How to Make Restaurant-Style Tandoori Chicken at Home

Tandoori chicken is a beloved dish in Punjabi cuisine. It is renowned for its flavours and smoky aroma. This Punjabi famous food is marinated chicken cooked in a traditional clay oven, or tandoor, which gives it a unique char and tenderness. The rich blend of spices and yogurt creates a mouthwatering experience that showcases the essence of Indian culinary traditions.

Preparation Time: 240 Minutes,
Cooking Time: 40 Minutes,
Total Time: 280 Minutes

Ingredients Required to Make Tandoori Chicken

• – 2 packets Zorabian Chicken Leg Skinless (450 gms each)
• – 1 cup Yogurt
• – 2 tbsp Lemon juice
• – 2 tbsp Ginger garlic paste
• – 1 tbsp Red chili powder
• – 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• – 1 tsp Garam masala
• – 1 tsp Cumin powder
• – 1 tsp Coriander powder
• – Salt to taste
• – 2 tbsp Mustard oil
• – 2 tbsp Butter for basting
• – Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Cooking Instructions to Prepare Tandoori Chicken

1. – Prepare the chicken: Wash and pat dry the chicken pieces. Make piercings or cuts on them to allow the marinade to penetrate.
2. – Prepare the Marinade: Prepare the marinade by mixing yogurt, lemon juice, ginger garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, cumin powder, coriander powder, salt, and mustard oil to form a thick paste.
3. – Marinate the Chicken: Rub the marinade over the chicken. It should get into the cuts or piercings. Cover it and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
4. – Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 200°C (390°F) or prepare a charcoal grill.
5. – Cook the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken on a baking tray or grill. Roast in the oven or grill for 30-40 minutes. If you are using a whole chicken, it may take longer. Turn it occasionally and baste with melted butter.
6. – Serve: Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot with lemon wedges and salad.

Now that you’ve seen how to make it, let’s dive into why this recipe has become a favourite for so many.

Tandoori Chicken is a quintessential dish originating from Punjabi cuisine, known for its vivid colour, smoky aroma, and deeply marinated flavours. While it’s a staple in Indian restaurants worldwide, there’s a growing trend of food enthusiasts seeking to recreate this restaurant-style delight at home. Crafting Tandoori Chicken in your kitchen not only brings a slice of Punjabi culture into your home but also allows you to control the ingredients and personalize them to your taste. Here’s why people love making restaurant-style Tandoori Chicken at home and how you can too.

The Joy of Authentic Flavors

One of the primary reasons people love making Tandoori Chicken at home is the ability to capture authentic flavours. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and traditional spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala, along with the characteristic red chilli for that famous fiery hue. This marinade is key to achieving the deep, complex flavours typical of a restaurant-style dish. By preparing it at home, you can ensure the freshness of the ingredients and adjust the spice levels to suit your palate.

Healthier and Customizable

Making Tandoori Chicken at home allows for a healthier version of this classic dish. Restaurants often use red food colouring to achieve the bright colour, but at home, you can opt for natural alternatives like beet powder or paprika. Additionally, you can control the amount of salt and oil, making it a healthier option without compromising on taste. Customization doesn’t stop at health; you can also experiment with different marinades and cooking techniques to find your perfect version of the dish.

The Thrill of Cooking with Fire

There’s something inherently exciting about cooking with fire, and recreating restaurant-style Tandoori Chicken at home allows you to do just that. If you have a grill or a tandoor, you can mimic the high-heat cooking method that gives the chicken its signature char and smoky flavour. The process of watching the chicken sizzle and smoke is not only thrilling but also incredibly rewarding.

A Cultural and Culinary Education

Cooking Tandoori Chicken at home is a fantastic way to dive deeper into Punjabi cuisine and culture. It provides an opportunity to learn about the spices and techniques that define this culinary tradition. Moreover, preparing this dish can be an educational activity for families, especially when explaining the origins and significance of the dish to children, fostering a broader appreciation for diverse cultures and cuisines.

Perfect for Social Gatherings

Tandoori Chicken is a great dish for social gatherings and family dinners. It’s a crowd-pleaser that brings people together and sparks conversation. Serving restaurant-style Tandoori Chicken at home can turn any ordinary meal into a festive occasion, allowing you to share a piece of Indian culinary artistry with friends and family.

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Discover the ultimate chicken experience with Zorabian Fresh Chicken, available both raw and in mouthwatering marinated options like Chicken Tikkas, alongside an enticing range of Ready-to-Cook Chicken Products. Please find us at your convenience: online through Big Basket, Zepto, Blinkit, or in-store at modern trade outlets such as Nature’s Basket or at our trusted general trade partner stores near you. Also, you can order chicken online via our website. Elevate your culinary adventures with friends and family, relishing your cherished chicken dishes. For an extra dash of inspiration, visit the Zorabian blog, where we share a collection of delectable chicken recipes that promise to delight your taste buds and enhance your cooking journey.