Tandoori Recipes That Make the Best Baked Tandoori Chicken
A flavorful and comforting baked tandoori chicken recipe made with a spiced yogurt marinade and oven-roasted to juicy, charred perfection.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus marinating)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes (plus marinating)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
2.5–3 lbs chicken thighs or drumsticks, skinless
1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
2 tbsp garlic-ginger paste
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp neutral oil
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
Optional: red food coloring
Fresh cilantro and lemon wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix yogurt, garlic-ginger paste, lemon juice, oil, and spices.
- Add chicken and coat well. Cover and marinate for 6+ hours, ideally overnight.
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack on top.
- Arrange chicken on rack. Let sit at room temp for 15 minutes.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping once.
- Broil for 3–5 minutes to lightly char.
- Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and lemon.
Notes
Marinating overnight intensifies flavor. Use a wire rack for better roasting. Broiling adds classic tandoori texture.