How to make Tandoori chicken

 Tandoori chicken is a popular Indian dish known for its smoky and aromatic flavors. It's traditionally cooked in a tandoor (clay oven), but you can make a delicious version at home using your regular oven. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make tandoori chicken:

Ingredients:

For the Marinade:

1. 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 8 bone-in chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or a mix)
2. 1 cup plain yogurt
3. 2 tablespoons lemon juice
4. 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste (or finely minced ginger and garlic)
5. 2 tablespoons tandoori masala powder (readily available in stores or homemade)
6. 1 teaspoon ground cumin
7. 1 teaspoon ground coriander
8. 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
9. 1/2 teaspoon paprika (for color)
10. 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice preference)
11. 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
12. 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring (optional, for the classic red tandoori color)
13. 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
14. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

For Garnish:

1. Lemon wedges
2. Fresh cilantro leaves

Instructions:

1. Preparation: If you're using chicken breasts, cut them into large chunks. If using bone-in pieces, make 2-3 deep cuts on each piece to allow the marinade to penetrate. This also helps in even cooking.

2. Marinating the Chicken:

   a. In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, tandoori masala powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, paprika, cayenne pepper, ground black pepper, red food coloring (if using), salt, and vegetable oil. Mix well to form a smooth marinade.

   b. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid.

   c. Refrigerate the marinated chicken for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. The longer you marinate, the more flavorful the chicken will be.

3. Cooking the Tandoori Chicken:

   a. Preheat your oven to the highest temperature setting (usually around 500°F or 260°C) with the oven rack placed in the upper third of the oven.

   b. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, or you can place them on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet to allow for even cooking.

   c. Place the chicken in the preheated oven and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and has a slightly charred appearance. You can also use the broil setting for a couple of minutes at the end to get that classic tandoori char.

4. Serving:

   a. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.

   b. Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh cilantro leaves.

Serve your homemade tandoori chicken with naan, rice, or a side of mint chutney. Enjoy the smoky, flavorful goodness of this classic Indian dish!