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This oven baked Tandoori Hen is juicy, smoky, and stuffed with daring Indian taste—no tandoor wanted. Marinated in Greek yogurt, garlic, and spices, then broiled for that signature charred edge. Simple, satisfying, and higher than Indian buffets.


Genuine Tandoori Hen Recipe
Tandoori hen is my favourite factor to load up on at Indian buffets. How can anybody resist a variety of juicy Tandoori hen, wealthy Hen Tikka Masala, creamy Butter Hen, Naan, Samosa, and extra? However truthfully, you don’t want a tandoor—or a buffet line—to take pleasure in it at dwelling. This simple oven baked model provides you all of the daring, smoky flavors utilizing simply your common oven. The hen is marinated in Greek yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, and lime juice, then baked till tender with a fast broil on the finish for that impossible to resist charred end.
I normally make this on busy weeknights or after I’m internet hosting pals—it’s tremendous easy however tastes such as you spent hours. I keep on with bone-in hen legs as a result of they keep further juicy and take in the marinade completely. Serve it with fluffy rice or heat naan, and don’t overlook lime wedges on the facet. When you strive it, you’ll skip the takeout (and the buffet)—this one’s too good to not make once more. Need that smoky out of doors taste? You’ll be able to completely grill it too—scroll down for ideas and alternate cooking strategies!
Tandoor-Fashion Hen With out The Tandoor


Tandoor cooking is what provides tandoori hen its signature smoky taste and charred edges. A tandoor is a standard clay oven used throughout India and the Center East, and it will get actually scorching—like 900°F scorching. Meats are marinated in yogurt and spices, then skewered and cooked vertically contained in the tandoor, the place the extreme warmth sears the surface whereas retaining the within juicy.
You gained’t get the very same consequence and not using a tandoor, however the excellent news is you possibly can nonetheless get actually shut at dwelling. A scorching oven with a wire rack, a broiler, or a grill can mimic that dry, high-heat cooking. That’s how I make mine, and it seems tender and flavorful each time—no particular gear wanted.
Components You’ll Want


- Hen legs – You may also use hen thighs for this recipe. Wish to swap it up with seafood? Try my Tandoori Shrimp recipe!
- Greek yogurt
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Garam masala
Scroll all the way down to the recipe card for all the precise measurements and particulars.
Professional Tip #1: Why I Use Hen Legs
Bone-in hen legs keep juicy and flavorful, and so they maintain up very well to the daring marinade. They’re additionally tremendous reasonably priced and excellent for absorbing all that spice.
Professional Tip #2: Greek Yogurt vs. Plain Yogurt vs. Bitter Cream
I exploit Greek yogurt on this recipe as a result of it’s thick, tangy, and full of enzymes that assist tenderize the hen whereas including nice taste. Plain yogurt works too—simply ensure it’s not too runny or the marinade gained’t stick as nicely. Bitter cream is an okay swap in a pinch, but it surely’s a bit richer and fewer tangy, so the flavour may be barely totally different.
Professional Tip #3: Garlic + Ginger = Huge Taste
Freshly minced garlic and ginger are the spine of tandoori marinade. They convey heat, spice, and depth that bottled stuff simply can’t match. Don’t skip them!
Professional Tip #4: The Cayenne Kick
Cayenne provides you that light warmth tandoori hen is understood for. I exploit simply sufficient to heat issues up with out setting your mouth on hearth. Modify it to your spice stage!
Professional Tip #5: Non-obligatory However Fairly—Crimson Coloring
Crimson coloring is completely non-compulsory, but it surely provides that basic tandoori look you already know from eating places and buffets. You’ll be able to skip it if you happen to choose a extra pure look.
How To Make Tandoori Hen


Give the hen a fast rinse if wanted, then pat it actually dry with paper towels—this helps the marinade stick higher and offers you that good roasted end.


In a big bowl, combine collectively all of the marinade substances till it’s good and clean. Add the hen and actually coat it nicely—get in there and ensure each piece is roofed. Pop it within the fridge and let it marinate for a minimum of 2 hours, however if you happen to’ve received the time, 4 hours makes it even higher.


Preheat your oven to 400°F (207°C). Line a baking sheet with foil for simple cleanup, then place a wire rack on prime. This helps the hen cook dinner evenly and get a little bit crisp on all sides. Prepare the marinated hen on the rack in a single layer—don’t crowd it! Bake for 20 minutes, then flip every bit over and bake for one more 20 minutes so it cooks by means of and stays juicy.


