Get crispy golden buttermilk fried chicken in your air fryer! This quick and easy air-fried chicken is tender, juicy, and delicious. If you have a craving and want to skip some fat try this way


I'm excited to share my modern and simple air fryer tandoori chicken recipe. These spicy chicken thighs are very juicy and have a nice crispy char on the outside that seals all the flavors. The best part is that they are just needed in an air fryer Cooks in 15 minutes – less than half the time required for a conventional oven. Chicken thighs are marinated with hot spices and creamy yogurt, just like a classic dish. But you won't believe how quick and easy it is to make this favorite Indian dish in an air fryer, with the same authentic flavor and with a much less effort.

Tandoori chicken drumsticks are perfect for family dinners or as a main dish for parties and gatherings. Chicken thighs are cheap and harder to overcook, so they're a good choice for large parties. Believe me, just looking at the plates full of spiced tandoori chicken will make everyone hungry just by smelling the aroma of the room full of them first.

What Is Tandoori Chicken?

Tandoori is a style of cooking from the Indian subcontinent that refers to cooking food in a clay oven, also known as Tandoor. Most traditional tandoori chicken is marinated in yogurt and vibrant spices before being grilled in a clay oven. Since most of us don't have a clay oven, we can replicate cooking methods in other ways using our own kitchen utensils. I love making tandoori chicken in an instant pot. This recipe will show you how to make the perfect tandoori chicken in an air fryer. No air fryer or instant pan? Make tandoori chicken in your oven!

Ingredients tips

Here are some extra tips about the ingredients I use. 

Ginger paste and garlic paste: Do not substitute ginger powder or garlic powder. See how to make homemade ginger and garlic sauce.

Red Hot Chili Powder: I use Kashmiri Red Hot Chili Powder. You can use any mild paprika or paprika. If you want it to have more heat, you can use a spicier paprika or paprika. 

Garam Masala: Homemade garam masala is used as it brings out the authentic flavor 

Yogurt: Use plain, full-fat yogurt for marinade. If you are lactose intolerant, you can replace it with dairy-free yogurt,

Tandoori Chicken Tips

Here are the best tips for making the most delicious tandoori chicken

 drumsticks: Pat the chicken thighs dry to avoid excess liquid in the marinade Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour, but it is best to marinate overnight, or for up to 24 hours Discard any leftover marinade or brush it over the chicken before cooking

How To Make Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken

Here's how to make tandoori drumsticks in an air fryer: 

  • Place the drumsticks in a mixing bowl. 
  • Pat them dry with a paper towel and remove the skin. Cut about 3-4 slits in the thicker part of each drumstick.
  • Add yogurt, ginger, garlic, paprika, turmeric, Indian curry and salt. 
  • Place the dried fenugreek leaf on the palm of your hand and gently rub your hands. 
  • Add it to the chicken thighs. Add the lemon juice, mix everything together and coat the chicken with a marinade. Let the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes and up to 24 hours .
  • Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  • Gently lubricate the basket with cooking oil. 
  • Place the marinated chicken thighs in a basket and air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
  •  Shake the basket during cooking. After the cooking time is over, check the internal temperature – 165 degrees Fahrenheit is the safe cooking temperature for chicken. 
  • Serve with fresh lemon wedges and coriander mint chutney

How To Serve With Tandoori Chicken

Enjoy a hearty meal with pickled onion and vegetables Biryani. I often pair it with a sweet and rich mango salad or a carnival quinoa salad. For a light, low-calorie meal, serve with a crunchy Indian cucumber salad. I love cooking chicken in an air fryer. If you're looking for more air fryer recipes, try my chili chicken. It's a quick and healthy alternative to traditional deep-fried recipes.

Telling simple way recipe starting to end Most Uses 

  1. Ingredients
  2. Brine
  3. Buttermilk Marinade
  4. Dredge
  5. Timing
  6. Serve

          Ingredients

          • The Best-Ever Fried Chicken
          • 10 chicken thighs/drumsticks
          • Vegetable oil, for frying
          • Hot sauce, to serve
          • Slaw, to serve
          Brine

          • 2 cups water
          • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
          • 1/2 cup salt
          • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
          • 2 teaspoons onion powder
          • Zest of 1 lemon

          Buttermilk Marinade

          • 2 cups buttermilk
          • 2 teaspoons salt
          • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
          • 2 teaspoons mustard powder
          • Freshly ground black pepper

          Dredge

          • 3 cups flour
          • 5 teaspoons cornstarch
          • 1/2 cup dried polenta
          • 2 teaspoons salt
          • 1 teaspoon onion powder
          • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
          • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
          • 1 teaspoon mustard

          Timing

          • Prep Time: 16 hr 30 min
          • Cooking Time: 15 min
          • Servings: 10

          Final Steps

          • Add the chicken pieces to the salted water and leave in the refrigerator for 12 hours.Transfer the chicken to the buttermilk mixture and marinate for 4 to 6 hours.

          • When you think there's no better way to make fried chicken, here's a crunchy recipe that will cheer you up.

          What to Serve

          1. Naan and Minted Cucumber Salad.
          2. Steamed Basmati Rice.
          3. Crunchy Leafy Green Salad.
          4. Cheesy Fried Potatoes.
          5. Crunchy Vegetable Samosas.
          6. Homemade Mango Chutney.
          7. Homemade Creamy Raita.
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