Chicken Tandoori is a traditional Indian dish that produces fragrant and tender chicken thanks to a marinade of spices and yogurt. Enjoy with a fresh cucumber and tomato salsa to round out the dish. Smarts: This is an easy meal to scale, so double and save some in the freezer. Cooking Methods: This recipe includes instructions for using the grill or oven. Select your preferred method.
Cook rice - Fill a saucepan with water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and then add rice. Bring to a simmer, cover, turn heat down to low and cook until rice has absorbed all the liquid, 15 to 18 minutes. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make spice mix - Combine coriander, cumin, curry powder, ginger, paprika, turmeric, and cayenne. (Optional step) Toast spices: Heat a frying pan over medium heat and warm up / toast spices until fragrant. Remove from heat.(Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make yogurt marinade - Mince the garlic. Mix together spices, garlic, yogurt, and oil. Divide marinade mixture in half. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Marinate chicken - Cut slits into the chicken (to increase surface area for marinade). Cover in half of the marinade, sprinkle on some salt, and then tenderize with a fork. Marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to 1 day. (Can be done up to 1 day ahead)
Cucumbers / Tomatoes / Cilantro (both portions) / Limes - (If prepping right before cooking, get grill heating before continuing.) Prep as directed. Combine cucumbers, tomatoes, and cilantro (portion for salsa) in one container. Store cilantro (portion for chicken) and limes separately.
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Preheat grill to 450F / 232C degrees. Clean grates and brush with some oil.
Brush off excess marinade from chicken (you want to leave some on but not too much) and place chicken onto grill grates. Grill for ~2 minutes on each side with the cover closed. Turn down heat to medium, close cover and cook for for another 6 to 12 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165F / 74C.
Make salsa by combining tomatoes, cucumber, cilantro (portion for salsa), and lime juice. Season to taste with salt.
Whisk water, tomato paste, and honey into remainder of marinade. Heat up over low heat until sauce is warmed up.
If rice was made ahead of time, warm it in the microwave.
Enjoy chicken with sauce, lime wedges, and cilantro leaves, plus basmati rice and salsa on the side.
Prep
Cook rice - Fill a saucepan with water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and then add rice. Bring to a simmer, cover, turn heat down to low and cook until rice has absorbed all the liquid, 15 to 18 minutes. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make spice mix - Combine coriander, cumin, curry powder, ginger, paprika, turmeric, and cayenne. (Optional step) Toast spices: Heat a frying pan over medium heat and warm up / toast spices until fragrant. Remove from heat.(Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make yogurt marinade - Mince the garlic. Mix together spices, garlic, yogurt, and oil. Divide marinade mixture in half. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Marinate chicken - Cut slits into the chicken (to increase surface area for marinade). Cover in half of the marinade, sprinkle on some salt, and then tenderize with a fork. Marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to 1 day. (Can be done up to 1 day ahead)
Cucumbers / Tomatoes / Cilantro (both portions) / Limes - (If prepping right before cooking, get oven heating before continuing.) Prep as directed. Combine cucumbers, tomatoes, and cilantro (portion for salsa) in one container. Store cilantro (portion for chicken) and limes separately.
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Turn on broiler and situate top oven rack so that it’s about 5” to 6” (13 to 15 cm) from the heat source. Line a baking sheet with foil. Brush off excess marinade from chicken (you want to leave some on but not too much) and arrange chicken on the sheet pan. Broil for 5 to 8 minutes on each side, until chicken is cooked through (165F / 74C).
Make salsa by combining tomatoes, cucumber, cilantro (portion for salsa), and lime juice. Season to taste with salt.
Whisk water, tomato paste, and honey into remainder of marinade. Heat up over low heat until sauce is warmed up.
If rice was made ahead of time, warm it in the microwave.
Enjoy chicken with sauce, lime wedges, and cilantro leaves, plus basmati rice and salsa on the side.