Whereas the hen’s baking, seize a small brush and baste each side with a little bit oil a couple of times—this helps it keep juicy and get that good golden colour. As soon as it’s completed baking, swap your oven to broil and provides it a fast 1-minute blast to get these scrumptious charred edges. Control it so it doesn’t burn! Take it out, squeeze some recent lime excessive, and serve it up whereas it’s scorching.
Different Methods To Cook dinner
Don’t have an oven or simply wish to swap issues up? These cooking strategies nonetheless offer you that daring taste and exquisite char.
- Outside Grill: For that basic smoky tandoori taste, the grill is the place it’s at. Preheat your grill to medium-high and oil the grates. Grill the hen for six–8 minutes per facet, or till properly charred and cooked by means of. Maintain a detailed eye so it doesn’t burn—these spices can darken quick!
- Grill Pan: Need these lovely grill marks with out going exterior? Warmth a grill pan over medium-high warmth and brush it calmly with oil. Cook dinner the hen for about 6–8 minutes per facet, relying on thickness, till cooked by means of and calmly charred.A splatter guard helps lower down on mess and oil splatter—it’s positively value utilizing.
- Air Fryer: The air fryer’s a fantastic possibility in order for you that charred look with out firing up the oven. Place the hen legs in a single layer within the basket, then spoon a number of the leftover marinade on prime. Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes. Flip the hen, baste with a little bit oil, and cook dinner for one more 5 minutes—till it’s golden, barely crisp, and cooked by means of.
Regardless of which technique you select, you’ll nonetheless get juicy, flavorful hen with that signature tandoori kick—simply decide the one that matches your kitchen setup finest.
Often Requested Questions
Sure, you should use boneless hen thighs or breasts, however bear in mind they cook dinner sooner and will not keep as juicy as bone-in legs. Should you’re utilizing boneless cuts, cut back the cooking time and verify for doneness earlier.
Positively. You’ll be able to marinate all the pieces as much as 24 hours upfront, then cook dinner once you’re prepared. Cooked items may also be made a day early and reheated simply earlier than serving.
The hen ought to attain an inner temperature of 75°C (165°F) on the thickest half. It must also be agency to the contact, not pink inside, and juices ought to run clear.
Retailer any leftovers in an hermetic container and maintain them within the fridge for as much as 3–4 days. Let all the pieces cool fully earlier than packing it as much as keep away from extra moisture.
To maintain issues juicy, reheat within the oven at 160°C (325°F) for 10–12 minutes, loosely lined with foil. You may also pop it within the air fryer at 160°C (325°F) for five–6 minutes.
Sure. For finest outcomes, freeze the hen uncooked and marinated in a freezer-safe bag. It lasts as much as 2 months and will get much more flavorful because it sits. Simply thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than cooking. You’ll be able to freeze cooked items too, however uncooked retains the feel juicier.
This recipe is 268 energy per serving.


What To Serve With This Recipe
Serve this dish with an Indian facet dish resembling Mango Chutney. For a healthful Indian buffet-style dinner at dwelling, make the next dishes. If hen tandoori is spicy for you, you possibly can at all times serve it with a glass of creamy and candy Mango Lassi.
I hope you take pleasure in this submit as a lot as I do. Should you strive my recipe, please depart a remark and think about giving it a 5-star ranking. For less difficult and scrumptious recipes, discover my Recipe Index, and keep up to date by subscribing to my publication and following me on Fb, Pinterest, and Instagram for brand spanking new updates.
Different Baked Hen Recipes You May Like


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Clear the hen and pat it dry with paper towels.
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Combine all of the Marinade substances in a bowl and stir to mix nicely. Add the hen to the marinade and let it marinate for a minimum of 2 hours, or ideally 4 hours.
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Preheat the oven to 400°F (207°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on prime. Prepare the hen on the wire rack. Bake for 20 minutes, then flip the hen over and bake for an extra 20 minutes.
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Utilizing a small brush, baste each surfaces of the hen with oil a few instances throughout baking. Broil the hen for 1 minute, or till the pores and skin is barely charred. Take away from the oven and serve instantly with lime wedges.
Serving: 3individuals, Energy: 268kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 18g, Fats: 19g, Saturated Fats: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 4g, Monounsaturated Fats: 9g, Trans Fats: 0.1g, Ldl cholesterol: 82mg, Sodium: 1252mg, Potassium: 224mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 187IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 64mg, Iron: 1mg
Diet data is robotically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.