Tandoori Chicken (Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters)

Tandoori chicken (also known as Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters) is a popular Indian dish made by marinating chicken in a blend of spices and yogurt, then grilling or baking it to perfection. The dish is named after the traditional clay oven, called a tandoor, in which it is typically cooked. However, instead of baking in a tandoor, we will create the same results in an air fryer.

See our Air Fryer Recipes section for quick and easy meals.

Why You Will Love These Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters (Tandoori Chicken)

• Flavor: Tandoori chicken is bursting with flavor from the blend of spices used in the marinade.
• Once the chicken is set to marinate, all that is left is to let the air fryer roast it to perfection. Your meal is cooked in under 30 minutes.
• Tandoori chicken can be served as a main dish, as part of a larger meal, or even as a snack. It can also be used as a protein in salads or sandwiches.
• Leftover chicken can be dunked in tomato-based sauce to make butter chicken.
• This recipe can also be cooked on charcoal, on a grill, pan-fried, or oven-roasted.
• Air fryer chicken legs are a healthier alternative to fried chicken legs, as they are cooked with little to no oil, which reduces the amount of fat and calories.
• Air fryer chicken legs come out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, creating a delicious texture and flavor.
• Excellent Keto/Low-Carb recipe – good enough to eat every day for a quick protein boost!

Ingredients for Tandoori Chicken Marinade

There are two simple marinades for these Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters.

Marinade #1 – Brining and tenderizing

Salt: Salt is the only ingredient that can penetrate meat thoroughly, seasoning the meat all the way through, not just on the surface. This method of using salt is called dry brining. Salt also helps to retain moisture in the chicken, preventing it from drying out during cooking.

Lemon Juice: Apart from adding a tangy flavor to chicken, the acid in the lemon juice can help to break down the proteins in the chicken, making it more tender and juicy.

Marinade #2 – Adding bursts of flavor and color!

Many restaurants add artificial red color to give their chicken a flaming red or pink hue. Another, more natural way is to use beetroot juice, turmeric, or even some saffron in the marinade. I use the following chili powder in the oil trick, which slightly deepens the color.

Ingredients

Kashmiri Chili: This chili powder is available in Indian stores. It has mild heat and a bright red hue. This is further enhanced by heating it in oil. You can substitute with plain or smoked paprika or cayenne pepper (for more heat).

Cooking Oil: Any neutral-smelling cooking oil or ghee to heat the chili powder. You can skip this step if you do not care much about the color.

Ginger Garlic Paste: Where possible, please use a fresh paste made from ginger root and garlic pods. Bottled pastes do not have the same aroma as freshly made ones.

Greek Yogurt: Traditionally, yogurt is hung in a muslin cloth to drain out the whey, a liquid byproduct. This makes the marinade less wet, and perfect for a dry bake or roast. Greek yogurt is a good substitute for hung yogurt.

Garam Masala: One of the most commonly used spice mixes, Garam Masala is a blend of several spices, including cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, cumin, and coriander. The combination of these spices adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the chicken.

Black Salt/Rock Salt(Optional): Rock salt has a distinctive, slightly earthy flavor. Use regular salt as an option.

Dried Fenugreek Leaves: Also known as Kasuri Methi, fenugreek leaves are a common ingredient in tandoori chicken marinades. Adding fenugreek leaves to the marinade gives it a slightly bitter, nutty flavor that can add depth and complexity.

How to make Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters (Tandoori Chicken)

How to Make Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Leg Quarters

Marinade #1:

1. Remove skin from the leg quarters, and with a sharp knife, cut deep slits on both sides. This will enable the marinades to reach deeper into the meat.

2. Rub salt and lemon juice well on all sides. Leave aside for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Marinade #2:

3. Heat the oil, and add the chili powder to it. Mix well.

4. Add all remaining ingredients. With a fork or a whisk, make a smooth paste.

5. Add the chicken leg quarters to this marinade, and apply to all sides till well coated.

6. Place the leg quarters in the air fryer basket. Space them well, so that they are not sticking to each other.

7. Air fry for 15 minutes at 350°F or 180°C. Brush with melted ghee or butter on both sides and air fry for another 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F to 74°C.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some serving suggestions:

1. With naan (flat bread): Tandoori chicken pairs well with fresh, warm naan.
2. With rice: Serve tandoori chicken with biryani rice or this spiced rice with peas.
3. With chutney: Tandoori chicken can be served with mint chutney, tamarind chutney, or coriander chutney for added flavor and freshness.
4. With yogurt sauce: Mix yogurt with a pinch of salt, pepper, and lemon juice to create a refreshing and cooling sauce for the spicy tandoori chicken.
5. In a salad: Tandoori chicken can be sliced and served with cucumber, onion, and tomato salad for a light and healthy meal.
6. In a wrap: Roll tandoori chicken, lettuce, tomato, and onion in a warm tortilla wrap for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.
7. On skewers: Thread tandoori chicken onto small skewers or toothpicks. These make for a fun and festive appetizer or party food.

Regardless of how you choose to serve tandoori chicken, it is sure to be a crowd-pleaser with its bold and spicy flavors.

Some Useful Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

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Disclaimer:

The Spoonacular API calculates our nutritional values. While we strive to ensure these values are accurate, please verify them independently. All information shared here is for general purposes only. Please consult your doctor to determine if a particular ingredient or dietary approach is suitable for you.