Wednesday, September 3, 2025
HomeCookingAir Fryer Rooster Tikka - Nicky's Kitchen Sanctuary

Air Fryer Rooster Tikka – Nicky’s Kitchen Sanctuary


Air Fryer Rooster Tikka – tender, juicy rooster marinated in a wealthy tikka paste and air fried till golden and completely charred on the edges. I like to complete it off by brushing with easy coriander (cilantro) garlic butter that makes this dish sing!

Close up of Air Fryer Chicken Tikka skewers garnished with chopped cilantro on a plate. Naan bread is visible on a board at the top of the frame.

Nicky’s Recipe Notes

I’ve been making this rooster tikka on repeat over the Summer season. We’ve been consuming in folded flatbreads, as a part of a rice bowl (with raita, tomato & onion salad, cucumber and salad leaves), on prime of a crunchy salad or standing within the doorway of the fridge once I remembered I had some leftovers!
Why this explicit recipe?

  • It’s straightforward to prep forward – the straightforward rooster + marinade can sit within the fridge for twenty-four hours (however a 30-minute marinade will do for those who forgot to do it!)
  • It’s tremendous versatile (see paragraph above for my favourites)
  • The excessive warmth of the air fryer offers the rooster these excellent charred edges – while guaranteeing the rooster nonetheless stays juicy within the center.
  • The coriander (cilantro) garlic butter I brush on on the finish takes the rooster to an entire new degree. You don’t have so as to add it, however I wholeheartedly suggest you do!

📋 Components

Rooster Tikka

A wooden table displays labelled ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Tikka: chicken breast, Greek yoghurt, spray oil, garlic, lemon, ginger paste, and assorted spices.A wooden table displays labelled ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Tikka: chicken breast, Greek yoghurt, spray oil, garlic, lemon, ginger paste, and assorted spices.
  • You possibly can swap the rooster breast items for thigh items for those who desire. The marinade will make sure the rooster stays juicy whichever lower you utilize.
  • Spray oil – I really like this Vilgain Avocado oil (<–aff hyperlink) – it’s offers a pleasant even mist, has no flavour and may stand as much as excessive warmth cooking with out burning. I don’t assume it’s obtainable within the USA, however Chosen Avocado oil (<–aff hyperlink) is the same one which works nice and is extra broadly obtainable.

Coriander (cilantro) Garlic Butter

Ingredients Cilantro Garlic Butter on a wooden table. The ingredients are labelled, these are: a bowl of cubed salted butter, two garlic cloves, a pack of fresh coriander.Ingredients Cilantro Garlic Butter on a wooden table. The ingredients are labelled, these are: a bowl of cubed salted butter, two garlic cloves, a pack of fresh coriander.
  • Use your favorite salted butter or use unsalted and add 3/4 teaspoon of desk salt

Abbreviated recipe directions

**Full recipe with detailed steps within the recipe card on the finish of this submit**

Marinade the rooster for 2-3 hours. Place rooster on skewers, spray with oil and air fry for 14-16 minutes at 210C/410F. Combine the butter and garlic and soften in microwave or pan. Stir in coriander (cilantro). Brush on prime of cooked rooster skewers.

Professional Tip

Regulate the spice degree to your palate. I take advantage of 1/2 tsp gentle chilli powder which provides flavour however just about zero warmth. You possibly can depart it out for those who desire or swap gentle chilli powder for medium or scorching for somewhat extra warmth.

Warning: The additional step of brushing on aromatic coriander-garlic butter will most likely lead to you having to serve it that approach perpetually extra.

A skewer of Chicken Tikka being brushed with cilantro garlic butter. More skewers are blurred in the background.A skewer of Chicken Tikka being brushed with cilantro garlic butter. More skewers are blurred in the background.

Pin this now to search out it later

Pin It

Keep up to date with new recipes!
Subscribe to the publication to listen to once I submit a brand new recipe. I’m additionally on YouTube (new movies each week) and Instagram (behind-the-scenes tales & lovely meals photographs).

  • flat skewers I take advantage of these 20cm size skewers (be certain that they suit your air fryer), you can even use picket skewers, however soak them in water for an hour first.
  • Place the rooster breast items right into a bowl or freezer bag with the yogurt, garlic, ginger, lemon juice, coriander, turmeric, cumin, paprika, chilli powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.

