Tandoori Style Chicken – Made Simple

Step 1: Prepare the chicken

Cut the whole chicken into 4 pieces (2 breasts, 2 legs/thighs). Remove the skin. Cut 2-3 deep slits into each chicken piece, down to the bone. Season generously with salt on all sides.

Step 2: Prepare the marinade

In a large bowl, add plain Greek yogurt. Grate garlic and ginger into the yogurt. Add Dijon mustard, Kashmiri chili powder, garam masala, salt, and vegetable oil. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the bowl. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until a smooth paste forms.

Step 3: Marinate the chicken

Place the chicken pieces into the marinade mixture. Smother each piece of chicken completely with the marinade. Cover the bowl with cling film and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours).

Step 4: Cook the chicken

Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil and a slice of butter. Once the butter is melted and bubbling, carefully place the marinated chicken pieces into the hot fat. Cover the pan with a lid and cook on gentle heat until the chicken is browned on one side (approx. 10-15 minutes). Remove the lid, flip the chicken pieces over, and brown the other side (approx. 10-15 minutes).

Step 5: Add smoky flavor

Once the chicken is cooked and browned, create a space in the center of the pan and place a small metal cup. Heat a piece of charcoal on a burner over high heat until it is red hot and glowing (approx. 2-3 minutes). Carefully place the hot charcoal into the metal cup in the pan. Add a few drops of vegetable oil onto the charcoal to create smoke. Immediately cover the pan with a lid and let it smoke for 10 minutes to infuse the chicken with a smoky flavor. Remove the lid and carefully remove the metal cup with the charcoal. Baste the chicken with the pan juices.

Step 6: Prepare the salad

Thinly slice cucumber, red onion, and tomato. Chop fresh coriander leaves. In a bowl, combine the sliced vegetables and chopped coriander. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salad. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.

Step 7: Serve

Plate the Tandoori Style Chicken alongside the fresh salad. Cut into the chicken to show its tenderness.

• Refrigerate chicken overnight for best flavor.

• Use a metal cup and hot charcoal to infuse a smoky flavor into the chicken.