Cooking a delicious chicken dish at home doesn't have to be tricky. Learn how to make authentic Tandoori Chicken, one of the most popular and flavorful Indian dishes. Follow this step-by-step guide to bring the rich, smoky goodness of the tandoor oven into your kitchen.

Introduction to Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori Chicken is a dish that has been enjoyed for generations in India and beyond. It's traditionally cooked in a clay oven called a Tandoor, which imparts a distinct smoky flavor that is hard to replicate. But with a grill, you can achieve a similar result without the need for specialized equipment.

Ingredients and Equipment Needed

For this recipe, you'll need:

1 kilogram chicken, cut into pieces 1 tablespoon garlic paste Salt as required 1 teaspoon cumin powder 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon garam masala powder 2 tablespoons mustard oil 1 tablespoon corn flour 1 tablespoon ginger paste 2 teaspoons red chilli powder 1 teaspoon turmeric 2 teaspoons coriander powder 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 cup yoghurt curd 1 tablespoon kasoori methi powder

Marination Process

To create the authentic Tandoori chicken flavor, start by washing the chicken pieces and patting them dry. Next, prepare the marinade in a large bowl. Combine:

1 cup yoghurt 1 tablespoon lemon juice Ginger-garlic paste 2 teaspoons red chilli powder 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon cumin powder 1 teaspoon black pepper powder 2 teaspoons coriander powder 1 tablespoon garam masala powder 1 tablespoon kasoori methi powder 1 tablespoon mustard oil Salt to taste

Thoroughly coat the chicken pieces in the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-covered. Place the marinated chicken in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 8-10 hours or overnight. After marinating, let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before cooking.

Preparation and Cooking

Once the chicken is ready, preheat your grill or oven to 200 degrees Celsius. While the oven heats up, you can prepare the grill if you're cooking on a charcoal grill. The smoky flavor of a charcoal grill adds a delightful twist to the dish.

Place the marinated chicken pieces on a baking tray or grill and cook for about 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking. If using a grill, you can also place the chicken directly over the charcoal for a smokier flavor, as this emulates the traditional Tandoor cooking method.

Conclusion

With this recipe, you can easily bring the authentic taste of Tandoori Chicken to your home. It's perfect for a special dinner or a casual weeknight meal. Give it a try, and don't forget to let us know how it goes in the comments below!

Enjoy your cooking and the deliciousness the Tandoori Chicken offers!