Description
This Indian Tikka Spiced Chicken recipe features tender boneless chicken thighs marinated in a fragrant blend of yogurt and traditional Indian spices, then roasted to perfection for a slightly charred and flavorful finish. It’s perfect as a main dish served with fresh cilantro, lemon wedges, and sliced red onions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 28 oz boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into large chunks
- 5.3 oz plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 ½ tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp chili powder, adjust to taste
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Lemon wedges
- Sliced red onion
Instructions
- Prepare marinading mixture: In a bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, vegetable oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, garam masala, ground turmeric, chili powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Marinate chicken: Add the chicken thigh chunks to the marinade and coat each piece thoroughly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour; marinating overnight is recommended for deeper flavor penetration.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking setup: Preheat your oven to 430°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top to allow air circulation beneath the chicken pieces, helping to achieve even cooking and crispiness.
- Arrange chicken for roasting: Place the marinated chicken pieces evenly spaced on the wire rack. Shake off any excess marinade to minimize dripping on the foil below.
- Roast chicken: Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. For extra crispiness and slightly charred edges, broil the chicken for an additional 2 to 3 minutes at the end, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves, lemon wedges, and sliced red onion before serving.
Notes
- The chicken can be marinated overnight for the best flavor infusion.
- Adjust chili powder to control the heat level according to your preference.
- A wire rack elevates the chicken for more even cooking and helps achieve crispy edges.
- Broiling at the end adds a nice char but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- This dish pairs well with naan, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: Tikka chicken, Indian chicken recipe, roasted chicken, Indian spices, yogurt marinated chicken, easy Indian dinner
