Tandoori Chicken is one of the most renowned recipes in India. It is well known for its loud and smoky flavour. Traditionally, this is a recipe of marinating chicken pieces in yogurt and spices. Expect the best version of your Tandoori chicken recipe if you're cooking it in a tandoor. The marinade consists of yogurt, garlic, ginger, lemon juice, and a spice mix with cumin, coriander, paprika, and garam masala. Yogurt will keep the meat moist and will help the spice mix to stick on the chicken so that upon cooking, it forms a flavourful crust. Traditionally, Tandoori Chicken is prepared in a tandoor, which gives it that special smoky flavour and crispiness on the outside without drying the inside. It can also be prepared in a conventional oven or on a grill. Since it is prepared on a very high temperature, either in the oven or the tandoor, the spices caramelize and give it a lovely char and an aroma which is appetizing. This Tandoori Chicken recipe is perfect if you want to eat it with rice or fresh naan. Usually, it is consumed as a starter with either coriander-mint chutney, or as a side dish with your main course. Garnishing it with fresh coriander is a good option, and it is often served with onion rings and cucumber slices, that makes it taste spicy and refreshing at the same time. Here's a recipe of an item that's highly regarded as one of India's most delicious and highly popular dishes.

• 1 kg chicken
• 200 gms curd
• 2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 tbsp red chili powder
• 1 tbsp coriander powder
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp kasuri methi
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• Salt
• 1 onion
• 2 tbsp oil

• First, prepare 1 kg of chicken to make scrumptious homemade tandoori chicken.
• Clean the chicken and then cut it into pieces. Give cross cuts on each piece so the marinade goes deep inside the meat, increasing its taste.
• Once done, wash the chicken under cold running water and pat dry using paper towels. Dry and, after that, make more deep gashes on the chicken. These will help the marinade to go inside and give a more decadent and flavour-packed dish.
• Next, take 200 gms of thick curd in a mixing bowl and add the following spices and ingredients to it: 2 tbsp of ginger-garlic paste, 1 tbsp of red chilli powder, 1 tbsp of garam masala, 1 tbsp of coriander powder, and 1 tbsp of cumin powder. Add 1 tbsp of punch for each of “kasuri methi” or dried fenugreek leaves, as well as lemon juice for the acidity. Lastly, mix in salt to taste. Blend all the ingredients into a smooth, even marinade wherein the spices and ingredients have mixed well.
• Once the marinade is ready, take the chicken pieces in a bowl, covering them fully with the mixture. Using your hands or a spoon, make sure the chicken is well coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or close it with a lid. If possible, refrigerate the chicken with the marinade for at least 4 hours overnight. The longer the chicken marinades are, the tenderer and tastier they will be.
• When ready to cook chicken, preheat your tandoor to 200 C or a convection oven at about 400 F. For using a convection oven, place the oven with a baking rack atop a tray where it can drip into. The chicken, then, once marinated, will be threaded onto metal skewers. In case using wood skewers, first, dip them in the water for at least 30 minutes to avoid burning while cooking.
• Skewer chicken on the rack or in a tandoor grill for about 25-30 minutes; turn the skewers occasionally for even cooking and colouring. After every 10 minutes, brush the chicken with melted butter or oil to prevent it from drying out and to give it an added taste. A little seared outside while juicy and tender inside, the chicken is done.
• Once cooked, place the chicken on a serving plate by removing the pieces from the skewers. Tandoori Chicken is best enjoyed when served hot. It is usually served with mint chutney, which acts as a fresh contrast in coolness to the dish's spiciness. Sprinkle onion rings and lemon wedges over the chicken for more flavour and added freshness.
• Homemade tandoori chicken is good for parties or even as part of a regular meal. The smoky, char-grilled chicken with its flavours in the marinade is one dish that brings out the best of Indian cuisine. Whether served as a main dish or an appetiser, it will surely impress your family and guests with its irresistible taste and smell.
• If you liked this recipe of Tandoori chicken, don't forget to share it with your friends and family.