoori chicken, in fact, your blog is my go-to for all Indian recipes, and cake recipe, and cupcake recipes.
Ah well, I love all your recipes. I have never had a failed recipe from your blog ever! and I have been on your blog for over 5 years now. So I have lost count of all the recipes I have tried so far. This one though is the best tandoori chicken recipe and I had to comment and let you know. Thanks for always sharing detailed recipes.
Thank you so much, Michelle. You just made my day. I love getting such feedback about my recipes. I know what you mean. This is a very popular recipe on my blog and for good reason. Thank yous so much for taking the time to come back to write this feedback. So happy you are enjoying my recipes and my blog.
That just looked amazing. And seriously its the best way to cook it, Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Clarie. Yes, I love to cook it like this.
Thank you so much for this recipe. I made it and my family loved it. Truly is delicious. Was so easy to make too.
Thank you so much Lewis so happy to hear you have great success.
Good article, your sharing is so nice, love your work!
Thank you !
Hi Veena,
very nice recipe and must say beautiful pictures with all detail.I am an ardent fan of your cake blog… and i just found your cooking blog and i must say its awesome too..
Your blogs remind me of a proverb…
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.
Thanks once again for taking time from your busy schedule and making a difference to so many aspiring women to learn baking ,decorating and cooking.
Take care
Neetha Pereira