South Indian Tandoori Chicken in Air Fryer

Looking for a different kind of tandoori chicken? Try this delicious South Indian tandoori chicken recipe soon!

This South Indian tandoori chicken recipe can be cooked in your oven, in a tandoor or an air fryer. I decided to cook it in my air fryer because air fryers are the best substitute for a tandoor oven. 

Tandoor ovens can be expensive and are difficult to use if you are new to tandoori cooking. The modern air fryer offers the same intense heat without all the fuss. They also heat up much faster than tandoor ovens which can take over an hour to heat to cooking temperature. 

 

About this recipe.

Inspired by a tandoori chicken recipe I tried in Kerala a few years back, I decided to try this in my air fryer and it worked really well. South Indian ingredients like curry leaves, lime juice and coconut milk give the chicken an amazing flavour that is really unique and different to most tandoori recipes.

You really want to get those flavours into the chicken as they are the star ingredients. Rub them right into the flesh!

Although the South Indian tandoori chicken I tried in Kerala was cooked with skinless chicken, I decided to leave the skin on. You can remove it if you like but the crispy skin is one of the things that I think makes this dish.

How do you cook this recipe without an air fryer?

You just need to cook it at the same temperature which is 180°C/375°F in your oven or if you have and know how to use a tandoor, on a skewer in your tandoor oven.

The cooking time is the same but you can go straight to cooking in an air fryer as they heat up in about a minute. Ovens and tandoors take longer as you have to preheat them before you can start.

How long do you need to marinate the chicken?

I have cooked this South Indian tandoori chicken several times now. For best results, you really want to marinate it for at least 24 hours. There really is a flavour bonus.

That said, if you are in a rush for deliciousness, you can rub the marinade into the chicken and place it in your air fryer for about 50 minutes and it will turn out amazingly well. 

Do you need to follow this recipe exactly?

Not at all. Remember that the main flavours you are trying to get into the meat are the curry leaves, lime juice and coconut milk. The other ingredients add their own flavours but if you have to leave one or two out, you can still make this recipe.

If, however you are planning on marinating the chicken for longer than four hours, you must add the yoghurt.

Yoghurt is not only a natural tenderiser but it helps counter the lime juice that is added. Lime juice is also a tenderiser but if left on too long it will begin to cook the meat and it will become rubbery in texture. Adding yoghurt stops that from happening.

How long can you store South Indian tandoori chicken in the fridge?

Once cooked, you can safely store your leftovers in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Cover the chicken tightly with clingfilm to stop if from drying out.

Then just reheat in your air fryer or if you must in a microwave.

What do you serve with South Indian tandoori chicken?

This is a good one and can be a whole meal by adding a few sides. How about starting with some poppadoms, samosas and a selection of chutneys?

As this is tandoori, you might just like to tear the meat off and serve it wrapped in a hot chapatti. 

Pro Tips.

1. Marinating: Be sure to get both marinades right into the flesh. That's the reason you score the chicken. It give more surface area.
2. Use a Meat Thermometer: If you have a meat thermometer, use it to check the chicken for doneness. I usually take the chicken out just before it hits 74°C/165°F as it continues to cook as it rests after cooking. This will help ensure that the meat is moist and not dry.
3. Allow the Chicken To Rest: Let the chicken rest before carving. This will ensure the meat stays tender and moist. Carve it too early and the delicious juices will end up on your cutting board.

Step by step photographs.

If you like this air fryer South Indian tandoori chicken, you might like to try some of these air fryer recipes too.

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