Testy Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori chicken is something that has pretty much put India on the global food map, several years ago! Chicken pieces marinated in yogurt and powdered spices, grilled in a clay pot tandoor till the outside is beautifully charred and the meat is juicy, succulent and falls of the bone. Any Punjabi, for that matter anyone who has tasted it will sing enough praises of it to make your mouth water. Instead of being basted with plenty of butter as it is traditionally done this recipe is a healthier but equally tasty olive version. It is the perfect starter to a North Indian meal.

Prep Time : 3.30-4 hour

Cook time : 11-15 minutes
Serve : 4
Level Of Cooking : Moderate
Taste : Spicy

Ingredients for Tandoori Chicken Recipe
Whole Chicken whole 1
Kashmiri red chilli powder 2 teaspoons
Lemon juice 3 tablespoons
Salt to taste
Yogurt 1 cup
Ginger paste 2 tablespoons
Garlic paste 2 tablespoons
Garam masala powder 1/2 teaspoon
Olive oil to baste 2 tablespoons
Chaat masala 1/2 teaspoon

How to Make Tandoori Chicken:
Directions:

• 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.

For the tandoori masala:

• In a pan dry roast cinnamon, peppercorns, green cardamom, brown cardamom, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, bay leaf and turmeric powder.
• In a mortar and pestle grind the dry roasted spices into a fine powder.
• Masala is ready.
• Tip: To make sure the chicken does not stick to the grill, glaze the grill with some oil.
• If you are making it in an oven, the temperature needs to be around 250-300 degrees C.