Learn how to make a delicious and healthy Tandoori chicken recipe in an air fryer with this easy-to-follow recipe. Get crispy, flavorful chicken.
Tandoori Chicken Recipe in Air Fryer - Delicious and Healthy
Learn how to make a delicious and healthy Tandoori chicken recipe in an air fryer with this easy-to-follow recipe. Get crispy, flavorful chicken without the hassle of deep frying!
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| Tandoori Chicken Recipe |
About Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori chicken is a popular Indian dish made by marinating chicken in a mixture of yogurt and spices, including cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. The marinated chicken is then traditionally cooked in a tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven that is heated with charcoal or wood, which gives the chicken its distinctive charred and smoky flavor. Tandoori chicken is often served with a side of naan bread and chutney and is a staple of Indian cuisine both in India and around the world.
Origin of Tandoori Chicken
The Tandoori chicken recipe is believed to have originated in the Punjab region of India, which is now split between India and Pakistan. The dish was first introduced by the Mughal Empire, which ruled much of the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th century. The Mughal emperors were known for their love of rich, flavorful foods, and they developed many of the iconic dishes that are now associated with Indian cuisine, including biryani and kebabs. Tandoori chicken became popular in the 1940s and 1950s, when a man named Kundan Lal Gujral, who was a refugee from Pakistan, opened a restaurant in Delhi called Moti Mahal. Gujral is credited with perfecting the recipe for tandoori chicken and making it famous throughout India and the world.
Select Chicken for Tandoori Chicken
When selecting chicken for tandoori chicken, it's important to choose high-quality meat that is fresh and has not been previously frozen. Look for chicken that is firm to the touch, with a pinkish hue and no foul odor. Here are some additional tips for selecting the right chicken for tandoori chicken:
Choose chicken with skin on, as the skin helps to keep the meat moist and tender during cooking.
Select bone-in chicken, such as chicken drumsticks or thighs, as they are more flavorful than boneless cuts.
If possible, choose organic or free-range chicken, which tends to be more tender and flavorful than conventionally raised chicken.
If buying chicken from a butcher, ask them to remove any excess fat or skin from the chicken, as this can make the final dish too oily.
By selecting the right chicken for tandoori chicken, you can ensure that your dish is flavorful, tender, and delicious.
Tandoori chicken made in an air fryer
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Marination time: 1 hour or overnight
- Cooking time: 20-25 minutes
- Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, paprika, garam masala, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, and salt. Mix well.
- Add the chicken to the bowl and coat each piece with the yogurt marinade.
- Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching.
- Lightly spray the chicken with non-stick cooking spray.
- Air fry the chicken for 15-20 minutes, or until it is cooked through and the skin is crispy and browned.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy your delicious and healthy Tandoori chicken made in an air fryer!
Some tips that can help you make delicious Tandoori Chicken
Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and results in a more flavorful dish.
Use bone-in chicken pieces with skin on them for the best flavor and texture.
If you don't have tandoori masala, you can make your own by mixing together ground coriander, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and garam masala.
To get the traditional charred and smoky flavor of tandoori chicken, you can grill the chicken over charcoal or wood fire instead of baking it in the oven.
If you want a spicier dish, you can increase the amount of red chili powder or add some chopped green chilies to the marinade.
Serve tandoori chicken with a side of cooling cucumber and mint raita to balance out the spices.
You can also add some lemon wedges to the baking sheet while cooking to infuse the chicken with some additional citrusy flavor.
Rest the chicken for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and prevent the meat from drying out.
I hope these tips help you make the perfect tandoori chicken at home!
Nutritional Value of Tandoori Chicken
The nutritional value of tandoori chicken can vary depending on the ingredients and the size of the serving. Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown for a 4-ounce (113-gram) serving of tandoori chicken made with chicken breast:
Calories: 170
Protein: 26 grams
Fat: 4 grams
Carbohydrates: 4 grams
Fiber: 1 gram
Sodium: 390 milligrams
Tandoori chicken is a good source of protein and contains some vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B6, niacin, phosphorus, and selenium. However, the sodium content can be high, so it is important to balance your intake of tandoori chicken with other low-sodium foods.
Interesting Facts and Stories of Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori chicken was invented by Kundan Lal Gujral, the founder of Moti Mahal restaurant in Delhi, India, in the 1940s. Gujral wanted to use leftover chicken from the tandoor (clay oven) to create a new dish, so he marinated the chicken in spices and yogurt and cooked it in the tandoor.
The bright red color of tandoori chicken comes from the use of red food coloring in the marinade, although some chefs now use natural colorants like beetroot juice instead.
Tandoori chicken is traditionally served with a side of raw onion rings and a wedge of lemon. The onions help to cut through the spices and the lemon adds a fresh citrus flavor.
Tandoori chicken is not just popular in India but is enjoyed all over the world. In fact, it is said to be one of the most popular Indian dishes in the United Kingdom.
Tandoori chicken is often cooked in a tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven that is heated with charcoal or wood fire. The intense heat and smoky flavor of the tandoor give the chicken its distinctive flavor and texture.
Tandoori chicken can be made with different parts of the chicken, including breasts, thighs, and drumsticks. Bone-in chicken pieces with the skin on are preferred, as they stay juicy and tender when cooked in the tandoor.
Tandoori chicken is not just a popular dish, but it has also inspired other food items like tandoori chicken pizza and tandoori chicken burgers.
These are just a few interesting facts and stories about tandoori chicken. This iconic Indian dish has a rich history and continues to be a beloved favorite around the world.
