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Grilled Tandoori Chicken Recipe

Tender chicken thighs (or breast) marinated in a vibrant yogurt-spice blend—garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, cayenne—then grilled until smoky, crusted, and flavorful. Serve with cooling raita, naan or rice, and grilled vegetables.

  • Time to Cook: 30 minutes
  • Serving: 4–6
  • Difficulty Level: 2 out of 4
Grilled Tandoori Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

For Grilled Tandoori Chicken Recipe

  • Chicken thighs (boneless) 2 lb
  • Plain whole‑milk yogurt ½ cup
  • Garlic, minced 6 cloves
  • Lime juice 2 Tbsp
  • Olive oil 1 Tbsp
  • Kosher or sea salt 2 tsp
  • Ground cumin 1 Tbsp
  • Ground coriander 2 tsp
  • Paprika (not smoked) 2 tsp
  • Ground turmeric 1½ tsp
  • Cayenne pepper ½ tsp
  • Ground ginger ½ tsp
  • Ground clove ½ tsp
  • Ground cardamom ¼ tsp

Steps for Making

    Instructions

  1. Whisk yogurt, garlic, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and spices until smooth. Add chicken and marinate at least 20 minutes (or up to 48 hours for stronger flavor).
  2. Preheat grill to medium-high. Clean and oil the grate. If using wooden skewers, soak them for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
  3. Grill chicken for about 4–5 minutes per side until deeply charred and crusted. Do not move too soon to preserve the crust.
  4. Move chicken to indirect heat or reduce grill temperature; cover or transfer to 350 °F oven to finish cooking (~10–15 mins) until done.
  5. Serve immediately with raita, grilled naan or basmati rice, and grilled vegetables.

    Notes and Variations

  1. Vegetarian option: Use the marinade on tofu or paneer; grill or bake for a flavorful plant-based version.
  2. Chicken breast substitute: Reduce grilling time to avoid dryness.
  3. Marination tip: Allow 24–48 hours for deeper, more tender flavor infusion.
  4. Nutrition per Serving (~5.5 oz)

Nutritional Values

  • Calories: ~145 mg
  • Dietary Fiber: ~0.8 g
  • Protein: ~32.5 g
  • Carbs: ~4.1 g
  • Fats: ~10.2 g
  • Sugars: ~1.2 g

* Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients used. Values may vary.