Air-Fryer Tandoori: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Tandoori chicken is a traditional Indian dish that is typically cooked in a cylindrical clay oven called a tandoor. However, you can easily make it at home in an air fryer. The key to tender tandoori chicken is to marinate the chicken in yogurt, which contains lactic acid, breaking down meat proteins and making the chicken incredibly tender. The yogurt also helps the spices stick to the chicken, creating a burst of flavour in every bite.

Marinating the chicken

Firstly, pat the chicken dry with paper towels. If you are using chicken legs or drumsticks, you can remove the skin by pulling it down from the thickest part of the chicken to the narrow end. This will help the marinade coat the chicken more effectively. For chicken thighs, simply trim off any excess fat.

Next, make some slits in the chicken to help the marinade penetrate the meat. For drumsticks, make 3-4 slits across the thick part of each drumstick. For chicken thighs, make 1/2-inch deep cuts in the fleshy part of the chicken. If you are using chicken breasts, you can cut them into smaller pieces before marinating.

Now, it's time to make the marinade. In a large mixing bowl, combine plain yoghurt (preferably full-fat or Greek yoghurt) with spices such as ginger, garlic, red chilli powder or cayenne pepper, turmeric, garam masala, smoked paprika or Kashmiri chilli powder, and salt. You can also add lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh or dried fenugreek leaves to enhance the flavour. Mix everything together until you have a thick, smooth paste.

Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and coat them evenly. You can use your hands to rub the marinade into the slits and crevices of the chicken. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 24 hours for the best results. The longer you leave it, the more tender and flavourful the chicken will be.

Once the chicken has finished marinating, remove it from the refrigerator and let it thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes before cooking.

Preparing the air fryer

Before you start preparing the chicken, you should get your air fryer ready. If you are using an air fryer basket, lightly grease it with cooking oil. If you are using a rack, place it inside the air fryer and preheat the air fryer to 350°F or 380°F for 5-to-10 minutes. You want to use a rack whenever possible to raise the chicken closer to the heating element, giving the chicken a better char.

If you are using an air fryer that holds about 1 pound of chicken at a time, you will need to cook the chicken in batches. If you are cooking for a larger group, you may want to consider using an air fryer with a larger capacity.

You can also use an air fryer with a basket, but be aware that the chicken may stick to the basket and tear when you try to flip it. If the chicken is sticking, it is not ready to be flipped. Give it another minute or two to cook and then try again.

If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook tandoori chicken in a skillet, on an indoor or outdoor grill, in the oven, or even a clay oven if you have one!

Cooking the chicken

The cooking time for your tandoori chicken will depend on the cut of chicken you use. Chicken legs and wings will take longer to cook than chicken breasts, for example.

If you're using an air fryer, you'll want to preheat it to around 350-400°F. Lightly grease the basket with cooking oil and place the marinated chicken inside. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Check the internal temperature of the chicken when the cooking cycle is complete. For safe consumption, chicken should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F. You can add an extra minute or two to the cooking time to get some charred marks, but be careful not to overcook the chicken.

If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook the tandoori chicken in an oven, on a grill, or a barbecue. Here are the instructions for each method:

• Oven: Preheat the oven to 500°F and place the chicken on a roasting rack. Bake for 6-7 minutes, then flip the chicken and bake for another 6-7 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Grill: Preheat the grill on high. Grill the chicken for 4-6 minutes, then flip and grill for another 2-4 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Barbecue: Fire up your barbecue and place the chicken directly on the rack. Barbecue for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Serving suggestions

Tandoori chicken is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways, including as an appetizer, a main course, or as part of a larger meal. Here are some serving suggestions for your delicious air-fried tandoori chicken:

As an Appetizer

• Serve the tandoori chicken alone, allowing the flavours of the marinade to shine.
• Accompany the chicken with a dip like green chutney, tzatziki, or raita.

As a Main Course

• Serve the tandoori chicken with naan, dal, and a cold salad for a well-rounded meal.
• Pair the chicken with rice, such as basmati rice or coriander mint green chutney, and naan bread for a traditional Indian meal.
• For a low-carb option, wrap the tandoori chicken in lettuce leaves instead of naan or rice.
• Create a hearty meal by serving the chicken with Quick Pickled Onions and Vegetable Biryani, or pair it with a sweet and tangy mango salad or fiesta quinoa salad.

As Part of a Larger Meal

• Make extra tandoori chicken and add it to your leftover butter chicken sauce.
• Use the tandoori chicken as a pizza topping, in tacos, or quesadillas.
• Include the chicken in a chicken salad, wraps, or sandwiches.

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

Storage and reheating instructions

Leftover tandoori chicken can be used in chicken salad, in wraps, or simply reheated for dinner. Store the chicken in an airtight container or sealable bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It is important to let the chicken cool down before freezing. To prevent ice crystals from forming, eliminate as much air as possible from the container or bag. A vacuum sealer is ideal for this purpose.

To reheat, wrap the chicken in aluminium foil and place in the oven at 325°F/165°C for about 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C. You can also reheat in the air fryer at 300°F/150°C, but be careful not to dry out the chicken. Another option is to use a sous vide machine to reheat from frozen. Set the temperature to 165°F/74°C and leave the chicken in the heated water for about 90 minutes.

Frequently asked questions