Tandoori Grilled Chicken makes the perfect summer meal that you can marinate the day before and throw on the grill when you get home. The tandoori marinade is full of flavor and the turmeric makes this a superfood to add to the list.
When you think of superfoods you might not think of spices, especially turmeric, but it is a powerful spice.
Not only is the flavor rich and bold, but it also offers your body nutritional benefits.
I use turmeric a lot in many of the dishes I cook from this Moroccan Carrot Red Lentil Soup to this Indian Spiced Vegetable Chickpea Soup to this Curried Chicken and Rice Casserole.
Today’s Tandoori Grilled Chicken is the perfect summer dish to add to your grilling rotation. The marinade for this Tandoori Chicken comes together in 10 minutes and your grill does the rest of the work.
Try my Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Legs recipe if you like tandoori style recipes.
If you like chicken recipes check mine out here. You might also like these Easy Baked Chicken Tenders, Chicken Lentil Soup, Chicken Sliders or these Air Fryer Chicken Tenders.
Why You Will Love Tandoori Grilled Chicken
- Great for Meal-Prep: When you meal prep this is a great recipe to add to the line-up. You can grill a big batch of the tandoori chicken, chop it up and have it in an airtight container for the week. It will work great in rice bowls, salads or on its own.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is simple to make. Once you create the marinade let the chicken soak in the flavors and then you can grill the chicken, bake it or even cook it in the air fryer.
- Perfect for a Crowd: If you are having a big summer get together this would be a great recipe. You can easily double or triple the marinade recipe for a bigger batch of chicken.
Recipe Ingredients You’ll Need
- Spices: The warm, rich spices create the perfect marinade for this chicken. Paprika, chili powder, turmeric, cayenne red pepper and cumin are the stars of the spice mix.
- Yogurt: Do you ever use yogurt marinades? They are my favorite. The yogurt helps to lock in the flavors and juices of the chicken. I used plain yogurt but Greek yogurt works too.
- Citrus: Lime Juice adds acid and sweetness to the marinade.
- Ginger: Freshly grated ginger is one of the best ways to add flavor to a dish. Today’s marinade uses 2 Tablespoons freshly grated ginger. If you don’t have fresh on hand you can always substitute ground ginger in its place.
How to Make this Tandoori Chicken
Step 1: Mix Marinade: In a medium bowl mix together the yogurt, paprika, chili powder, salt, turmeric, cumin, cayenne red pepper, lime juice, minced garlic and fresh ginger.
Step 2: Marinade Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large ziplock bag and pour the yogurt marinade in. Close the bag and start massaging the yogurt marinade into the chicken with your hands until well coated. Place the chicken in the refrigerator for two hours.
Step 3: Grill Chicken: When ready to cook the chicken heat the grill. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Preheat the grill to medium heat. Brush oil over grate to prevent sticking, and place chicken on the grill. Grill the chicken breasts, brushing the leftover marinade over the chicken breasts as it cooks. Once done remove from the grill and cover and allow to rest for about 5 minutes then serve. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and lime wedges.
What to Serve with Tandoori Chicken
- Serve with naan, basmati rice, raita (yogurt sauce), Dill Yogurt Sauce, pickled red onions, and mint chutney.
- I love serving this chicken with a light salad. Try this Lemon Arugula Salad, Easy Lebanese Salad or this Summer Orzo Pasta Salad.
- Potatoes are a great side dish for this meal. Try my Lemon Cilantro Roasted Potatoes, Lebanese Spicy Potatoes or these Paprika Roasted Potatoes.
Recipe FAQ
I love using chicken breasts or chicken thighs but you can also use chicken tenderloins. You will want to adjust the cook time depending on how thick the chicken is.
The main reason is overcooking. Use a meat thermometer and remove the chicken when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
Other Chicken Recipes
Tandoori Grilled Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
- 1 cup plain yogurt {I used low fat yogurt but you can also use Greek yogurt}
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne red pepper
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges
Instructions
- In a medium bowl mix together the yogurt, paprika, chili powder, salt, turmeric, cumin, cayenne red pepper, lime juice, minced garlic and fresh ginger.
- Place the chicken breasts in a large ziplock bag and pour the yogurt marinade in. Close the bag and start massaging the yogurt marinade into the chicken with your hands until well coated.
- Place the chicken in the refrigerator to marinade overnight or at least 2 hours.
- When ready to cook the chicken heat the grill. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat. Brush oil over grate to prevent sticking, and place chicken on the grill. Grill the chicken breasts, brushing the leftover marinade over the chicken breasts as it cooks. You need to reach an internal temperature on 165 degrees F. (74 degrees C.) {takes us about 6 or 7 minutes per side but varies}. Check all the pieces of chicken to be certain that they are cooked.
- Once done remove from the grill and cover and allow to rest for about 5 minutes then serve. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and lime wedges.
Being Indian, I always pay attention when I see the word Tandoori. You have a great recipe here and your pics look so good.
Great job! The chicken has such great color! I bet it would be great with a chutney.
Oh it would!! Great idea.
I love tandoori, in fact it’s pretty much the only Indian food I like ;). I definitely need to try this soon!
Thanks Sara!
I’ve never made tandoori chicken so that definitely needs to change! Love these spices!!!
Oh it is wonderful! I hope you try it out.
Tandoori is one of the few things I haven’t done to chicken at home yet. I went to an Indian festival last weekend though and after eating some thought to myself how I needed to make it happen asap. What perfect timing for your post to remind me 🙂
Yes! It is so good. I love the bold flavors and when you grill it I think it is even better. Hope you like it Gina! 🙂
Looks so delicious and flavorful, Julia. I would love to try this. I don’t have enough recipes with turmeric. Thanks for the inspiration!
This marinade sounds delicious. Pinned!
Judy@ImBoredLetsGo recently posted..Raspberry Sherbet
Turmeric is an amazing spice. So good for you. Just like this delicious chicken.
How I love all things tandoori! Your spice blend in the recipe sounds absolutely delicious!