Air-Fried Chicken Tikka: A Quick, Easy Delight

how to make chicken tikka in air fryer

Chicken tikka is a popular dish in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is traditionally cooked in a tandoor oven, but can be adapted for the air fryer to achieve the same charred effect with less effort and time. The chicken is marinated in yoghurt and spices,sectioned into small pieces and cooked at a high heat. This method of cooking chicken tikka is quicker, healthier and cheaper than ordering a takeaway.

Characteristics Values
Prep Time 10-20 minutes
Cook Time 12-20 minutes
Total Time 30-55 minutes
Chicken Chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Marinade Greek yoghurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, mustard oil, salt, tandoori masala, chilli powder, coriander, garam masala, red food colouring, lime juice, garlic, coriander powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper
Other Ingredients Bell peppers, onions, mint chutney, mayonnaise, tortillas, lettuce, avocado or olive oil cooking spray, bamboo skewers, naan bread, cucumber raita, cucumber tomato salad, mango chutney, flatbreads
Air Fryer Temperature 350-400°F
Air Fryer Cook Time 5-20 minutes

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Marinating the chicken

Preparing the Chicken

Start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces or chunks. You can use either chicken breasts or thighs, depending on your preference. If you're using chicken breasts, cut them into even-sized chunks to ensure uniform cooking. Removing the skin from the chicken is also recommended.

The Marinade

The marinade for chicken tikka typically includes a combination of yogurt, spices, and flavour enhancers. Here's a list of common ingredients and their proportions to guide you in preparing the marinade:

  • Greek yogurt or plain yogurt: Use Greek yogurt for a thicker consistency, which helps achieve a desirable char on the chicken.
  • Spices: Garam masala, tandoori masala, chilli powder or cayenne pepper, ground coriander, red chilli powder, and Kashmiri red pepper (for colour) are commonly used. Adjust the spice levels to your preference.
  • Flavour enhancers: Lemon or lime juice, ginger-garlic paste, garlic, salt, black pepper, and caster sugar can be added to enhance the flavour.

Combining the Chicken and Marinade

In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, spices, and flavour enhancers. Whisk or mix well until everything is combined and you have a smooth marinade. Then, add the cubed chicken to the marinade. Use your hands or tongs to massage the marinade into the chicken, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.

Marinating Time

Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to several hours. The longer it sits in the marinade, the more intense the flavours will be. For the best results, aim for a minimum of 2 hours or up to 24 hours. If you're short on time, even a 30-minute marination will work.

Optional Steps

  • Marinate twice: If you have the time, you can prepare a second marinade with lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, and salt. Let the chicken sit in this marinade for 25-30 minutes before draining it and adding the second, yogurt-based marinade.
  • Add mustard oil: For a more authentic, restaurant-style flavour, add a touch of mustard oil to the marinade. It adds a slightly spicy and peppery taste.
  • Cut the chicken evenly: To ensure even cooking, cut the chicken pieces to a similar size. This prevents some pieces from drying out while others remain undercooked.

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Preparing the air fryer

Firstly, you will need to decide whether to use a liner in your air fryer. Using a liner will make cleaning up much easier, but it may increase the cooking time. If you do opt for a liner, it is recommended to use a silicone liner. If you are cooking the chicken tikka on skewers, you will need to ensure that they fit inside your air fryer with the liner in place.

Next, you will need to decide whether to preheat your air fryer. Some models require preheating, while others do not. If your air fryer does require preheating, you should do so now. If your air fryer does not require preheating, you may want to consider preheating it anyway, as this can improve the cooking process and help to achieve the desired char on your chicken tikka. Preheat your air fryer to around 350-390°F (180-200°C).

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the chicken tikka by placing it on skewers, if you have not done so already. If you are using wooden skewers, ensure that they have been soaked in water first to prevent them from burning. Place the skewers in the air fryer basket, ensuring that there is space between each skewer for the air to circulate. If your air fryer is not large enough to fit all of the skewers in a single layer, you will need to cook the chicken tikka in batches.

If you are not using skewers, simply place the marinated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket, ensuring that they are in a single layer and that there is space for the air to circulate. Again, if your air fryer is not large enough to fit all of the chicken in a single layer, you will need to cook it in batches.

At this point, you can also add any vegetables that you are cooking alongside the chicken tikka. Bell peppers and onions are popular choices, but you can also add other quick-cooking vegetables like courgette, aubergine, and mushrooms.

Once the air fryer is preheated, it is time to start cooking. Set the temperature to 350-390°F (180-200°C) and cook for around 10-15 minutes, depending on your air fryer model and the size of your chicken pieces. If you are cooking on skewers, you may need to cook for a little longer, up to 20 minutes. Remember to rotate or flip the chicken tikka halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

To check if the chicken tikka is done, you can use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F (75°C). Alternatively, you can cut into one of the larger pieces of chicken to check that it is no longer pink. If the chicken is not yet cooked through, continue cooking in 2-3 minute intervals until done.

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Cooking the chicken

Now for the fun part: cooking the chicken!

Marinating the Chicken

First, you'll want to prepare your marinade. In a large bowl, combine plain Greek yoghurt, lime or lemon juice, and spices such as garam masala, chilli powder, coriander, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. You can also add ginger-garlic paste or grated beet for extra flavour. Whisk the ingredients until they form a smooth mixture.

