Tandoori Chicken is a classic Indian dish that is healthy, easy to cook, and definitely a crowd-pleaser. Spicy chicken marinated in yogurt, red Kashmiri chili powder, fresh ginger, garlic, Garam Masala and then perfectly grilled! Whenever I want to bring a dish to a summer party, this tender and juicy dish comes to mind.
My husband loves Tandoori Chicken. For years, we ate it in restaurants and our fingers would turn red from the food coloring used. Every time we went to India, we enjoyed my mother's Tandoori Chicken on her mini tandoor on the terrace, and it was so much tastier and brightly red, without artificial dyes. When I asked her, she revealed the secret to me that the mild Kashmiri chili powder gives her Tandoori Chicken its bright hue. Besides yogurt, fresh ginger, and garlic, the other important ingredient in this recipe is homemade Garam Masala.
Finally, I got her recipe and realized how easy it was to make Tandoori Chicken at home. Before we knew it, it was on our repeat list. It's also my favorite dish when I have guests and for balmy summer evenings.
I am very excited to share my modern and easy recipe for Tandoori Chicken with the air fryer with you. The best part is that the pieces cook in the air fryer in just 15 minutes, so less than half the time needed in a conventional oven.
These spicy chicken drumsticks are perfectly juicy, beautifully crispy, and have a slightly braised exterior that seals in all that flavor. The drumsticks are marinated like the classic in warming spices and creamy yogurt. You won't believe how quick and effortless it is to prepare this Indian favorite with the same authentic taste and much less work in the air fryer.
Tandoori chicken drumsticks from the air fryer are perfect for family meals or as a main dish at parties and gatherings. Chicken drumsticks are inexpensive and harder to overcook, so they're a good choice for larger gatherings. Believe me, just the sight of the plate with spiced Tandoori Chicken will make everyone hungry, if the aroma filling the house doesn't do it first.
This recipe shows you how to make the perfect Tandoori Chicken in the air fryer.
Don't have an air fryer? Make Tandoori Chicken in your oven! It's easy.
What is Tandoori Chicken?
Tandoori is a cooking style from the Indian subcontinent that refers to cooking food in a clay oven, also called a Tandoor. Traditional Tandoori Chicken is marinated in yogurt and bold spices before being roasted in the clay oven.
Since most of us don't have clay ovens, there are other ways we can replicate the cooking methods with our own kitchen appliances like an oven, outdoor grill, or air fryer.
Ingredients for Tandoori Chicken
- Chicken – Bone-in chicken drumsticks are best for this recipe for a tender, juicy, and moist dish.
- Yogurt – Full-fat yogurt, you could also use plain Greek yogurt.
- Spices - Mild red chili powder from Kashmir, turmeric, and Garam Masala.
- Ginger & Garlic – Fresh homemade ginger and garlic paste adds authentic flavors.
- Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice to tenderize the meat
FAQs
How do you store leftover chicken drumsticks?
It's best to store leftover drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay fresh for up to 3 days. Reheat the drumsticks in your air fryer/oven at 350 degrees for no longer than 4 minutes.
Can you use chicken wings instead of drumsticks?
Yes, you can also make chicken wings in the air fryer/oven with this recipe. You may want to adjust the cooking time as chicken wings are smaller and cook faster. Check them after about 10 minutes.
How do I make sure the chicken drumsticks are ready to eat?
The safe cooking temperature for chicken drumsticks is 74°C. Check the temperature with a digital thermometer at the thickest part of the drumstick.
How do I get the charred marks on the drumsticks?
To get the charred spots, simply leave the chicken in the air fryer/oven for another 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them.
What do I serve with this recipe?
Since this chicken has so much bold flavor, pair it with something milder. I usually make some vegetable biryani to serve with it. Together, they make a very hearty meal.
Whenever I serve something spicy, I crave something sweet and sour to balance it out. In this case, serve some Pineapple Raita.
If you want to serve this as a light lunch, it's a good idea to pair it with a crunchy Indian cucumber salad for a low-carb meal.
Don't forget light drinks! Try the soothing Mango Lassi or the Nimbu Shikanji!
Ingredients for 2 people
- 6 pcs. chicken drumsticks, skinless
- ½ cup regular or low-fat plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp garlic paste
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 ½ tbsp Kashmiri chili powder or paprika powder
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 ½ tsp Garam Masala
- 1 tbsp Kasoori Methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
- 2 tsp cooking salt
- 1 tbsp oil (for brushing during preparation in the oven / on the grill)
For garnish
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- 1 small red onion, sliced
Instructions
Make 3-4 slits across each drumstick.
Whisk yogurt, ginger, garlic, lemon juice, red chili powder, turmeric, Garam Masala, Kasoori Methi (dried fenugreek leaves), and salt into a marinade.
Spread evenly over the chicken pieces and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes or up to 24 hours.
Preparation in the air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the marinated chicken in the basket and spray it with oil.
Fry at 180°C for 15 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through and spray it lightly with oil again.
After completing the cooking cycle, check the internal temperature of the thickest piece and make sure it is 74°C. You could cook the chicken for another 1 to 2 minutes to get the characteristic charred spots, but be careful not to cook it for too long.
Serve with fresh lemon wedges and Dhaniya Pudina Chutney. Combine it with crunchy Kakdi Koshimbir, my Indian cucumber salad for a delicious low-carb meal.
Note:
The amount of food you can prepare at one time depends on the size of your air fryer basket. Make sure that the air fryer basket is not too full and that there is enough space between two pieces of chicken. Cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer. Always check the internal temperature with a digital thermometer and extend the cooking time if necessary.
Preparation in the oven or on the grill
Preheat the grill or oven to 225°C. Take the chicken out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling. Brush the chicken with some cooking oil and arrange it on a grill pan or on the outdoor grill.
You can grill the drumsticks on an outdoor grill for about 20 minutes or until the juices run clear.
Alternatively, you can bake the pieces in an oven for 15 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of grilling to get some perfectly grilled, charred spots.
Tips
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry to avoid excess liquid in the marinade.
- Marinate the chicken for at least 20 minutes, but preferably overnight or up to 24 hours in total.
- Discard any leftover marinade or brush it onto the chicken drumsticks before cooking.
I look forward to hearing from you...
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