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Chef John's Tandoori Chicken

Chef John's Tandoori Chicken features juicy boneless thighs soaked in a tangy yogurt and tandoori masala marinade, then grilled until lightly charred with smoky edges. The result is tender, well-seasoned chicken with bright citrus notes and a warm spice profile that suits weeknight dinners or casual cookouts. Serve hot off the grill with lime and your favorite sides.

  • Prep5 mins
  • Cook15 mins
  • Serves6
  • DifficultyEasy
Chef John's Tandoori Chicken
  1. 1

    Whisk the lime juice, yogurt, tandoori powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

  2. 2

    Pour the mixture into a resealable plastic bag.

  3. 3

    Add the chicken, coat it with the marinade, squeeze out the excess air, and seal the bag.

  4. 4

    Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

  5. 5

    Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.

  6. 6

    Remove the chicken from the bag and place it on a plate or a baking sheet lined with paper towels.

  7. 7

    Pat the chicken pieces dry with additional paper towels.

  8. 8

    Grill the chicken on the preheated grill with the lid open for 2 minutes.

  9. 9

    Close the lid and continue grilling the chicken for 6 minutes.

  10. 10

    Turn the chicken, close the lid, and grill until well browned and the meat is no longer pink in the center, about 6 minutes.

  11. 11

    An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh should register 180 degrees F (82 degrees C).

About This Recipe

Chef John's Tandoori Chicken is an Indian dinner recipe made with 5 ingredients. It takes about 20 mins, serves 6, and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Boneless Chicken Thigh, Lime, Plain Yogurt, and Salt & Pepper. Each serving provides about 226.22 kcal, and is a good source of protein.

Recipe Questions

What is Chef John's Tandoori Chicken?
It is an Indian recipe made with 5 ingredients, usually served for dinner or lunch.
What is Chef John's Tandoori Chicken made of?
The main ingredients are Boneless Chicken Thigh, Lime, Plain Yogurt, Salt & Pepper, Tandoori Masala Seasoning Mix. The full list of 5 is above.
What goes well with Chef John's Tandoori Chicken?
Explore these Indian side-dish recipes.
How long does it take to make Chef John's Tandoori Chicken?
About 20 mins in total: 5 mins to prepare and 15 mins to cook.
How many calories are in one serving?
One serving provides about 226.22 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
Is Chef John's Tandoori Chicken easy to make?
This recipe is rated easy, with 5 ingredients and 11 steps.

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