Easy Grilled Tandoori-Style Chicken

Submitted by Chef PotPie

"This chicken is fantastic! It tastes just like we get at the Indian restaurant and I am asked to bring it to barbeques all summer long. It can also be done in the oven on cold winter days. From Hungry Foodies Pharmacy."

 

• Ready In: 1hr
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 4 chicken legs, and thigh quarters skinless, bone-in. (I use 8 thighs)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 tablespoon sweet paprika (not hot)
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 1⁄2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt

directions

1. Heat the oil in a small pan over medium heat, then cook the coriander, cumin, turmeric, cayenne, garam masala and paprika, stirring often, until fragrant (approximately 2-3 minutes). Do not let burn! Let cool completely.
2. Whisk in the cooled spice-oil mixture into the yogurt, then mix in the lemon juice, garlic, salt and ginger.
3. Cut deep slashes (to the bone) in 3-4 places on the leg/thigh pieces. Just make 2-3 cuts if you are using separate drumsticks and thighs. Coat the chicken in the marinade, squishing into the slashes. Cover and chill for at least six hours.
4. Prepare your grill so that one side is quite hot over direct heat, the other side cooler, not over direct heat. If using charcoal, leave one side of the grill without coals, so you have a hot side and a cooler side. If you are using a gas grill, just turn on one-half of the burners. Use tongs to wipe the grill grates with a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil. Take the chicken out of the marinade and shake off the excess. You want the chicken coated, but not gloppy. Put the chicken pieces on the hot side of the grill and cover. Cook 2-3 minutes before checking.
5. Turn the chicken so it is brown (even a little bit charred) on all sides, then move it to the cool side of the grill. Cover and cook for at least 20 minutes, up to 40 minutes (or longer) depending on the size of the chicken and the temperature of the grill. The chicken is done when its juices run clear.
6. You can also cook this in your oven. Preheat the oven to 550 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place chicken onto baking sheet, and put into the oven. Bake for about 15 minutes. Turn on the broiler, and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to char the chicken a little bit more.
7. Let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Serve with lemon wedges, and grilled sliced onions.