Name: Chef John's Tandoori Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 140 min
Ingredients: 0.5 lime, juiced; 1.5 tablespoons plain yogurt; 1.5 tablespoons tandoori masala powder; salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

This recipe is scaled to its original yield. Ingredient amounts adjust automatically for larger or smaller portions, but cooking times remain unchanged. Note that scaling may not always be exact.

lime, juiced
1 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 tablespoons tandoori masala powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Original recipe yield: 6 servings

Directions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together lime juice, yogurt, tandoori masala, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.

Step 2: Pour the mixture into a resealable plastic bag. Add chicken thighs, making sure each piece is fully coated. Squeeze out excess air and seal the bag securely. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.

Step 3: Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat and lightly brush the grill grate with oil to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on a plate or baking sheet lined with paper towels. Pat the chicken dry with additional paper towels for a crispier exterior.

Step 5: Grill chicken with the lid open for 2 minutes to sear the outside. Then close the lid and cook for another 6 minutes.

Step 6: Turn the chicken over, close the lid, and continue grilling for an additional 6 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and no longer pink in the center. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part should register 180F (82C).

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories: 215
Total Fat: 11g (14% DV)
Saturated Fat: 3g (16% DV)
Cholesterol: 94mg (31% DV)
Sodium: 93mg (4% DV)
Total Carbohydrate: 2g (1% DV)
Dietary Fiber: 1g (3% DV)
Total Sugars: 0g
Protein: 26g (52% DV)
Vitamin C: 3mg (3% DV)
Calcium: 31mg (2% DV)
Iron: 2mg (8% DV)
Potassium: 267mg (6% DV)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Nutrient information may not be available for all ingredients.

Comments

Lisa Hernandez

02/18/2025 10:00:12 AM

"The recipe is easy to follow and delicious. I marinated the chicken overnight and then grilled it on my gas grill. I found that adding a bit of salt to the seasoning would enhance the flavor, as the tandoori mix alone was not salty enough. This simple adjustment could prevent the chicken from getting too dry during cooking. The chicken turned out perfectly and was a great addition to the Tikka Masala sauce that I prepared."

Jessica Lopez

10/01/2023 03:02:13 PM

I opted for garam masala as it was what I had on hand. We thoroughly enjoyed the dish.

Margaret Mitchell

07/24/2024 07:22:00 PM

I prepared tandoori masala using a recipe and grilling the thighs, it was a big hit in my household.

Daniel Parker

05/22/2024 04:57:26 AM

My entire family adored this dish, and it's incredibly simple to whip up. Even my finicky son, who typically dislikes chicken, declared this recipe to be delicious.

Patrick Scott

08/10/2022 07:36:16 AM

I decided to prepare all of my husband's beloved Indian dishes to lift his spirits during the isolation of the pandemic. Seeing my husband so happy made it all worth it.