Weeknight Tandoori Chicken Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Make shallow cuts in the chicken thighs with a sharp knife. Toss the chicken with the lemon juice and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl.
• Pulse 2 tablespoons yogurt, the vegetable oil, onion, garlic, ginger, tomato paste, coriander, cumin, 11/2 teaspoons paprika and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor to make a paste. Toss the chicken in the mixture and let marinate 15 minutes.
• Place the chicken on a foil-lined broiler pan. Broil, turning once, until slightly charred and a thermometer inserted into the center registers 165 degrees F, 5 to 6 minutes per side.
• Meanwhile, combine the remaining 1/2 cup yogurt and 1/4 teaspoon paprika, the cilantro and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Top the chicken with the yogurt sauce and serve with rice, if desired.
• Per serving: Calories 237; Fat 9 g (Saturated 2 g); Cholesterol 115 mg; Sodium 1,266 mg; Carbohydrate 8 g; Fiber 2 g; Protein 30 g

Steps:

• Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound them to just under 1/2 inch thick all over.
• Whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, curry powder, ginger, garlic and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Cut 5 shallow diagonal slits on both sides of each chicken breast. Add the breasts to the bowl with the yogurt mixture and toss to coat; let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• Preheat the broiler and position a rack 4 inches from the heating element. Line a baking sheet or skillet with foil.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Place the chicken on the baking sheet or in the skillet. Broil the chicken, flipping the chicken halfway through, until it is firm, charred in spots and has no visible pinkness inside, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle with the cilantro and serve with rice and roasted cauliflower or your favorite vegetable.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the garlic powder, coriander, cumin, ginger, salt, and cayenne with a fork. Dredge the chicken in the spice mixture and set aside.
• In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chicken, sprinkle any remaining spices on top, and sear until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
• Add the coconut milk and tomato sauce, bring to a boil, and cover with a lid. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the chicken is done all the way through (no longer pink), 8 to 10 minutes.
• Layer in bowls with brown rice on the bottom, then spinach, chicken, sauce, yogurt, and fresh herbs. Enjoy!

Steps:

• Using a sharp knife, slash the chicken diagonally along the grain. The slashes should be about 1/2-inch deep and about 1/2-inch apart. Rub the slashes with the salt and set the chicken in a ceramic bowl. In another bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, ginger and garam masala and pour over the chicken. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
• One hour before serving, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 500 degrees. (This chicken can also be cooked on a charcoal grill; if using one, light the coals at this point.) Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry. Drizzle each piece with oil and roast for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the juices run clear. (If using a grill, cook for 20 to 30 minutes on each side, or until the skin is crisp and the juices run clear.)

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl, stir together the yogurt and lemon juice. Add the spices, minced garlic, and chili paste, and whisk until you have a smooth, thick marinade.
• Put 6 pieces of the chicken in each of two zip-lock bags, and add 1/2 the marinade to each bag. Zip closed and knead the bags until the chicken is well-coated with marinade. Open bags slightly, squeeze out most of the air, and zip closed again. Refrigerate 12-24 hours. If serving this for dinner, I usually make the marinade and start the chicken soaking the evening before.
• Turn the bags and knead the marinating chicken once or twice while it's in the refrigerator.
• When you are ready to cook, take the chicken out of the refrigerator, line a large roasting pan with foil, lay a rack over the pan so air can circulate under the roasting chicken, and pre-heat your oven to 425. If you have a convection bake or convection roast cycle, use that.
• Place the chicken pieces on the rack so they are not touching. Empty what is left of the marinade into a bowl or measuring cup and touch up any "empty" spots on the chicken pieces with the marinade.
• Once the oven is hot, put the pan with the chicken in the oven, and leave the door closed (no peeking!). Turn the chicken pieces once after 30 minutes of cooking time, then roast for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until slightly charred on the second side, but no more than 15 minutes for legs and thighs. If you are cooking breasts, poke one with a skewer to make sure the juices run clear.
• NOW TURN THE OVEN OFF, and let the chicken rest in the closed oven for 20-30 minutes more (not critical, but NO PEEKING!).
• Remove the chicken to a warm platter, garnish with the onion rings and a few squeezes of lemon, and enjoy!
• See if you don't agree this is as good as any "authentic" Tandoori chicken you've ever tried!

Steps:

• Remove skin from chicken pieces, and cut slits into them lengthwise. Place in a shallow dish. Sprinkle both sides of chicken with salt and lemon juice. Set aside 20 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, onion, garlic, ginger, garam masala, and cayenne pepper. Mix until smooth. Stir in yellow and red food coloring. Spread yogurt mixture over chicken. Cover, and refrigerate for 6 to 24 hours (the longer the better).
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium high heat, and lightly oil grate.
• Cook chicken on grill until no longer pink and juices run clear. Garnish with cilantro and lemon wedges.

Steps:

• Prick holes in the chicken with the tines of a fork. In a large bowl, mix together the marinade ingredients. Add the chicken and marinate, covered, overnight in the refrigerator, turning occasionally.
• Heat the grill. Remove the chicken from the marinade. Scrape off excess and reserve. Brush the grill with oil. Grill the chicken for 5 minutes. Turn and baste with sauce. Continue to turn and baste, using as much sauce as desired, until the juices run clear when pricked with a knife, about 12 to 15 minutes.
• Serve garnished with slices of tomato, cucumber, onion, lemon and cilantro sprigs.