Indian Tandoori Chicken

Step 1

Wash the chicken pieces thoroughly & pat dry with a paper towel.

Step 2

Make incisions with a sharp knife on thick parts of the chicken pieces deep enough to reach the bone.

Step 3

Apply a mixture one tablespoon lemon juice and salt over the chicken and set aside for half an hour.

Step 4

For the marinade, tie up yogurt in a piece of muslin /cheese cloth and hang over a bowl for fifteen to twenty minutes.

Step 5

Remove the thick yogurt into another bowl. Beat the yogurt for about 2 minutes to remove all lumps .

Step 6

Add the remaining ingredients of the marinade to the yogurt and mix well.

Step 7

Rub this marinade over the chicken pieces.

Step 8

Put the chicken pieces and marinade in a bowl ,cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and marinate overnight or for at least 6-7 hours in a refrigerator.

Step 1

This is what I do: Preheat the oven at 450 F broiler mode.Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and arrange the chicken pieces on it.

Step 2

Brush the marinated chicken pieces with oil/butter. Tip the sheet inside the oven on top rack and cook for about 22-25 minutes flipping it after 15 minutes till chicken is done but still tender.You may get some burnt marks on the chicken but thats okay!After the chicken is done,take a small bowl and light a little piece of charcoal in it.Tranfer the chicken to a big bowl and in between,place the small bowl with charcoal and cover with a aluminium foil for about 5 minutes.This will infuse the chicken with smoky flavor.Be very careful doing this.Take care that there should be no vivible flame on the charcoal piece,only fumes!

Step 3

Grill and cook the chicken for 2o minutes till done and but still tender.

Step 4

Bake it in the oven for 25-30 minutes at 400 F,turning and basting with oil.

Step 5

Pierce the chicken with toothpick/fork to check if it is done.

Step 6

Serve with mint & coriander chutney, onion rings, lemon wedges and sliced tomatoes. You can sprinkle some chaat masala also if you want.