    3 rooster breasts, 120 g (1/2 cup) Greek yogurt, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp minced ginger, juice of half a lemon, 1 tsp floor coriander, ½ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp gentle chilli powder, pinch cinnamon, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper

  • Combine collectively in order that every part is mixed, then cowl and place within the fridge to marinate for 2-3 hours.

  • When you’re utilizing picket skewers, place them in water to soak whereas the rooster is marinating. It will assist to stop them from burning throughout cooking.

  • Take away the marinated rooster from the fridge and thread onto skewers. Alternatively you’ll be able to air fry the rooster items straight within the air fryer, with out putting on skewers.

  • Place the rooster skewers within the air fryer basket in a single layer (it’s possible you’ll have to work in two batches in case your air fryer basket is not sufficiently big). When you’re not utilizing skewers, prepare the rooster within the air fryer basket in a single layer.

  • Spray with the oil and air fry at 210C/410F for 14-16 minutes, turning as soon as, till totally cooked by means of and barely charred on the ends. Be sure the rooster is cooked by slicing it into a bigger piece and guaranteeing it is not pink within the center.

    spray oil

  • Whereas the rooster is cooking, make the coriander garlic butter. Place the butter and garlic in a small saucepan and soften over a low warmth (alternatively soften within the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl with a lid positioned loosely on prime). Warmth till the butter is JUST melted.

    90 g (1/3 cup) salted butter, 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced, 3 tbsp finely chopped coriander (cilantro)

  • Stir the butter, then add the chopped coriander and stir once more. Put to at least one aspect.

  • Take away the cooked rooster from the air fryer and brush on the melted coriander garlic butter, then serve.

Can I make it forward?

You possibly can marinate the rooster as much as a day forward, however I wouldn’t suggest cooking the rooster forward after which reheating later, as this may dry the rooster out.
Nevertheless, you’ll be able to prepare dinner the rooster kebabs, cool them and serve them chilly as a part of a salad or wrap.
Or you’ll be able to prepare dinner, cool then refrigerate or freeze them (remember to totally defrost them within the fridge), and add to curries in order that they received’t check out upon reheating. Add them to your curry and prepare dinner by means of for 10-12 minutes – till piping scorching all through.

Dietary info is per skewer/kebab together with one sixth of the coriander (cilantro) butter. 

Energy: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 21g | Fats: 15g | Saturated Fats: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 4g | Trans Fats: 1g | Ldl cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 404mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g

Vitamin info is robotically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.

🍽️ What to serve it with


You probably have leftovers, the rooster is scrumptious served up chilly on a wrap or salad the following day!

Skewers of Air Fryer Chicken Tikka garnished with fresh cilantro on a plate. Pieces of naan and a green napkin are nearby.Skewers of Air Fryer Chicken Tikka garnished with fresh cilantro on a plate. Pieces of naan and a green napkin are nearby.

? Ceaselessly Requested Questions

Can I make Rooster Tikka forward?

You possibly can marinate the rooster as much as a day forward, however I wouldn’t suggest cooking the rooster forward after which reheating later, as this may dry the rooster out.
Nevertheless, you’ll be able to prepare dinner the rooster kebabs, cool them and serve them chilly as a part of a salad or wrap.
Or you’ll be able to prepare dinner, cool then refrigerate or freeze them (remember to totally defrost them within the fridge), and add to curries in order that they received’t check out upon reheating. Add them to your curry and prepare dinner by means of for 10-12 minutes – till piping scorching all through.

Which skewers match the Ninja Double Stack XL Air Fryer?

I take advantage of these flat steel skewers – they’re 20cm lengthy. I can get 3-4 skewers in a drawer at a time

🍲 Extra Air Fryer Rooster recipes

Among the hyperlinks on this submit could also be affiliate hyperlinks – which suggests for those who purchase the product I get a small fee (at no further value to you). When you do purchase, then thanks! That’s what helps us to maintain Kitchen Sanctuary operating. The dietary info offered is approximate and may range relying on a number of components. For extra info please see our Phrases & Situations.



RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

Recent Comments