Indian Chicken Tandoori Recipe: A Speciality Dish with a Taste of History

Tandoori chicken, that classic Indian dish of marinated, grilled chicken is a popular street food that can be found from Pakistan to Sri Lanka. It is often accompanied by a variety of side dishes such as raita and salad. The dish is traditionally cooked in a clay oven called a tandoor, but it’s also possible to make this dish in an electric or gas oven.

Learn the history of tandoori chicken

The word tandoori chicken originates from the Hindi word “tandoor” which means a traditional clay oven, used to cook the dish. The use of the clay oven was adopted by Indian people when they moved to Pakistan during the partition in 1947. Tandoori chicken has gained popularity across the world, with versions that differ somewhat in ingredients and method. It is typically accompanied by rice or naan bread. It's difficult to locate an Indian restaurant that doesn't provide this dish.

Get all the right ingredients

The first step is to make sure you have all the ingredients on hand. To make tandoori chicken, your list of ingredients should include: - 1/2 cup plain yogurt - 1 tbsp. fresh ginger, peeled and grated - 1 tbsp. garlic, minced - 2 tsp. ground cumin - 2 tsp. ground coriander - 2 tsp. paprika powder - 3 tsp for cayenne pepper - If desired, sprinkle with garam masala spice combination or chilli powder. - 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts - 3 tsps of vegetable oil

Prepare the marinade for the chicken

You’ll need: - 2 tbsp vegetable oil - 1 tbsp ginger and garlic paste - 3 tsp ground cumin - 2 tsp red chilli powder - 2 tsp ground coriander - 1/2 tsp turmeric - 1/2 tsp salt - 1/4 cup plain yogurt or sour cream - 4 cloves of garlic, crushed with the back of a knife or with a mortar and pestle (optional)

Grill the tandoori chicken

To grill the tandoori chicken, you will need: 1. A Tandoor 2. Fresh Grilled Chicken 3. Marinade 4. Indian Seasonings 5. Tomato Sauce 6. Ginger-Garlic Paste 7. Chili Powder 8. Paprika 9. Turmeric Powder 10. Vegetable Oil or Ghee (clarified butter) for greasing the tandoor and the grill plate of a pan grill)

How to grill each side of the chicken

You will need: - One whole chicken cut into 8 pieces (thighs and drumsticks removed and halved) - 3 tablespoons vegetable oil - 1 teaspoon ground red pepper - 2 teaspoons salt - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper - ½ teaspoon garlic powder - ½ onion, grated or chopped finely 1. Clean the grill with a wire brush to remove any leftover residue from previous use. To keep the grate from sticking, brush it with oil. Heat the grill to medium-high. If the grill gets too dry, re-oil it. 2. In a bowl, mix together salt, garlic powder, ground red pepper, and onion flakes. Rub this mixture all over the chicken pieces on both sides of the meat for a deep flavour that will stay even after cooking in your oven. 3. Place one piece of chicken onto the preheated grill and cook for about 10 minutes per side until cooked through and browned on both sides. 4. Remove from heat and serve hot with raita or salad on the side.

Finish off with your favourite side dish

Tandoori chicken is best served with a side dish of raita, a yogurt-based dish that is often flavoured with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and herbs. If you're not able to find this dish locally, feel free to substitute an Indian-style salad or serve the tandoori chicken with rice or naan bread. This recipe is great for anyone who loves Indian food and is fairly easy to make at home with the right recipe. With the simple steps, you will be able to make Tandoori chicken like a pro. Or simply order it fresh from The Yarra Indian Restaurant! Assemble your spice rack because it's time to cook! See how delicious this dish looks? It’s worth the effort of making it at home for your friends and family. And with these easy steps, you can too!