This air fryer tandoori chicken recipe allows you to make classic Indian cuisine at home. You can achieve the signature charred texture and deep, rich taste without the need for a tandoor oven or outdoor grill.
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What is Tandoori Chicken?
I see many people searching for the terms:
- “How is tandoori chicken made”
- “What is in tandoori chicken?”
- “What does tandoori chicken taste like”
- “Why is tandoori chicken so popular?”
If you are one of them, you are in the right place. Before diving into the details, let’s first explain what tandoori chicken is and why it has become a beloved dish around the world.
Tandoori chicken is a popular Indian dish made by marinating chicken in a mixture of yogurt, spices, and other seasonings, and then cooking it at high temperatures, typically in a tandoor oven.
A tandoor is a traditional clay or metal oven, usually shaped like a cylindrical pot, that uses charcoal or wood to generate intense heat, allowing for quick and even cooking.
The marinade for tandoori chicken typically includes yogurt, ginger, garlic, lemon juice, and a blend of spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, and garam masala. This combination tenderizes the chicken and imparts a rich, complex flavor with a balance of tangy, spicy, and aromatic notes. Paprika or red food coloring is often added to give the dish its vibrant red-orange hue.
Tandoori chicken is often served with various accompaniments like naan bread, basmati rice, or cooling condiments such as raita or chutneys. It’s a staple in Indian cuisine, loved for its bold flavors and versatile presentation, whether as an appetizer, a main course, or a component in other dishes like wraps or salads.
How to Make Tandoori Chicken without Tandoori?
While traditionally cooked in a tandoor, tandoori chicken can also be prepared on a grill, in a conventional oven, or even in an air fryer. The high heat creates a charred exterior, enhancing the texture and adding a smoky flavor while keeping the chicken tender and juicy.
My favorite way to make tandoori chicken without tandoori is by using my Typhur Dome air fryer. This air fryer provides high heat and even air circulation, which are key factors in replicating the tandoori cooking method.
Best Chicken for Air Fryer Tandoori Cooking
The best chicken for tandoori cooking is bone-in cuts, such as drumsticks, thighs, or leg quarters. These cuts are ideal because they remain tender and juicy during the high-heat cooking process, whether in a traditional tandoor, oven, or grill.
The bone structure helps retain moisture, preventing the chicken from drying out and provides a deeper flavor compared to boneless cuts.
Step 1: Prepare the tandoori chicken marinade
Yogurt acts as a base to carry spices and other flavoring agents in the marinade. Its creamy texture allows it to cling to the chicken, ensuring even distribution of spices like ginger, garlic, and Kashmiri chili powder. This leads to a more flavorful and consistent outcome.
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 each garlic clove
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 1 tbsp Kashmiri chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tsp dried fenugreek
- 1 tsp Garam marsala
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Thoroughly coat each drumstick in the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours.
Step 2: Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Legs
- Preheat the Typhur Dome to 355°F/ 180°C. (Around 5 minutes)
- Lightly spray the cooking tray with non-stick spray before placing the chicken in the cooking tray and returning it to the Typhur Dome.
- Allow the chicken to cook for 15 minutes at 355℉/180℃. Once the cooking time has been completed, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should register at 165°F. If needed continue cooking the chicken in 2-minute intervals.
- Carefully remove the chicken from a serving plate or tray.
- We like to enjoy these flavor-packed drumsticks with steamed basmati rice and our roasted cauliflower recipe.
What to Serve with Tandoori Chicken?
With these sides, you can create a balanced and satisfying meal that complements the vibrant flavors of tandoori chicken.
Sous Vide Asparagus
Sous vide asparagus is a refined and delicious side dish that complements the bold flavors of tandoori chicken. The sous vide method ensures the asparagus is perfectly cooked, with a tender texture while retaining its vibrant color and nutrients.
Get the sous vide asparagus recipe
Air Fryer Corn Ribs
These air fryer corn ribs are corn on the cob, sliced into quarters, and cooked to crispy perfection. They’re a fun, finger-friendly way to enjoy corn, and using an air fryer makes them super easy and quick.
Get the air fryer corn ribs recipe
FAQs about Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori chicken has a complex and bold flavor profile. The marinade, which often consists of yogurt, garlic, ginger, lemon juice, and a mix of spices like cumin, coriander, paprika, and garam masala, imparts a balance of tangy, spicy, and earthy notes. The yogurt base gives the chicken a creamy undertone and helps tenderize the meat. The cooking process, often done in a tandoor (a traditional clay or metal oven), or using high heat in an oven or air fryer, creates a slightly smoky flavor with a crispy, charred exterior and juicy, tender meat inside.
– Chicken Tikka: This dish features boneless chicken pieces (often breast or thigh) marinated in a similar blend of yogurt and spices as tandoori chicken. These smaller pieces are usually skewered and cooked, making them ideal for appetizers or use in dishes like chicken tikka masala.
– Tandoori Chicken: Typically made with whole chicken legs or drumsticks, tandoori chicken involves larger cuts of bone-in chicken. It is also marinated in yogurt and spices, then cooked at high heat, often in a tandoor. The key difference lies in the cut of chicken used, with tandoori chicken focusing on larger bone-in pieces, while chicken tikka uses smaller, boneless portions.
Tandoori chicken gets its characteristic red color mainly from Kashmiri red chili powder, a spice derived from dried and ground Kashmiri red chilies. This chili powder is known for its intense red hue, adding a vibrant color to dishes without overwhelming spiciness. It’s a staple in many Indian recipes because it provides a visual appeal without excessive heat.
Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
- Tongs
- Bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 8 each chicken drumsticks
- Vegetable oil spray as needed
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 each garlic clove finely chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Kashmiri chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tsp dried fenugreek
- 1 tsp Garam marsala
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine the marinade ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix until well combined.1/2 cup plain yogurt, 2 each garlic clove, 1 tbsp ginger, 1 tbsp Kashmiri chili powder, 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, 2 tsp dried fenugreek, 1 tsp Garam marsala, 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Thoroughly coat each drumstick in the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours.8 each chicken drumsticks
- Preheat the Typhur Dome to 355°F/ 180°C. (Around 5 minutes）
- Lightly spray the cooking tray with non-stick spray before placing the chicken in the cooking tray and returning it to the Typhur Dome.
- Allow the chicken to cook for 15 minutes at 355℉/180℃. Once the cooking time has been completed, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should register at 165°F. If needed continue cooking the chicken in 2-minute intervals.
- Carefully remove the chicken from a serving plate or tray.
- We like to enjoy these flavor-packed drumsticks with steamed basmati rice and our roasted cauliflower recipe.
Nutrition PER SERVING
(Nutrition information is calculated automatically by Spoonacular API and should be considered an estimate.)
I made this with a few modifications.I used legs and thighs and since the recipe neglected to say when to put the lemon juice in, I just put it in with the marinade. I cooked it about 10minutes longer than called for. The results were wonderful. Crispy, savory chicken!