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How to Make Tandoori Chicken Tikka Style Kebabs

Tandoori Chicken Tikka is the perfect way to enjoy chicken kebabs! This simplified version of an Indian recipe doesn't require any hard to find spices, and is easy to whip up and throw on the grill. With a perfect balance of aromatic spices, these delicious kebabs make a wonderful main dish to a healthy, hearty meal
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Keyword chicken kebabs, tandoori chicken
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Marinating time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours
Servings 4

Equipment

  • 1 knife
  • 1 Cutting board
  • 1 large mixing bowl and cover (I use a plate to cover my bowl)
  • 1 mixing utensil
  • 1 fine grater
  • 6-8 wooden or metal skewers
  • 1 dish for soaking skewers
  • 1 grill

Ingredients

  • 1.5-2 lb boneless chicken meat (meat cut from a large whole chicken or boneless half dark and half white meat)
  • 1 inch fresh ginger piece
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice (or lemon juice)
  • 3/4 cup plain yogurt (if using Greek yogurt, use 1/2 cup yogurt and 1/4 cup water)
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teapoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons melted clarified butter or ghee

Instructions

Step One: Make the Marinade

  • Step One: Make the Marinade
  • Grate garlic and ginger into a large mixing bowl to make a ginger-garlic paste Add spices, salt, lime juice, and yogurt. Mix well.
  • Add spices, salt, lime juice, and yogurt. Mix well.

Step Two: Prepare the Pieces of Chicken 

  • Using preferably half breast meat and half dark cut of meat, cut boneless chicken into about 1.5 inch cubes.
  • Add to marinade bowl and combine well with marinade.
  • Cover, place in the refrigerator, and let marinate for 1-24 hours. 

Step Three: Prepare the Tandoori Chicken Tikka Kebab Skewers

  • 30 Minutes prior to cooking, place wooden skewers in filtered water to soak. This will help prevent the wooden skewer from burning off at the ends.
  • Carefully place chicken pieces onto skewers, with chicken pieces touching (not spread out). This will help prevent the meat from drying out.

Step Four: Grill

  • Preheat grill to medium heat or medium high heat
  • For best results, brush each side of chicken kebabs with clarified butter or ghee before placing on grill. This will help prevent the chicken may stick to the wire rack on the grill, plus it will add a delicious butter chicken flavor!
  • Check frequently to ensure chicken is not burning from high temperatures.
  • Grill for about 10-15 minutes, then flip to the other side. Cook for 10-15 minutes more, or until chicken is cooked all the way through. Fully cooked chicken should have a temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step Five: Serve

  • Remove cooked chicken tikka kebabs from grill and place on serving dish.
  • Serve alongside Cucumber Raita with fresh mint, or other other favorite Indian style sauce.
  • Enjoy!