Learn how to make authentic-style Tandoori Chicken at home - no tandoor required. This recipe uses a traditional two-step marinade with lemon and yogurt to create tender, deeply seasoned chicken with a beautifully charred finish, all made in a regular oven.
Servings 4leg quarters
Course Entree
Cuisine Indian
Ingredients
4Chicken leg quarters
1/2cupCanola Oilor any other oil with a high smoke point such as Peanut or Avocado Oil
2tspKashmiri Red Chili Powderor Smoked Paprika
1tspGaram Masala Powder
1/4tbspLemon Juice
1tbspGinger-garlic Paste
1/2cupGreek Yogurt
2tspSalt
Method
Preparation
Remove the skin from the chicken leg quarters.
Cut 3 slits on the thighs and drumsticks with a sharp knife. Make a cut in the join between the thigh and drumstick and cut the tendon (you’ll see it) at the bottom of the drumstick.
These cuts are important to ensure that the spices get into the chicken and also cutting the tendon helps to cook the drumstick better and the meat comes off the bone easily, see the photograph.
If you’re using plain yogurt instead of Greek Yogurt then you need to hang the yogurt in a cheese cloth for 20-30 minutes so you can get all the moisture out. You want to use a thick yogurt for the marinade.
Pre-Marination
Mix 1/2 tbsp of Ginger-garlic Paste, 1 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder, 1 tsp Salt in about 2-3 tbsp of Lemon Juice. Apply this to the chicken and let it sit in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes.
Second Marination
In a large bowl combine the yogurt, 2 tsp Ginger-garlic Paste, 1 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder, 1 tbsp Garam Masala, 1/2 tsp Salt and 1 tbsp Oil.
Since we already salted the chicken with the first marinade, when you add salt to the yogurt it should not taste too salty.
Whisk all of these ingredients together so they are mixed well.
Apply this marinade to the chicken, coating it well on both sides and especially make sure that the marinade gets into the cuts. Let the chicken marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours; if I’m not in a hurry I usually let it marinate overnight.
Bake the Chicken
Line a broiler pan with aluminum foil and also the drip tray as it will make it easier for you to clean them when you’re done making the chicken.
On the broiler pan make several slits in the aluminum foil right where the openings are on the broiler pan. This is required so that the juices drip onto the tray and makes it less likely that your chicken will catch fire when you’re broiling it. And more importantly, we're not looking to poach the chicken in the juices, we're going for the grilled taste.
Place the marinated chicken leg quarters on the tray, applying a layer of oil on the pan where you place them. Also, brush some oil onto the top of the chicken.
Put the tray with the chicken leg quarters into an oven pre-heated to 450 F.
After about 15 minutes remove the chicken from the oven and brush oil onto the top side, turn it over and brush some oil on the other side as well and return the broiler pan into the oven.
Bake it for another 15-20 minutes, watching the chicken so that it does not overcook and then take the chicken out of the oven and give it another brushing of oil.
Broil the Chicken
Change your oven’s setting to broil and then put the broiler pan into the broiler tray and broil for about 6-10 minutes. Check it after about 5 minutes to ensure that it has not charred too much. You want to broil it to get the distinct tandoori flavor with some char on the flesh and the appetizing color.
Enjoy Tandoori Chicken
Remove the chicken from the broiler and serve right away with lemon wedges. Tandoori Chicken also goes very well with Green Chutney.
Why Marinate in Two Steps?Traditional tandoori recipes often use a two-step marination process:
The first marinade (lemon juice, salt, and spices) directly seasons and tenderizes the chicken. This helps the flavors penetrate more deeply into the meat.
The second marinade (yogurt, spices, and oil) builds richness and forms the flavorful coating that creates the classic tandoori crust when cooked at high heat.
While you can combine everything into a single marinade for convenience, this two-step method produces deeper flavor and a better-textured finish. The one-step marinade recipe follows, if that's how you want to do it.One-Step Marinade VersionIn a large bowl, whisk together:
1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
2 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder
1 tbsp Garam Masala
1 ½ tsp Salt
2-3 tbsp Lemon Juice
1 tbsp Oil
½ cup Yogurt
Apply this marinade to the chicken, making sure to coat well and massage into the cuts. Marinate at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.