Greetings, fellow food enthusiasts! Anne Carter from Beyond The Bayou Blog, back again to bring you some culinary magic. Today’s special recipe is a Keto Tandoori Chicken, perfect for those looking to enjoy rich, spicy flavors while staying on a low-carb diet.
Discover the vibrant flavors of India with this Easy Tandoori Chicken recipe. Perfect for both novice cooks and seasoned chefs, this dish transforms simple chicken into a culinary masterpiece with minimal effort. The secret lies in a blend of yogurt and aromatic spices that infuse the meat with rich, tangy flavors and a beautiful, fiery hue.
Whether you’re planning a casual family dinner or a festive gathering, this recipe promises to deliver a taste sensation that’s sure to impress. Best of all, it’s straightforward enough for any weeknight meal yet impressive enough to stand out at your next barbecue.
Let’s embark on a delicious journey to the heart of Indian cuisine with this easy-to-follow recipe.
What Is Tandoori?
Well, it’s a cool way of cooking stuff that hails from India. They use this special oven called a tandoor, which is basically like a super-hot, round oven made of clay. Now, here’s the fun part: they marinate meats or seafood in yogurt or coconut milk mixed with spices that smell amazing before popping them into the tandoor to cook.
But hey, not all of us have a tandoor sitting in our kitchens, right? No worries! You can still make tandoori-inspired dishes right at home using your regular oven, air fryer, or even your good ol’ backyard grill. So, don’t sweat it if you’re lacking fancy equipment – you can still enjoy those tasty flavors!
What’s In Tandoori Spice Blend?
Well, it’s like a magical mix of flavors that varies a bit depending on who’s making it. But generally, you’ll find stuff like garam masala, which is this blend of coriander, cumin, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg – basically a flavor party! Then there’s garlic, ginger, turmeric, onion, mace, cayenne pepper for a bit of kick, and Kashmiri chili powder for some extra oomph. Now, here’s the cool part: even though it’s got all these spices, it’s not usually crazy spicy. So, even kids and folks who can’t handle the heat can still enjoy it because it’s all about the awesome flavors!
Why Is Tandoori Chicken Red?
Well, it’s all about those Kashmiri red chilies! They’re not super spicy, but they give that vibrant red color that makes tandoori chicken look so inviting. But here’s the thing: some restaurants cheat a bit and use red food coloring to get that traditional look. Sneaky, huh?
Now, if you’re whipping up tandoori chicken at home and it’s not turning out as red as you hoped, don’t sweat it! It’s mainly about the taste, not just the color. But if you’re really keen on that fiery red hue, you can toss in some smoked paprika or achiote into the marinade for that extra pop of color. So, whether it’s fiery red or more orangey, your homemade tandoori chicken will still taste delicious!
Overview: How To Make Tandoori Chicken?
Get ready to indulge in the flavors of India with this Easy Tandoori Chicken recipe by Julia Frey of Vikalinka. You don’t need to head to your local Indian restaurant to savor this iconic dish – now you can whip it up right in your own kitchen, and guess what? We’re doing it in the air fryer for a quick and hassle-free experience!
Here’s the lowdown: start with 3 lbs of chicken legs, your ticket to juicy, flavorful tandoori goodness. We’ll be using a special mix of tandoori masala spice, yogurt, and a pinch of salt to give our chicken that authentic Indian kick. Let the magic happen by marinating your chicken for at least 2 hours, or if you’re patient enough, overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
Once your chicken is all marinated and ready to roll, it’s air fryer time! Preheat that bad boy to 190°C/360°F, give the basket a quick spray with cooking oil, then lay down your chicken legs, cut side down. Cook for 10 minutes, flip ’em over, and give them another 5-10 minutes depending on the size, until they reach an internal temp of 165°F/74°C. And voila! You’ve got yourself some perfectly cooked tandoori chicken ready to be devoured.
So, why wait? Fire up that air fryer and get ready to treat your taste buds to a culinary adventure with this Easy Tandoori Chicken recipe!
Keto Tandoori Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Spoons
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken legs
- 6 tbsp tandoori masala spice mix
- 500 ml/2 cups plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Cut two slits into each chicken leg for better marinade penetration.
- Mix tandoori masala spice, salt, and yogurt to create the marinade.
- Cover the chicken with the marinade and let it sit for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the air fryer to 190°C/360°F and spray the basket with cooking spray.
- Place the chicken legs in the basket, cut side down, and cook for 10 minutes.
- Flip the chicken legs and air fry for another 5-10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C. Keep warm and repeat with remaining chicken.
Nutrition
Tips You Should Try!
- Chicken Choices: Traditionally, you’d use whole chicken legs, but feel free to mix it up with thighs, drumsticks, or even boneless, skinless breasts. Personally, I find bone-in chicken legs give the juiciest, most succulent results.
- Marinating Magic: The secret to flavor is in the marinade. Give your chicken at least a couple of hours to marinate, or better yet, let it soak up those tasty spices overnight for maximum yumminess.
- Yogurt Matters: Keep it simple with a mix of plain yogurt and tandoori masala spice. Look for thick yogurt like Greek or Sky– full fat or fat-free, as long as it’s nice and thick.
- Slit and Slide: Before you dunk your chicken in the marinade, make some shallow cuts in it. This helps the marinade get all up in there, making your chicken extra flavorful and reducing cook time.
- Skin Situation: To skin or not to skin? That’s up to you! I switch it up depending on my mood and how much time I have.
- Air Fryer Alert: Don’t cover the metal plate at the bottom of your air fryer with parchment paper or foil for an easy cleanup. It might seem like a shortcut, but it’ll leave your chicken soggy instead of crispy by trapping the juices.
- Serving Savvy: For a mouthwatering meal, serve your tandoori chicken with basmati rice, a dollop of plain yogurt, and some mango chutney on the side. Trust me, it’s a flavor explosion!
What To Serve With Tandoori Chicken?
Guide To Store Leftovers
- To store: Place leftovers in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to five days.
- To freeze: Once the chicken is cooked and cooled, put it in a shallow container and freeze for up to two months.
- Reheating: Microwave portions of the chicken for 40-50 seconds or reheat in a preheated oven until hot.
Is Tandoori Chicken Healthy?
Tandoori chicken is one of the healthiest chicken recipes to make. As the chicken is marinated in yogurt and then baked and not fried, it doesn’t contain a high amount of saturated fats. You can use chicken breasts to make tandoori chicken lower in fat and calories and higher in protein.
Wondering How To Make Tandoori Chicken Without Having A Tandoor?
Any kind of heat source is good enough to grill/roast the chicken – an oven, stovetop, air fryer or direct fire. We are going to roast the chicken to perfection in one of these ways.
How Do We Infuse The Smoky Aroma Into The Chicken?
It is simpler than you think, you can infuse the smoky flavor either by smoking the grilled chicken with a red hot wood coal or cook it over direct fire for a few minutes towards the end.
What Does Tandoori Chicken Taste Like?
Tandoori chicken is juicy thanks to the yogurt marinade and earthy due to the Indian spices, ginger, and garlic. Cooked over high heat, authentic tandoori chicken is also smoky. This is why I like to add smoked paprika to the marinade to make up for the smokiness that the traditional cooking method provides.Â