Posted on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

Tandoor Chicken

Recipe originally from Masala and Chai with modifications from Jai Mehra and myself. Note that it requires a 24 hour marinade but is otherwise easy.

Astute readers may notice that the recipe says to bake for 20 min and then broil for 3. This is because the first time I made this, I tried to cook it by broiling (no baking), and I almost started a fire. Likely skill issue. I do think it turns out better if you cook it by broiling instead of baking, but I don't want to be held responsible for that.

Modifications

  • from me: the recipe is for a whole chicken. I have never done this since it is too much work, I just use the marinade with chicken thighs
  • from Jai: instead of the Kashmiri chili powder, cumin, and turmeric, he uses a premade TOOBA Chicken Tikka mix. I have no idea if it would be better with the original spices. This is good too.

Spicy Notes

For spicy, use 2 tbsp of the spice mix (less than one packet). For less spicy, use 1 tbsp. For more spicy, use more or the whole packet (I have never done this, do this at your own risk).

Staple Ingredients

  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1.5 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp ground green cardamom
  • 1 tsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil or mayo
  • 2 tbsp TOOBA Chicken Tikka mix

Special Ingredients

  • chicken thighs, maybe 2 lbs ish
  • 1/2 cup whole milk yogurt (one little container)
  • 1/2 lemon
  • 2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
  • (optional) red onion, chopped cilantro

Instructions

  • The day before you want to eat
    • do the dry brine if you want. Rub chicken in lemon and a little salt and let sit for an hour
    • mix yogurt, oil, spices, ginger garlic paste. marinade for 24 hours in the fridge
  • Undoh on four hundoh
  • Once oven is preheated, put chicken thighs in oven for 20 ish min
  • Put oven on broil for 3 ish min, maybe until there is some smoke (fire means it's working)
  • Check that the chicken is done
  • Make rice and/or vegetables if you want
  • Do something with the red onion and chopped cilantro. Idk, I've never read that part of the recipe
  • Enjoy