How to Make Perfect Tandoori Chicken: An Authentic Guide to Smoky Flavours

Tandoori chicken is a classic dish that brings the rich, smoky flavours of a traditional tandoor oven to your home kitchen. With this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to marinate, prepare, and cook chicken that’s juicy, flavourful, and perfectly charred, even without a tandoor.

For more ways to elevate your chicken dishes, check out our Perfectly Seasoned Crispy Chicken recipe.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you’ll need:

• 1 kg chicken (legs or drumsticks, skin removed)
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon garlic paste
• 1 tablespoon ginger paste
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons red chili powder (Kashmiri preferred)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (for a smoky, grilled aroma)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
• 1 tablespoon parsley (for garnish)
• Optional: Red food colouring for vibrant colour

Preparing the Chicken

To ensure the marinade penetrates deeply, prepare the chicken by making deep slashes across each piece. For drumsticks or legs, make diagonal cuts along the thickest part. These cuts allow the marinade to soak in and infuse every bite with rich flavour.

Step-by-Step Tandoori Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

In a large mixing bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, vegetable oil, salt, garlic paste, ginger paste, cayenne pepper, red chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric powder, ground black pepper, tomato paste, and kasuri methi. Whisk until smooth, creating a fragrant marinade rich in spices and tanginess.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Add the chicken pieces to the bowl, coating them well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. Marinating is crucial for both flavour and tenderness, so avoid cutting this step short.

Step 3: Preheat the Grill

When ready to cook, preheat your grill to a high temperature. If using a charcoal grill, ensure the coals are glowing red hot. Tandoori chicken thrives at high heat, allowing the outside to char beautifully while keeping the inside juicy.

Step 4: Grill the Chicken

Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the pieces on the hot grill and cook for about 20–25 minutes, turning occasionally. The internal temperature should reach 75°C (165°F) for safety. This step brings out the signature char and colour that tandoori chicken is famous for.

For more on grilling tips, check out our Ultimate Guide to Baked Chicken Wings.

Step 5: Serve

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to lock in its juices. Pair it with naan, rice, or a fresh cucumber salad for a balanced and refreshing meal. You might enjoy our Hooyos Perfect Rice seasoning to complete your meal.

How to Achieve the Tandoor Smoky Flavour

To recreate that traditional smoky flavour without a tandoor, try these two effective techniques:

1. Use Smoked Paprika: Adding smoked paprika to the marinade provides a subtle smoky aroma, mimicking the essence of BBQ grilling. It enhances the depth of flavour and infuses the chicken with a hint of outdoor cooking.
2. Charcoal Smoking Method: After cooking, place the chicken in a large pot with a tight-fitting lid. Shape a piece of aluminium foil into a small bowl, place it on top of the chicken, and add a lit piece of charcoal. Drizzle a few drops of vegetable oil on the charcoal, then cover immediately to trap the smoke. Allow it to infuse for 4–5 minutes for an intense BBQ-like aroma.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Tandoori Chicken

• Bone-in Chicken for Juiciness: Using bone-in pieces helps retain moisture while cooking, ensuring each bite is juicy.
• Yogurt-Based Marinades: Yogurt tenderises the chicken and helps it absorb flavours quickly. Just 4–8 hours of marination can make a big difference.
• Experiment with Spices: Feel free to customise the spice levels to your preference, adding or reducing the cayenne or chili powder for a milder or spicier taste.

Cooking Tandoori Chicken Tikka in the Oven

If you don’t have a grill, an oven works as a great alternative:

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Prepare for Baking: Place the marinated chicken on a baking sheet lined with aluminium foil.
3. Bake: Cook for 20–25 minutes, turning halfway for even cooking.
4. Broil for a Smoky Finish: For a charred, smoky flavour, place the chicken under the broiler for 5 minutes at the end.

Nutritional Information (Per 100g Serving)

Pros and Cons

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use boneless chicken?
   Yes, boneless chicken works well and cooks faster. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.
2. What sides pair best?
   Serve with naan, basmati rice, or a cooling cucumber salad. Mint chutney also adds a fresh contrast to the spices.
3. How long can I store leftovers?
   Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

A Better Experience

Tandoori chicken is a flavourful, protein-packed dish that’s easy to make at home. But let’s be real—finding a truly authentic seasoning blend that captures the depth of traditional tandoori flavour without hours of prep can be tough. It’s especially hard to recreate the warmth and aroma that remind you of the meals you grew up with.

Imagine if there was a way to bring that familiar, smoky taste into your kitchen—without compromise, without the hunt for endless spices, and with a unique touch that speaks to East African heritage. That’s exactly what Hooyos House Tandoori Chicken offers.

Our blend is more than just tandoori seasoning; it’s tandoori with a soulful, East African twist. Created for busy home cooks who want to serve their family authentic flavours but need convenience, this blend makes it easy to achieve restaurant-quality results with every dish. Each pouch captures the smoky, spiced essence of classic tandoori and infuses it with the warm, vibrant influences of Somali cuisine.

Bring the best of both worlds to your table with Hooyos House Tandoori Chicken—your easy, delicious solution for authentic flavour, ready in minutes.