Air-Fried Tandoori Chicken: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Tandoori chicken is a popular Indian dish that involves marinating chicken in a yoghurt-based sauce with spices such as ginger, garlic, turmeric, and chilli powder. The chicken is then traditionally cooked in a clay oven, but this recipe will show you how to make it in an air fryer.

Marinate the chicken

Marinating the chicken is a crucial step in making Tandoori Chicken in an air fryer. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Firstly, prepare the chicken by cleaning and patting it dry with a paper towel. Make small gashes or slashes on the thickest parts of the chicken to allow the marinade to penetrate and infuse more deeply. This technique will ensure that the flavours really soak into the chicken.

Next, prepare the marinade. In a bowl, combine plain yoghurt (preferably full-fat) with ginger, garlic, and a blend of spices. The spices can include red chilli powder or cayenne pepper, turmeric, Garam Masala, dried fenugreek leaves, cumin powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. You can also add lemon or lime juice for a citrusy kick. Mix the ingredients together to form a smooth paste-like marinade.

Now, it's time to coat the chicken with the marinade. Place the chicken in the bowl with the marinade, turning it over to ensure it is fully covered. You can use your hands or a brush to really get the marinade into the gashes and all over the surface of the chicken.

Once the chicken is fully coated, it's important to let it marinate for long enough. Aim for at least 30 minutes, but for the best results, leave it for 4 to 6 hours, or even overnight, in the refrigerator. The longer it sits, the more time the flavours have to develop and penetrate the meat.

Finally, when you're ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to around 380-400°F (about 190-200°C). Lightly grease the air fryer basket with oil and place the chicken inside, making sure the pieces are spaced apart. Discard any leftover marinade. Air fry for around 15-20 minutes, turning the chicken over halfway through. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Prepare the air fryer

• Preheat the air fryer to 350–400°F.
• Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking oil or spray with oil.
• Place the marinated chicken in the basket, ensuring they are spaced slightly apart.
• Air fry for 15–20 minutes, turning the chicken over halfway through.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a digital thermometer. The safe cooking temperature for chicken is 165°F.

Cook the chicken

Now that you have your chicken marinated and your air fryer ready to go, it's time to cook your delicious tandoori chicken!

Cooking the Chicken

• Preheat your air fryer to 350–400°F.
• Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking oil or spray it with oil.
• Place the marinated chicken in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Air fry the chicken for 15–20 minutes at 350–400°F. For some air fryers, you may need to cook for longer.
• Halfway through the cooking time, shake the basket or turn the chicken over. You can also lightly spray the chicken with oil at this point.
• Once the cooking cycle is complete, check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should be at least 165°F. You can cook it for a little longer if needed or to get some charred marks.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Your tandoori chicken is now ready to be served! Enjoy the juicy and flavorful dish with your favorite sides.

Rest the chicken

Resting the chicken is an important step in the cooking process. It allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring that the chicken is moist and tender. Here are some detailed instructions on resting the chicken for Tandoori Chicken in an Air Fryer:

After air frying, remove the chicken from the air fryer and transfer it to a clean plate or cutting board.

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should have reached a minimum safe temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to settle, ensuring the chicken stays juicy and tender.

If you are serving the chicken with any sauces or dips, prepare them while the chicken is resting so that everything is ready to serve together.

For an authentic Indian experience, serve the Tandoori Chicken with sides such as pilau rice, naan bread, cucumber salad, onion salad, tomato salad, or yogurt.

If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes at 350°F (180°C) to regain that crispy texture.

Serve with sides

There are many different sides that you can serve with your air fryer tandoori chicken. Here are some ideas:

• Rice
• Creamy Cucumber Radish Salad
• Air Fryer Asparagus
• Air-fried Peppers and Onions
• Quick Pickled Onions
• Vegetable Biryani
• Mango Salad
• Fiesta Quinoa Salad
• Indian Cucumber Salad
• Laccha Pyaaz (Indian spiced onion rings)
• Lemon wedges
• Pilau rice
• Naan bread
• Cucumber, onion and tomato salad
• Yogurt
• Green chutney dip
• Coriander mint chutney
• Cucumber mint chutney

Frequently asked questions