This Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken is an easy full tandoori chicken recipe bursting with authentic Indian flavors. Marinated, charred, and perfectly cooked in the air fryer, this whole chicken tandoori offers a tantalizing symphony of tanginess and smokiness. The flavors in this tandoori chicken air fryer recipe capture the delicious and aromatic flavors of traditional tandoori chicken. As you’ll see, the whole tandoori chicken recipe is easy to follow, and the air fryer makes cooking the chicken a breeze. The yogurt-based marinade makes for juicy and tender airfryer tandoori chicken. Additionally, the use of an air fryer cooks the chicken quickly, which reduces overall cooking time compared with cooking it in an oven (and air frying is a healthier alternative to deep frying – score!). If you’re looking for a full tandoori chicken recipe, or a recipe for an air fryer whole tandoori chicken, look no further! Keep reading for tips and FAQs for preparing this air fried tandoori chicken (including modifications for the oven), or click the Jump to Recipe button above to get cooking!
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More easy air fryer recipes like this whole chicken tandoori
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- Guilt-Free Air Fryer Ranch Zucchini Chips Recipe
- Lighter Air Fryer Fried Pickles with Sriracha Mayo Recipe
- Air Fryer Tostones (Fried Green Plantain Chips) recipe
- Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Scallops with Sriracha Mayo
- Beef Wontons Recipe (including an air fryer variation)
- Mini Air Fryer Cherry Hand Pies
- Air Fryer Blueberry Hand Pies (blueberry mini pies)
- Air Fryer Fall-Spiced Apple Fritters (easy air-fried apple fritters)
What you need to make a full chicken tandoori in the air fryer
Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Ingredients:
- 3-4 pounds spatchcocked whole chicken, skin on (spatchcocking the chicken allows you to cook a whole chicken tandoori faster and evenly. You can use boneless chicken thighs or drumsticks if you don’t want to cook a whole chicken. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time.)
- ⅓ cup plain full-fat* or low-fat yogurt (the yogurt acts as a tenderizer. It also keeps the chicken moist and adds a tangy flavor to the marinade. Greek yogurt, buttermilk, or Kefir can be used as a substitute, but I don’t recommend using a non-fat yogurt* in this tandoori chicken air fryer recipe.)
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika powder (this gives the air fried tandoori chicken its signature red color. It also adds a mild, smoky flavor to the chicken. You can use regular paprika for less smokiness.)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin powder
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (the cayenne pepper adds heat and spice to the tandoori marinade. Feel free to adjust the amount to your personal preference or omit it if you’re not much into spicy foods.)
Supplies Needed for Making this Full Tandoori Chicken:
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or fork
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Basting brush
- Kitchen tongs
- Aluminum foil (optional)
- Serving platter
Recipe tips and FAQs for making this tandoori chicken air fryer recipe
What is a tandoor oven and how is it related to traditional tandoori chicken in
Indian cuisine?
The traditional tandoori chicken is often cooked in a cylindrical clay oven known as a tandoor oven. This super hot clay oven is used in many Indian restaurants to create the authentic flavors of tandoori cuisine. The tandoor oven is very hot and gives the chicken its distinct smoky and charred flavor. Tandoori chicken is a popular dish in Indian cuisine, it’s known for its vibrant red color and deliciously spiced taste.
*Can I use non-fat yogurt in this full tandoori chicken recipe?
I recommend using full-fat or low-fat plain yogurt for this air fryer tandoori chicken because they always result in a creamier and tender chicken. Non-fat yogurt might result in a drier chicken.
Can I use a different spice blend for my whole tandoori chicken recipe?
Feel free to experiment with other spice blends like tandoori masala, garam masala, and chaat masala, or add more spices to your marinade like red chili powder and ginger paste.
Can I cook the full tandoori chicken in a traditional oven instead of an air fryer?
Yes, you absolutely can. Preheat the oven to 350°F (220°C) and bake the chicken at the center of the oven on a baking sheet for about 30-40 minutes or until the roast tandoori chicken is cooked through.
Can I use this recipe for grilling instead of air frying?
Yes, you can use this same marinade to grill the chicken. When grilling, be sure to grill it over medium-high heat until the chicken is cooked through. I recommend about 6-8 minutes per side until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Can I freeze the marinated chicken for later use?
Yes, you can marinate the butterflied chicken and freeze it for up to 3 months. I recommend thawing it completely by placing it in the fridge to thaw overnight before cooking the air fryer whole tandoori chicken.
How do I ensure the chicken is fully cooked?
