Grilled Tandoori Chicken (Printable)

Tender spiced yogurt-marinated chicken grilled to smoky, charred perfection.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs)

→ Marinade

02 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
03 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
04 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1½-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
07 - 2 tsp ground cumin
08 - 2 tsp ground coriander
09 - 1½ tsp paprika
10 - 1 tsp ground turmeric
11 - 1 tsp garam masala
12 - 1 tsp cayenne pepper
13 - 1½ tsp salt

→ Garnish

14 - Lemon wedges
15 - Fresh cilantro, chopped

# Directions:

01 - Using a sharp knife, make shallow cuts in the chicken thighs to help the marinade penetrate deeper into the meat.
02 - Whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, vegetable oil, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, garam masala, cayenne pepper, and salt in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
03 - Add chicken thighs to the marinade, turning to coat completely. Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
04 - Heat grill to medium-high temperature (400°F). Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking during cooking.
05 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Grill for 6-8 minutes per side until edges are charred and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
06 - Transfer chicken to a platter and let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices. Serve hot with lemon wedges and fresh cilantro sprinkled on top.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The yogurt marinade makes the chicken impossibly tender while infusing it with layers of warm aromatic spices
  • Grilling over high heat creates those gorgeous charred edges and smoky depth that you just cannot get from an oven
02 -
  • Do not skip the scoring step as it allows the marinade to really penetrate the meat instead of just coating the surface
  • Letting the chicken rest after grilling is essential for keeping it juicy
  • The charcoal trick adds incredible authentic smoky flavor but is optional
03 -
  • Bring the chicken to room temperature before grilling for more even cooking
  • Pat off excess marinade before grilling to prevent excessive charring

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