Tandoori Chicken is a popular Indian dish that originated in the northern region of India. It is made by marinating chicken in a mixture of yogurt and spices, which gives the chicken its signature red-orange color and tangy flavor. Traditionally, tandoori chicken is cooked in a tandoor oven, which is a cylindrical clay oven that is heated with charcoal or wood. The intense heat of the oven gives the chicken a smoky flavor and crisp texture on the outside while keeping it juicy and tender on the inside. Tandoori chicken is often served with rice, naan bread, and a side of raita, which is a yogurt-based dipping sauce. This dish has become a popular item in Indian restaurants all over the world, and it is also easy to make at home using an oven or grill.
Ingredients
For The Tandoori Chicken1 lb boneless chicken breast
1/2 cup plain yogurt (dahi)
2 tablespoons tandoori masala
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 teaspoon grated garlic
1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
Salt to taste
Juice of 1 lemon
Oil for grilling
For The Salad4 cups mixed salad greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula)
1/2 cup sliced cucumber
1/2 cup sliced red onion
1/2 cup sliced cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
For The Tandoori Chicken- Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and place them in a mixing bowl.
- Add yogurt, tandoori masala, grated ginger, grated garlic, cumin powder, coriander powder, salt, and lemon juice to the bowl and mix well.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Thread the chicken onto skewers and grill for 8-10 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked.
- Remove the chicken from the skewers and set aside.
For The Salad- In a large mixing bowl, add the mixed salad greens, sliced cucumber, sliced red onion, sliced cherry tomatoes, and chopped cilantro.
- Drizzle lemon juice over the salad and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss the salad until all the ingredients are well combined.
To Serve:- Place the grilled tandoori chicken on top of the salad.
- Garnish with additional cilantro leaves and lemon wedges.
- Serve the Tandoori Chicken Tikka Salad immediately.
You can also cook tandoori chicken on a grill or in a skillet on the stove if you don't have a tandoor oven. Serve the tandoori chicken with rice, naan bread, and a side of raita, which is a yogurt-based dipping sauce.