Chicken Tikka

Get ready to explore the amazing tastes of India with this super yummy homemade chicken tikka recipe! You can make this delicious dish right in your own kitchen and feel like you're in a restaurant. This recipe is so easy that anyone can do it. You'll end up with a plate full of incredibly tasty chicken tikka that's juicy and full of flavor, just like the one you love from your favorite Indian restaurant.

Today, I want to share an easy chicken tikka recipe that doesn't require a tandoor, skewer, or red food coloring. I'll be listing the ingredients, providing a step-by-step cooking process, and sharing tips and tricks for achieving mouthwatering homemade chicken tikka.

This restaurant-style chicken tikka is infused with a homemade marinade rich in garam masala flavor. The marinade, which includes yogurt and lemon, adds flavor to the chicken thighs while making them tender. You're going to love this recipe.

Serve this tasty chicken tikka with Indian basmati rice or saffron rice for a delicious meal.

Jump to:

• What is Tikka
• Ingredients
• Step-By-Step Cooking Process for Chicken Tikka
• Variations and Substitutions
• Recipe Tips
• Storing
• Reheating
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

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What is Tikka

"Tikka" is a term that brings the rich flavors of Indian cuisine to life. In Indian cooking, "tikka" refers to small pieces of meat, often chicken or paneer (Indian cheese), that are marinated in a blend of aromatic spices, yogurt, and other flavorful ingredients.

These marinated pieces are then typically skewered and cooked, traditionally in a tandoor (clay oven) to achieve a charred and smoky exterior. The result is a mouthwatering dish known for its vibrant taste and tender texture.

In this recipe, you'll use whole chicken legs instead of chicken pieces. That's why you won't need to use the skewers.

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Ingredients

Here's a list of ingredients you'll need to make chicken tikka, along with explanations of why each ingredient is important:

• Chicken Leg Quarters: This cut of chicken includes both the thigh and drumstick portions of the leg. It's a relatively inexpensive and tasty part of the chicken that contains dark meat. Chicken leg quarters are flavorful and juicy, perfect for absorbing the marinade and becoming tender when cooked.
• Yogurt: Yogurt is used to make the marinade. It adds a creamy texture and tangy flavor, making the chicken tender and enhancing the taste.
• Lemon Juice: Lemon juice not only adds a zesty kick but also helps to tenderize the chicken and balance the flavors of the marinade.

• Spices (Cumin, Coriander, Turmeric, Chili Powder, Garam Masala): These spices bring magic to the dish. They create the unique, aromatic flavors that make chicken tikka so special.
• Garlic and Ginger Paste: These pastes add a wonderful depth of flavor to the marinade, making the chicken incredibly tasty.
• Salt and Pepper: These basic seasonings enhance the overall taste of the dish and help the other flavors shine.
• Vegetable Oil: Oil in the marinade helps to keep the chicken moist during cooking and prevents it from sticking to the pan.

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Step-By-Step Cooking Process for Chicken Tikka

Below, you'll find simple steps to make chicken tikka at home.

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade.

This marinade tenderizes and gives fantastic flavor to chicken legs.

• In a food processor, combine yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, turmeric, minced garlic, minced ginger, garam masala, coriander, red chili powder, salt, black pepper, and oil. Puree until smooth.

Step 2: Add the Chicken.

• Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels.
• Place the chicken legs in a large bowl or zip-lock bag and add the marinade.
• Massage the marinade onto the chicken legs, making sure they're well coated.
• Allow the chicken legs to sit in the marinade for at least 8 hours or up to 48 hours to soak up all those wonderful flavors.

Step 3: Cooking Time.

You can cook the marinated chicken using various methods: on a grill, in an air fryer, in an oven, or even on a stovetop. Each method offers a slightly different taste, but they all make the chicken tender and delicious.

• In an air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F and cook the marinated chicken legs for about 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• In the oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the marinated chicken legs onto a prepared sheet pan. Bake the chicken legs, uncovered, for about 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• On the grill: Preheat the grill to 450°F. Brush the grill pan with oil and place the chicken legs on the grill. Close the grill hood and flip the chicken legs every 5 minutes. Cook for 40 minutes or until fully cooked.

Step 4: Enjoy! Once the chicken is fully cooked, you're ready to relish your homemade chicken tikka. Serve it with rice, naan, or your favorite sides.

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Variations and Substitutions

• Chicken Leg Quarters. If you can't find whole leg quarters, you can simply use a combination of drumsticks and thighs.
• Indian Chili Powder: If you don't have Indian chili powder or Kashmiri chili powder, you can replace it with a blend of smoked paprika and cayenne powder. For example, if the recipe calls for two teaspoons of Indian chili powder, you can mix 1 ½ teaspoons of smoked paprika with ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
• Yogurt and Lemon Juice. If you find that your yogurt is too sour, you can decrease the quantity of lemon juice used in the marinade.

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Recipe Tips

Here are tips for making the best chicken tikka:

• Resting Time: Always allow the meat to rest for 15-30 minutes before cooking. This helps make the meat juicier and more tender when it's cooked.
• Marinating Time: For the best flavor, consider marinating the chicken legs for up to 48 hours. This longer marination time can really enhance the taste.
• Adjusting Spiciness: If you're not a fan of spicy food, use less red chili powder in the marinade. You can tailor the spice level to your liking.
• Save Money: To save money on ingredients, purchase the spices needed to make the marinade from the bulk section and buy only the amount required for this recipe

By following these tips, you'll ensure your chicken tikka turns out incredibly flavorful and just the way you want it!

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Storing

1. Allow it to cool: Let the chicken tikka cool to room temperature before storing it. Leaving it out for an extended period can promote bacterial growth. You can find more info about it here.

2. Use airtight containers: Transfer the chicken tikka to airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. Make sure the containers are clean and dry before use.

3. Label and date: It's a good practice to label the containers with the date of storage so you can keep track of how long it's been in the fridge.

4. Refrigeration: Store the chicken tikka in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking. Place it in the coldest part of your fridge, typically on a shelf rather than in the door.

5. Consume within 3-4 days: Leftover chicken tikka should be consumed within 3-4 days when stored in the refrigerator. After this time, it may start to lose its quality and freshness.

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Reheating

You can use a microwave or oven to reheat the chicken tikka until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it's safe to eat.

Here's how to reheat leftover chicken legs in the oven (preferred method):

Step 1: Remove the chicken from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature for about 15 minutes.

Step 2: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 3: Place a wire rack over a baking sheet and arrange the chicken pieces on top in a single layer.

Step 4: Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

These steps should help you reheat your leftover chicken legs while maintaining their deliciousness.

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Check Out More Tasty Chicken Recipes

• Oven-Baked Rosemary Chicken Thighs
• Smoked Paprika Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
• Roasted Half Chicken
• Crispy Grilled Chicken Wings

I hope you'll enjoy this recipe and share it with friends! If you try it and don’t mind, please leave me a comment and/or give this recipe a rating. Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly recipes and follow me on Pinterest.

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