Next, cut your chicken breasts or thighs into bite-sized chunks and add them to the bowl. Stir the mixture until the chicken is evenly coated. Cover the bowl and leave the chicken to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours for maximum flavour.

Threading the Chicken (Optional)

If you want to serve your chicken tikka on skewers, you'll need to prepare your skewers while the chicken is marinating. Use wooden or metal skewers, and if you're using wooden ones, remember to soak them in water first so they don't burn in the air fryer. Once the chicken is done marinating, thread the chunks onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece.

Preheat your air fryer to 350-390°F (177-199°C). If your air fryer doesn't require preheating, simply set it to this temperature. Spray or brush the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking, or use parchment paper.

Place the chicken pieces in the basket in a single layer, leaving space for the air to circulate. If you're using skewers, you'll likely need to cook them in batches. If you're not using skewers, you can add some chopped vegetables to the basket, such as bell peppers and onions.

Cook the chicken for 5 minutes, then open the basket and rotate or flip the pieces. For skewers, air fry for another 5 minutes. For non-skewered chicken, air fry for another 2-3 minutes. Check that the chicken is cooked through by using an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C).

Your chicken tikka is now ready to be devoured! Enjoy it as a kebab or wrap it in a tortilla with veggies and sauce for a tasty handheld treat.

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Serving suggestions

Chicken tikka is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions for air fryer chicken tikka:

As a Kebab or Skewer

The traditional way to serve chicken tikka is on a skewer or kebab. You can serve it as an appetizer or a main course. If you wish, you can add vegetables such as bell peppers and onions to the skewers. It is best served with Indian naan bread, a squeeze of lime or lemon, and a garnish of red onions.

In a Wrap or Sandwich

Chicken tikka is also delicious in a wrap or sandwich. You can add vegetables, such as lettuce, onions, and bell peppers, and a sauce such as mayonnaise, yoghurt chutney, or mint chutney. For the wrap, you can use tortillas, naan, or paratha.

With Rice or Bread

Chicken tikka can be served with rice, such as basmati rice, or bread, such as naan, chapattis, or flatbreads. It is a great addition to a curry, such as chicken tikka masala, or served with a side of coriander rice, cucumber raita, or a cucumber and tomato salad.

As a Salad

Chicken tikka is a great protein to add to a salad. It can be served cold on a bed of lettuce with vegetables and a dressing.

As a Starter or Appetizer

Chicken tikka is perfect as a starter or appetizer, especially for an Indian-themed dinner party. It can be served with dips such as coriander chutney, raita, or mango chutney.

With Sauces

Chicken tikka is often served with a variety of sauces, including coriander chutney, raita, and mango chutney. These sauces add a cooling element to the dish and enhance the flavours.

As Part of Another Dish

Chicken tikka is a versatile dish that can be used as a base for other Indian dishes. For example, it can be added to traditional butter chicken recipes or chicken tikka masala by cooking it in a tomato-based curry sauce.

With Drinks

Chicken tikka is a great dish to serve at get-togethers or game days. It can be served with drinks as an appetizer or a snack.

Other Suggestions

  • Chicken tikka can be served with homemade or store-bought naan, kachumber salad, and yogurt mint chutney.
  • It can be served as chicken tikka wraps with homemade chaat masala fries.
  • It can be served with other Indian meat appetizers, such as chicken seekh kebabs, or with milder Afghani malai chicken tikka.

Remember, chicken tikka is a versatile dish, so feel free to get creative with your serving suggestions!

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Storing and reheating

Storing

Firstly, you can store your raw chicken in the marinade for 1-2 days in the fridge. This will allow the chicken to absorb even more flavour and save you time when you are ready to cook.

Once cooked, your chicken tikka can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It is best to consume the chicken within this time, as it will stay fresh and retain its flavour and texture.

If you wish to freeze your chicken tikka, it is recommended to do so after cooking and cooling. Freezing the marinated chicken before cooking is not advisable, as the yoghurt in the marinade may not freeze well and can affect the final taste and texture. Frozen cooked chicken tikka can be stored for up to 6 months and is a great option for meal prep.

Reheating

When reheating your chicken tikka, it is best to use the air fryer if possible, as this will help retain the crispy texture. Reheat at 350°F for 2-5 minutes, depending on the quantity, until heated through.

Alternatively, you can reheat in the oven or a frying pan. If using the oven, wrap the chicken in aluminium foil to prevent it from drying out and becoming overly charred. Reheat until warmed through, which should take around 5-10 minutes, depending on the quantity.

It is important to ensure that your chicken tikka is thoroughly heated before consuming, especially if it has been frozen. The internal temperature should reach 165°F to ensure it is safe to eat.

Enjoy your chicken tikka!

Frequently asked questions

It takes between 12 to 20 minutes to cook chicken tikka in an air fryer. The time may vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces and the model of the air fryer.

You will need chicken (breast or thighs), yogurt, spices (such as garam masala, tandoori masala, chilli powder, or ginger-garlic paste), and lemon juice or lime juice. You can also add vegetables like bell peppers and onions.

First, prepare a marinade by mixing yogurt, spices, and lemon/lime juice. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and coat them with the marinade. Leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Then, place the marinated chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, and cook at a temperature between 350-400°F for 10-20 minutes, turning halfway through.

Yes, you can freeze cooked chicken tikka. It can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 6 months. To reheat, cook it in the air fryer at 380°F for 4-5 minutes until heated through.

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