Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken

Are you a fan of delicious and flavorful chicken dishes? Do you love experimenting with new cooking techniques and kitchen gadgets?

If so, then you are in for a treat with this air fryer tandoori chicken recipe.

This dish is bursting with bold spices and tangy yogurt, and it’s cooked to perfection in an air fryer.

air fryer tandoori chicken

The result is crispy and juicy chicken that’s packed with flavor, without any of the guilt that comes with deep-frying.

Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is easy to follow and sure to impress your taste buds.

So, what are you waiting for? try this recipe today and enjoy!

Why You Should Try This Recipe

Easy to Make: This chicken tandoori air fryer recipe is so easy to make, even for novice cooks. With just a few simple steps, you can have restaurant-quality tandoori chicken in no time.

Packed with Flavor: This recipe is packed with bold and delicious flavors, thanks to the combination of spices, yogurt, and lemon juice. Every bite is a burst of deliciousness!

tandoori chicken air fryer

Perfectly Cooked Chicken: Cooking chicken in an air fryer is a foolproof way to ensure that it’s perfectly cooked every time. The hot air circulates around the chicken, ensuring even cooking and a crispy exterior.

👨‍🍳 Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Ingredients

To make tandoori chicken in air fryer you will need:

  • 6 Chicken Drumsticks
  • 1/3 cup Yogurt (I used Greek yogurt)
  • 3/4 tablespoon Garlic Paste
  • 3/4 tablespoon Ginger Paste
  • 3/4 teaspoon Garam Masala
  • 1 tablespoon Red Chili Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Turmeric
  • 3/4 tablespoon Dried Fenugreek Leaves
  • 1 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice

✨ Tandoori Chicken Air Fryer Recipe

Follow this easy chicken tandoori air fryer recipe:

Step 1

Remove the skin from the chicken drumsticks. Then, using a knife- make 4-5 slits across the thick parts of the drumsticks.

Step 2

Add the following ingredients to a large mixing bowl: yogurt, garlic, ginger, turmeric, garam masala, lemon juice, red chili powder, dried fenugreek leaves (crushed), and salt.

Step 3

Place the chicken in the marinade and let it soak for at least 30 minutes.

Step 4

Preheat your air fryer to 350F and spray the basket with cooking oil. Once hot, place the chicken inside and air fry for 13-15 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through cooking.

That’s it! Enjoy this delicious air fryer tandoori chicken!

tandoori chicken in air fryer

🟢 More Air Fryer Recipes

If you liked this chicken tandoori in air fryer recipe, make sure to check out these great recipes as well:

💡 Tips

Here are my tips for making the best air fried tandoori chicken:

1. Add Some Vegetables

If you want to make this tandoori chicken air fryer even healthier, you can add some vegetables to the air fryer basket alongside the chicken.

Vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and zucchini work well with the tandoori flavors and will cook at the same temperature and time as the chicken.

This is a great way to add some extra nutrition and flavor to your meal.

2. Serve With Fresh Herbs And Dips

To take this tandoori chicken in air fryer recipe to the next level, you can serve it with some fresh herbs and dips.

Chopped cilantro or parsley add a bright pop of flavor and color to the dish, while mint or basil can add a refreshing note.

tandoori with dip

You can also serve the chicken with some raita (a yogurt-based dip) or chutney (a sweet or savory sauce) for dipping or drizzling.

3. Don’t Overcrowd The Air Fryer Basket

When cooking in an air fryer, it’s important not to overcrowd the basket. This can lead to uneven cooking and can result in some parts of the food being overcooked while others are undercooked.

For this tandoori chicken recipe, make sure to leave some space between the drumsticks in the basket so that the hot air can circulate evenly around them.

You may need to cook the chicken in two batches if your air fryer is small.

4. Marinate The Chicken For Longer

While 30 minutes is the minimum recommended time to marinate the chicken in this air fryer tandoori chicken recipe, you can also marinate the chicken for longer for even deeper flavors.

tandoori after marinated and air fried

You can marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours in the fridge. This will give the chicken more time to absorb the spices and yogurt, resulting in a more flavorful and tender chicken.

