Spicy Tandoori Chicken Recipe

Restaurant Style Spicy Tandoori Chicken Recipe

If you love bold, smoky, and spicy flavors, then this Spicy Tandoori Chicken Recipe at Home is something you must try. Tandoori chicken is one of the most popular Indian dishes, known for its vibrant color, rich marinade, and charred smoky taste.

Traditionally, tandoori chicken is cooked in a clay oven called a tandoor, but honestly most of us don’t have that at home. The good news is, you can still achieve a very similar flavor using an oven, grill, or even a simple pan.

I have tried this recipe multiple times, and one thing I realized is that the marination process is the real game changer. If you rush it, the flavor just doesn’t go deep inside the chicken. So patience is important here.

This recipe is perfect for weekend dinners, parties, or even as a high-protein meal option.

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Recipe Details of Tandoori Chicken

• Prep Time: PT20M
• Marination Time: PT4H
• Cook Time: PT30M
• Total Time: PT4H50M
• Servings: 4 people
• Cuisine: Indian / Mughlai
• Calories: Approx 320 kcal per serving

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Ingredients of Tandoori Chicken

For Chicken

• 750g chicken (leg or thigh pieces)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt to taste

For Marinade

• 1 cup thick curd (hung curd preferred)
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tbsp mustard oil
• Salt to taste

For Cooking

• Butter or oil for basting
• Chaat masala (optional)

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Preparation Steps of Tandoori Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Wash the chicken properly and make deep cuts on the pieces. This helps the marinade go deep inside and makes the chicken juicy and flavorful.

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Step 2: First Marination

Add lemon juice and salt to the chicken and let it rest for 15–20 minutes. This step helps tenderize the meat.

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Step 3: Second Marination

Mix curd, ginger garlic paste, spices, and mustard oil in a bowl. Coat the chicken evenly with this marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.

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Step 4: Cooking the Chicken

Preheat oven to 200°C. Place the marinated chicken on a tray or rack and cook for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway. You can also cook on a pan or grill.

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Step 5: Final Smoky Touch

For smoky flavor, place a hot charcoal piece in a small bowl inside the pan, add a drop of oil, and cover for 2–3 minutes.

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Step 6: Serve Hot

Brush with butter, sprinkle chaat masala, and serve hot with onion rings and lemon wedges.

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Serving Suggestions of Tandoori Chicken

Serve this spicy tandoori chicken with mint chutney, onion salad, and naan or roti. It also works great as a starter or party snack.

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Expert Tips for Tandoori Chicken

• Always use hung curd for thick marinade
• Do not skip mustard oil for authentic flavor
• Marinate overnight for best taste
• Cook on high heat for slight char

From my experience, the smoky charcoal step makes a big difference… it gives that restaurant-style feel.

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Variations of Tandoori Chicken

• Make it less spicy by reducing chili
• Use boneless chicken for quick cooking
• Air fryer version also works well
• Add food color for restaurant-style look (optional)

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Nutritional Information of Tandoori Chicken

• Calories: 320 kcal
• Protein: 30g
• Carbs: 6g
• Fat: 20g

Buy fresh chicken in Ahmedabad here.

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