Tandoori Chicken Tenders With Spinach Raita

Bring the tastes of India home for dinner with this chicken dish. As an accompaniment, naan bread can be bought in the speciality aisle of your supermarket.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• Tandoori Chicken Tenders

• 1⁄2 cup plain yogurt
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon ground cumin
• 1  teaspoon ground coriander
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1  teaspoon garam masala
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  minced garlic
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  minced ginger
• 1 -1 1⁄2 lb  chicken tenders (about 8 pieces)
• 3  tablespoons  vegetable oil
• 1 -1 1⁄2 cup panko breadcrumbs

• Spinach Raita

• 1 1⁄2 cups plain yogurt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon ground cumin
• 1  tablespoon  vegetable oil
•  black pepper (to season)
• 6  ounces  baby spinach leaves
• 1⁄4 cup  lightly packed cilantro
• 1⁄4 cup  lightly packed mint leaf

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix yogurt, salt, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, cayenne, garlic and ginger.
2. Put tenders in a resealable ziplock plastic bag and add the yogurt mixture to the bag. Toss to coat the chicken.
3. Seal bag, squeezing out excess air and marinate, refrigerated, at least 20 minutes and up to overnight.
4. When ready to cook chicken, remove tenders from marinade. Pour panko on to a plate and press tenders into panko, turning, until well coated.
5. Heat oil in large skillet until shimmering. Cook tenders, in batches if needed to avoid crowding, 3 to 4 minutes per side (or to 165 degrees). Add additional oil to pan as needed. Transfer tenders to a serving plate. Serve with Spinach Raita and naan bread.
6. To Make the Spinach Raita: Heat oil in a large non stick skillet until shimmering. Add spinach and sprinkle with black pepper. Stir-fry until spinach is wilted, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove spinach from pan. Cool and drain, then squeeze out excess moisture. Chop and set aside.
7. In food processor or blender, combine yogurt, cilantro, mint, salt and cumin. Process until mixed. Transfer to a serving bowl. Stir in chopped spinach and refrigerate covered until ready to serve.