5. Use A Meat Thermometer

To ensure that your tandoori chicken is cooked all the way through, it’s a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165F (74°C) to be safe to eat. This is especially important if you’re using bone-in chicken as it can be harder to tell when it’s fully cooked.

6. Let the Chicken Rest Before Serving

After you air fry tandoori chicken, it’s important to let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and helps to keep the chicken moist and tender. Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.

✔️ Variations

Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Skewers: Instead of using chicken drumsticks, you can cut boneless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and thread them onto skewers.

Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Wings: Use chicken wings instead of drumsticks, and adjust the cooking time accordingly (around 10-12 minutes).

Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Salad: Serve the tandoori chicken on top of a bed of mixed greens with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions. Drizzle with a yogurt-based dressing.

Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Wrap: Fill a whole wheat tortilla with tandoori chicken, lettuce, tomato, and cucumber, and add a dollop of raita or chutney for a delicious and healthy wrap.

Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Burger: Make a juicy chicken burger by grilling or air frying a chicken patty made with ground chicken and tandoori spices. Serve with your favorite toppings.

Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Pizza: Top a pre-made pizza crust with tandoori chicken, sliced onions, and bell peppers, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake in the oven or air fryer until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Naan: Toast a piece of naan bread and top it with tandoori chicken, sliced onions, and a dollop of raita or chutney for a delicious and easy lunch or snack.

↩️ Ingredient Substitutions

Chicken drumsticks: You can use chicken thighs or chicken breast instead of drumsticks.

Greek yogurt: You can use regular plain yogurt or sour cream instead of Greek yogurt.

Garlic paste and ginger paste: You can use freshly grated garlic and ginger instead of the pastes.

air fried tandoori chicken

Garam masala: You can make your own garam masala blend with ground cumin, coriander, cardamom, black pepper, and cinnamon, or you could use curry powder as a substitute.

Red chili powder: You can use cayenne pepper or paprika instead of red chili powder.

Dried fenugreek leaves: You can use dried or fresh cilantro instead of fenugreek leaves.

Fresh lemon juice: You can use lime juice or white vinegar instead of lemon juice.

👪 FAQ

Can I use boneless chicken breasts for this recipe?

Yes, you can use boneless chicken breasts instead of drumsticks. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and marinate for at least 30 minutes before air frying.

Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?

Yes, you can use regular plain yogurt or sour cream instead of Greek yogurt.

How long should I marinate the chicken?

For best results, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but you can marinate it for up to 24 hours for deeper flavors.


I hope you liked my air fryer tandoori chicken recipe. I like this dish so much, it’s easy to make and tastes delicious!

tandoori chicken

The key to making this dish is marinating the chicken in yogurt, garlic, and spices. This will help infuse all of the flavors into the chicken.

If you have any questions about this tandoori chicken air fryer recipe- feel free to comment below. Make sure to check out other air fryer recipes on my website.

air fryer tandoori chicken

Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken

Easily make the best air fryer tandoori chicken with this simple recipe. This delicious dish will be a hit at any gathering.
4.73 from 11 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: air fried tandoori chicken, air fryer tandoori chicken, tandoori chicken in air fryer
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 170kcal
Cost: $15
Ingredients
  • 6 Chicken Drumsticks
  • 1/3 cup Yogurt (I used Greek yogurt)
  • 3/4 tablespoon Garlic Paste
  • 3/4 tablespoon Ginger Paste
  • 3/4 teaspoon Garam Masala
  • 1 tablespoon Red Chili Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Turmeric
  • 3/4 tablespoon Dried Fenugreek Leaves
  • 1 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
Instructions
  • Remove the skin from the chicken drumsticks. Then, using a knife- make 4-5 slits across the thick parts of the drumsticks.
  • Add these ingredients to a large mixing bowl: yogurt, garlic, ginger, turmeric, garam masala, lemon juice, red chili powder, dried fenugreek leaves (crushed), and salt.
  • Place the chicken in the marinade and let it soak for at least 30 minutes.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 350F and spray the basket with cooking oil. Once hot, place the chicken inside and air fry for 13-15 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through cooking.
    Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcal
4.73 from 11 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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