Authentic Pakistani Tandoori Chicken Recipe With Vegetables
This authentic Pakistani tandoori chicken recipe is stuffed with delicious spices and aromatics. It’s juicy and tender, just like tandoori dishes can be.
About This Authentic Pakistani Tandoori Chicken Recipe
The origin of tandoori chicken has long been debated. But, no one can argue that Pakistan cuisine had no (if not all) influence on how it originated.
Today, we will be making an authentic Pakistani tandoori chicken recipe with vegetables. This recipe can be made in a pan or roasted in the oven. The exact method you choose depends on the type of chicken and the size of the chicken piece you use.
If you are using quarter chickens (or Maryland), then rather opt for the oven-roasted method. But, if you have smaller cuts like boneless chicken breast or drumsticks, pan frying will work great.
We have developed a delicious homemade tandoori marinade for this recipe. It is packed with flavorful spices and traditional masala ingredients.
You can marinate your chicken for as little as 30 minutes. However, for the best results, we recommend at least 4-5 hours. You can even leave the chicken in the marinade overnight!
So, if this hasn’t already made you drool, go give the recipe a try and taste it for yourself!
What You Will Need For This Authentic Pakistani Tandoori Chicken Recipe
Ingredients for the marinade
- 1/2 cup double cream yogurt
- 1/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons ground anardana (pomegranate seeds)
- 1 tablespoon Chaat Masala powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon carom seeds
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Ingredients for the tandoori chicken
- 2 pounds of chicken, any cut that you’d like
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, for frying
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 green chilis, deseeded and chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- 2 green bell peppers, deseeded and sliced
- 2 medium tomatoes
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Sharp knife
- Zip-lock bags or airtight container
- Large frying pan or pot
- Tongs
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make your tandoori chicken marinade
To start, whisk together all of the marinade ingredients. Keep mixing until you have a uniform mixture. The yogurt and oil may take some time to mix well, but don’t stop until they are merged.
Step 2: Marinate your chicken
Make sure your chicken is completely clean and pat it dry.
Then, make incisions across the surface of the chicken, measuring roughly 2-inches in length. The slices don’t have to be as deep as the bone, but they do need to make a noticeable indent.
Next, add the chicken inside a ziplock bag. Add the marinade and seal the bag tightly. Make sure you remove as much air as you can and that the entire piece of chicken is coated.
Once the chicken is prepared in its marinade, you can leave them inside the fridge for 4-5 hours.
Step 3: Cook your chicken
After your chicken has been marinated, it is time to begin cooking it. To start, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Then, add the marinated chicken into the pan and allow it to cook for 7 minutes on each side.
After the first side is finished cooking (while the second side is busy cooking), add the onions, garlic, and ginger. Allow them to cook for 3 minutes. Then, add the remaining vegetables and marinade.
Allow the mixture to cook for another 15 minutes or until the chicken is finished and the marinade is thickened.
Step 4: Serve
Once your authentic Pakistani tandoori chicken recipe has finished cooking, you can remove it from the heat and serve it immediately.
Expert Tips And Tricks
- If you cannot find ground pomegranate seeds, use 1 tablespoon of tamarind paste or 1 tablespoon of amchur powder. if you cannot find either of these, just add 1 tablespoon of lemon or lime juice instead.
- And, if you cannot find carom seeds, have a look at this list of alternative options, Thyme or fennel is arguably the easiest to find.
- If you toast the spices over low heat, their flavors will be a lot more intense. It is a recommended step, but it does add extra time.
- To test the doneness of the chicken, always test the internal temperature. It should be 165ºF (74ºC). Alternatively, cut the thickest part of the chicken piece. It should be completely white (no pink parts) and no red juices should flow out. There should also be no blood.
- The exact cooking time of this authentic Pakistani tandoori chicken recipe will vary depending on the size and part of the chicken you are cooking.
