Tandoori Chicken Marinade
Popular Indian food Tandoori Chicken is made with chicken, yoghurt, herbs, and spices. While yogurt is a traditional ingredient in the marinade, we’re about to explore a tantalizing recipe that excludes it.
Whether you’re planning a barbecue, shopping at Tesco, craving an oven-baked delight, or seeking the convenience of a ready-made paste, this recipe is your ultimate guide. Let’s dive into the world of flavors without the yogurt element.
The Basics of Tandoori Chicken
Before we delve into the recipe, let’s revisit the basics. Tandoori chicken is a popular Indian dish known for its vibrant red color and bold, smoky taste.
Traditionally, it’s made by marinating chicken pieces in a mixture of yogurt and spices, then cooking them in a tandoor, a clay oven. Our variation will maintain the authenticity of flavors but offers a twist for those looking to skip the yogurt.
Getting Started: The Essence of Tandoori Chicken:
Tandoori Chicken, originating from the Indian subcontinent, is renowned for its vibrant colors and aromatic spices. The secret lies in the marinade, where a symphony of spices infuses the chicken with a rich and smoky flavor.
Tandoori Chicken Marinade Ingredients: Creating the Perfect Harmony:
Before diving into the recipe, let’s take a look at the star players in our Tandoori Chicken marinade:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chicken pieces | 2 lbs (approx. 1 kg) |
| Yogurt (plain) | 1 cup |
| Ginger-Garlic paste | 2 tablespoons |
| Tandoori Masala | 3 tablespoons |
| Red Chili Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Turmeric Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Cumin Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Coriander Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Garam Masala | 1 teaspoon |
| Lemon Juice | 2 tablespoons |
| Salt | To taste |
| Cooking Oil | 2 tablespoons |
Step-by-Step Guide: Bringing the Recipe to Life:
- Preparation of Chicken:
- Wash the chicken pieces thoroughly and make small slits to allow the marinade to penetrate.
- Marinade Preparation:
- In a mixing bowl, combine plain yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, Tandoori Masala, red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, lemon juice, and salt.
- Mix the ingredients well to form a smooth paste.
- Marinating the Chicken:
- Coat the chicken pieces evenly with the marinade, ensuring each piece is well covered.
- For optimal flavor, let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours or, ideally, overnight in the refrigerator.
- Cooking Process:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place a wire rack on a baking tray and arrange the marinated chicken pieces on it.
- Drizzle cooking oil over the chicken for a golden finish.
- Baking:
- Bake the chicken for 25-30 minutes or until it is cooked through, with occasional basting for added moisture.
- Grilling Option:
- For an authentic touch, you can also grill the marinated chicken on a barbecue for that unmistakable smoky flavor.
- Serve Hot:
- Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and lemon wedges before serving.
Ingredients for the No-Yogurt Tandoori Chicken Marinade
Let’s gather the essentials for this yogurt-free yet flavorful tandoori chicken marinade:
- Chicken:
- Opt for skin-on, bone-in chicken pieces for maximum juiciness and flavor absorption.
- Tandoori Masala:
- Choose a high-quality tandoori masala spice blend, available at your local Tesco or any well-stocked grocery store.
- Lemon Juice:
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice will add a zesty kick and help tenderize the chicken.
- Garlic and Ginger:
- Freshly minced garlic and ginger will infuse the marinade with aromatic intensity.
- Paprika:
- For that rich red color and a mild, smoky flavor.
- Coriander Powder:
- Ground coriander contributes a citrusy and slightly sweet note.
- Cumin Powder:
- Cumin adds warmth and depth to the marinade.
- Kashmiri Red Chili Powder:
- This variety is known for its vibrant color and moderate heat.
- Salt:
- To enhance all the flavors and balance the spices.
- Oil:
- Use a neutral oil like vegetable or canola to bind the marinade.
Why This Recipe? The Magic Behind the Ingredients:
- Yogurt: Tenderizes the chicken while imparting a creamy texture.
- Tandoori Masala: A blend of spices including coriander, cumin, and cardamom, providing the distinctive Tandoori flavor.
- Ginger-Garlic Paste: Adds a depth of savory taste and enhances the overall aroma.
- Spices (Red Chili, Turmeric, Cumin, Coriander, Garam Masala): The backbone of the marinade, creating a harmonious balance of heat and warmth.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a citrusy zing, elevating the freshness of the dish.
Choose Your Cooking Method
Option 1: Barbecue (BBQ)
- Preheat your barbecue grill to medium-high heat. Grill the marinated chicken pieces until they achieve a beautiful char and are cooked through.
Option 2: Oven
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Place the marinated chicken on a baking sheet and bake until fully cooked, with occasional basting for added moisture.
Option 3: Ready-Made Paste
- If time is of the essence, consider using a pre-made tandoori paste available at Tesco or your local grocery store. Simply coat the chicken in the paste and follow the cooking instructions on the packaging.
Garnish and Serve
- Once cooked, garnish the tandoori chicken with fresh coriander or mint leaves. Serve it hot with naan, rice, or your favorite side dishes.
Exploring Variations – Red Tandoori Chicken
The use of red spices like Kashmiri red chili powder and paprika gives this tandoori chicken its distinctive red hue. These spices not only contribute to the color but also add a depth of flavor without overwhelming heat. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on your spice tolerance.
Tesco Convenience – Finding Ingredients Easily
For those shopping at Tesco, rest assured that the required spices and ingredients are readily available. Visit the spice aisle for tandoori masala, paprika, coriander powder, cumin powder, and Kashmiri red chili powder. Fresh chicken can be sourced from the meat section, while lemons, garlic, and ginger can be found in the produce section.
Tips for a Perfect Tandoori Chicken:
- For a more authentic flavor, use tandoori masala instead of garam masala. Tandoori masala is a blend of spices that includes cumin, coriander, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper.
- If you don’t have time to marinate the chicken for several hours, you can marinate it for as little as 30 minutes. However, the longer the chicken marinates, the more flavorful it will be.
- To make the chicken even more tender, you can pound it with a meat mallet before marinating it.
- Serve your tandoori chicken with naan bread, basmati rice, and a side of raita.
- Use Greek yogurt for a thicker marinade.
- Adjust the spice levels according to your preference.
- Let the chicken marinate for an extended period for maximum flavor infusion.
- Experiment with charcoal grilling for an authentic touch.
Extra Tips
- For a more flavorful marinade, you can add a pinch of saffron.
- If you do not have a tandoor oven, you can cook the chicken on a grill or in a hot oven.
- To make the chicken even more tender, you can marinate it for longer.
- Serve tandoori chicken with your favorite chutney or raita.
Nutritional Information
One serving of tandoori chicken (170g) contains approximately:
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 13g
- Protein: 34g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Sodium: 440mg
