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Tandoori-Inspired Chicken Kebabs

Tandoori-Inspired Chicken Kebabs

To get tandoori chicken flavor on a weeknight, we opt for a simple blender yogurt marinade and kebab skewers. These chicken kebabs come together in the oven; no need to open the grill.

By Courtney HillNovember 14, 2022

  • Makes
    4 to 6 servings
  • Cook Time
    30 minutes
  • Active time plus cooling
    plus marinating
  • Rating

Tandoori chicken traditionally is marinated for hours in yogurt and fragrant spices before it is cooked in a tandoor oven. Our weeknight-friendly, tandoori-inspired kebabs feature an easy marinade of yogurt, paprika, garam masala, cayenne and a few other aromatics. Just whirl everything in a blender, then combine with chunks of chicken. If you have time, marinate the chicken overnight, though even 30 minutes will go a long way to boost flavor and tenderize the meat. The marinade also helps the kebabs brown beautifully under the broiler. Serve with warm naan or basmati rice.

Ingredients
  • 1

    cup plain whole-milk yogurt OR ¾ cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt thinned with 3 tablespoons water

  • 4

    medium garlic cloves, smashed and peeled

  • 1

    medium red OR yellow onion, half roughly chopped, half thinly sliced, reserved separately

  • 1

    1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped

  • 2

    tablespoons grapeseed or other neutral oil

  • 1

    tablespoon sweet paprika

  • 1 ½

    teaspoons garam masala

  • ½

    teaspoon cayenne pepper OR ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric OR both

  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper

  • 2

    pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts OR thighs, trimmed and cut into 1½-inch pieces

  • Optional garnish: Chopped fresh cilantro OR chutney OR sliced tomatoes OR lemon wedges OR a combination

Step 1

In a blender, combine half the yogurt, the garlic, chopped onion, ginger, oil, paprika, garam masala, cayenne, 1¼ teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Puree until smooth, about 1 minute, scraping the jar as needed. Transfer 2 tablespoons of the puree to a small bowl and stir in the remaining yogurt. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Scrape the remaining puree into a medium bowl, add the chicken and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.

Step 2

Heat the broiler with a rack about 4 inches from the element. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, set a wire rack in the baking sheet and mist it with cooking spray. Thread the chicken onto 4 to 6 metal skewers, scraping off excess marinade, and place on the prepared rack.

Step 3

Broil until charred on the surface, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, flip the skewers and continue to broil until well charred on the second sides and the chicken is just cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes. Serve the skewers with the yogurt sauce and sliced onion.

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