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Chicken Tikka Recipe with tender grilled chicken pieces coated in Indian spices and lightly charred

Chicken Tikka Recipe

Learn how to make juicy, smoky, and perfectly spiced Chicken Tikka at home without a tandoor oven. This beginner-friendly guide walks you through the secrets of the perfect yogurt marinade.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients
  

  • 600 g Chicken thighs or breasts Boneless, skinless, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
  • 1 tbsp Lemon juice Freshly squeezed
  • 2 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder Divided use
  • 1 tsp Salt Adjust to taste
  • 120 g Greek yogurt Or hung curd, must be thick
  • 1.5 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste Freshly ground is best
  • 1 tbsp Mustard oil Or any neutral cooking oil
  • 1 tsp Garam masala Aromatic spice blend
  • 1 tsp Ground cumin Roasted ground cumin preferred
  • 0.5 tsp Turmeric powder For earthy flavor and golden hue
  • 2 tbsp Butter Melted, for basting

Method
 

  1. Pat the 600g of chicken cubes completely dry with paper towels to ensure the marinade sticks properly.
  2. Toss the chicken with lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of Kashmiri red chili powder, and salt. Set aside for 15 minutes.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, mustard oil, remaining Kashmiri chili, garam masala, ground cumin, and turmeric until smooth.
  4. Combine the yogurt mixture with the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
  5. Thread the chicken pieces onto wooden (soaked) or metal skewers, leaving slight gaps between the pieces so they cook evenly.
  6. Place skewers on a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil on high for 12-15 minutes, flipping once, until charred spots appear on the edges.
  7. Brush with melted butter in the final 2 minutes of cooking for a glossy, moist finish.