Indian · Dinner

Tandoori chicken

Draft recipe — not kitchen-tested
Non-vegMedium

Diet: Non-veg · Gluten-free · High-protein

Roast yogurt-marinated chicken legs at high heat. This oven adaptation uses paprika for colour and no artificial red dye.

Prep
20 min
Cook
40 min
Soak, marinate, rise or chill
245 min
Total
305 min
Servings
4
Difficulty
Medium
Cuisine
Indian
Course
Dinner

Estimated times for the original batch. Preparation, cooking and listed waiting time are included. Batch cooking can take longer.

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Representative photograph of tandoori chicken
Representative photograph of tandoori chicken. This photograph is not a result of testing this draft. Photo credit and licence
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Ingredients

Metric weights use grams. US weights use ounces; liquids use fluid ounces. Conversions are rounded. Spoon measures use 5 ml teaspoons and 15 ml tablespoons; cups use 240 ml.

Serves 4

Choose any positive whole number of servings. Ingredients and measured amounts in steps scale together. Times, temperatures and equipment stay unchanged. For larger yields, cook separate original-size batches. Counted ingredients can become fractions; beat eggs before dividing them. Fixed correction-water checks remain fixed.

Chicken

Equipment

Oven; baking tray; rack; foil; bowl; tongs; thermometer.

Check all product labels and cross-contact. Diet groups describe this listed draft, not every substitution.

Steps

Marinate · About 240 min

  1. Do not wash raw chicken. Cut two shallow slits in each piece of 1000 g chicken drumsticks and thighs, bone-in. Mix 200 g yogurt, 25 g ginger-garlic paste, 30 ml lemon juice, 25 ml neutral oil, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp garam masala, ½ tsp turmeric and 1 tsp salt. Coat the chicken with this marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.

Heat the oven · About 10 min

  1. During the last 10 minutes of marinating, heat the oven to 220°C / 425°F. Place a rack over a foil-lined tray. Keep the chicken refrigerated until the oven is hot.

Roast · About 40 min

  1. Place the chicken on the rack. Roast for 35–45 minutes, turning halfway.

    Check: Check thick pieces beside the bone reach 74°C / 165°F.

Rest · About 5 min

  1. Rest for 5 minutes before serving. Discard uncooked leftover marinade.

    Check: The outside may char lightly; avoid burned black areas.

Tips

  • A rack lets excess marinade drain rather than steam.
  • Avoid deep cuts that expose the bone.

Substitutions

  • Use boneless thighs; begin checking after 20 minutes.
  • Use mild chili powder instead of paprika for more heat.

Storage

  • Refrigerate perishable food within two hours, or within one hour in heat above 32°C / 90°F. Store covered at 4°C / 40°F or below. Use within two days for this draft.
  • Reheat cooked dishes to 74°C / 165°F, stirring or turning for even heating. Serve cold salads, dips and chilled desserts directly from safe refrigeration.
  • For sauces and soups, add a little water if thick and reheat gently. Crisp coatings soften after storage.

Make ahead

  • Marinate up to one day ahead in the fridge.
  • Line the tray and prepare the rack before cooking.

FAQ

Is this made in a tandoor?

No. This draft uses a hot household oven.

Why is it not bright red?

No food dye is used. Paprika gives a softer red colour.

Can I leave it marinating on the counter?

No. Keep raw chicken refrigerated and limit time outside the fridge.

Food safety references

FoodSafety.gov: cooking temperatures · Food Standards Agency: rice storage and reheating