I usually use a kitchen thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the whole chicken tandoori. The meat temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to make sure it’s fully cooked.
Can I make the marinade in advance?
You certainly can! I sometimes like to make the marinade a day in advance and then store it in the fridge to save time when I cook. I then marinate the chicken for 24 hours – 30 minutes closer to the cooking time.
Can I use this recipe for chicken breasts?
Chicken breasts can be used for this recipe, but they tend to dry out as compared to cooking a whole chicken tandoori. If you’re using chicken breasts, I recommend marinating them for a shorter time and also reducing the cooking time. If you can, use chicken thighs instead, as they tend to stay more moist (and flavorful, in my opinion).
What can I serve with airfryer tandoori chicken?
Tandoori chicken pairs really well with basmati rice, jeera rice, Indian flatbread naan bread, roasted veggies, or a cucumber salad.
Can I use this recipe for other meats?
This recipe was developed and written specifically for chicken, but you can adapt it for other meats like turkey, duck, or even lamb. Be sure to adjust the cooking time as appropriate for different meats.
How to make Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken
To make this tandoori chicken air fryer recipe, start by preparing the chicken. Spatchcock your chicken by placing it on a table with its back facing down.
Then, cut along the center of the breast bone using kitchen scissors or a knife.
Flip the chicken over and press it down to flatten it.
Using the same knife, make some gashes all over the chicken.
Add the plain yogurt, paprika, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, ground ginger, and cayenne pepper to a mixing bowl.
Whisk the ingredients until they are well combined. This will be your homemade tandoori marinade.
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, and then place it in a large mixing bowl and massage the marinade into the chicken, making sure to get it all over the chicken.
Let the full chicken tandoori marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge for maximum flavor.
When you’re ready to cook your Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken, remove the entire chicken from the marinade, but reserve the leftover marinade for basting. Place the chicken breast side down in the air fryer basket.
Cook the whole chicken tandoori at 350°F for 15 minutes. After the 15-minute mark, carefully flip the chicken using tongs and cook it for an additional 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken thigh reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is cooked through. While the Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken is cooking, baste it with the reserved marinade for extra flavor and moisture.
After the full chicken tandoori is cooked, transfer it to a serving platter, cover it with aluminum foil, and let the chicken cool for about 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
Serve the air fryer whole tandoori chicken hot, with your favorite toppings and sides.
Place any leftover airfryer tandoori chicken in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Here’s the recipe for making whole chicken tandoori in the air fryer! If you love this Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken, too, please let others know by leaving a rating on the recipe. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken
This Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken is an easy full tandoori chicken recipe bursting with authentic Indian flavors. Whole chicken tandoori is marinated in yogurt and spices then cooked to perfection in the air fryer!
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds spatchcocked whole chicken, skin on
- ⅓ cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin powder
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust this according to your spice preference)
Instructions
- Spatchcock your chicken by placing it on a table with its back facing down. Then, cut along the center of the breast bone using kitchen scissors or a knife. Flip the chicken over and press it down to flatten it. Using the same knife, make some gashes all over the chicken.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the plain yogurt, paprika, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, ground ginger, and cayenne pepper. Whisk the ingredients until they are well combined. This will be your homemade tandoori marinade.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, and then place it in a large mixing bowl and massage the marinade into the chicken, making sure to get it all over the chicken. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge for maximum flavor.
- Remove the entire chicken from the marinade, but reserve the leftover marinade for basting.
- Place the chicken breast side down in the air fryer basket, and cook at 350°F for 15 minutes. After the 15-minute mark, carefully flip the chicken using tongs and cook it for an additional 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken thigh reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is cooked through.
- While the chicken is cooking, baste it with the reserved marinade for extra flavor and moisture.
- After the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a serving platter, cover it with aluminum foil, and let the chicken cool for about 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Serve the air fryer whole tandoori chicken hot, with your favorite toppings and sides. Place leftover chicken in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Notes
Ingredient Tips:
- Spatchcocking the chicken allows you to cook it faster and evenly. You can use boneless chicken thighs or drumsticks if you don't want to cook a whole chicken. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time.
- The yogurt acts as a tenderizer. It also keeps the chicken moist and adds a tangy flavor to the marinade. Greek yogurt, buttermilk, or Kefir can be used as a substitute.
- The smoked paprika gives the chicken its signature red color. It also adds a mild, smoky flavor to the chicken. You can use regular paprika for less smokiness.
- The cayenne pepper adds heat and spice to the tandoori marinade. Feel free to adjust the amount to your personal preference or omit it if you’re not much into spicy foods.
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