- You can also bake this Pakistani tandoori chicken. Place the marinated chicken along with the remaining ingredients in a roasting pan. Then, bake the chicken for 30-40 minutes at 360ºF (180ºC).
Preparations Times And Servings
Preparation Times | Cooking Times | Servings |
5-6 hours | 30-35 minutes | 4 |
In Conclusion
Give our delicious authentic Pakistani tandoori chicken recipe a try and let us know what you think in the comments below. And, make sure to have a look at our site for some other easy dinner ideas you can try.
FAQs
Is tandoori chicken Pakistani or Indian?
Tandoori chicken is equally popular in both Pakistani and Indian cuisine. And its exact origin is a little confusing. It is said that the creator of tandoori chicken is a man called Kundan Lal Gujral. He fled Pakistan to Punjab, where he eventually opened a restaurant in New Delhi. However, it is also believed that it originated in Persia and Punjab as a whole.
Why is tandoori chicken so dry?
Tandoori chicken has the potential to become dry. However, experts know exactly how to prevent it. If your tandoori chicken did come out dry, it's because you either overcooked it, or you didn't use a basting sauce to help add and seal in the moisture (flavor and juices).
How many types of tandoori marination are there?
There is no limit to the number of tandoori marinades you can use or make. So, there is no specific answer to this question. There isn't even a ballpark number. However, there are three types of marinades in general. This includes acidic-based, enzymatic-based, or oil-based marinades. Each has very different flavors and functions in a different way.
What is tandoori spice made of?
As with all recipes (especially spice mixes), there are a ton of different variations of a single blend. Tandoori masala spice mix usually contains a combination of some or all of the following; coriander, cumin, garlic and ginger powder, mace, cloves, cinnamon, fenugreek, nutmeg, cardamom, and black pepper.
Authentic Pakistani Tandoori Chicken Recipe With Vegetables
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Sharp knife
- Zip-lock bags or airtight container
- Large frying pan or pot
- Tongs
Ingredients
Ingredients for the marinade
- 1/2 cup double cream yogurt
- 1/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons ground anardana (pomegranate seeds)
- 1 tablespoon Chaat Masala powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon carom seeds
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Ingredients for the tandoori chicken
- 2 pounds of chicken, any cut that you'd like
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, for frying
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 green chilis, deseeded and chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- 2 green bell peppers, deseeded and sliced
- 2 medium tomatoes
Instructions
- Make your tandoori chicken marinadeTo start, whisk together all of the marinade ingredients. Keep mixing until you have a uniform mixture. The yogurt and oil may take some time to mix well, but don't stop until they are merged.1/2 cup double cream yogurt, 1/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed, 2 tablespoons ground anardana (pomegranate seeds), 1 tablespoon Chaat Masala powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground allspice, 1 teaspoon carom seeds, 1 teaspoon fine salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Marinate your chickenMake sure your chicken is completely clean and pat it dry.Then, make incisions across the surface of the chicken, measuring roughly 2-inches in length. The slices don't have to be as deep as the bone, but they do need to make a noticeable indent.Next, add the chicken inside a ziplock bag. Add the marinade and seal the bag tightly. Make sure you remove as much air as you can and that the entire piece of chicken is coated.Once the chicken is prepared in its marinade, you can leave them inside the fridge for 4-5 hours.2 pounds of chicken, any cut that you'd like
- Cook your chickenAfter your chicken has been marinated, it is time to begin cooking it. To start, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Then, add the marinated chicken into the pan and allow it to cook for 7 minutes on each side.After the first side is finished cooking (while the second side is busy cooking), add the onions, garlic, and ginger. Allow them to cook for 3 minutes. Then, add the remaining vegetables and marinade.Allow the mixture to cook for another 15 minutes or until the chicken is finished and the marinade is thickened.2 pounds of chicken, any cut that you'd like, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, for frying, 1 large onion, sliced, 2 green chilis, deseeded and chopped, 2 teaspoons garlic paste, 1 teaspoon ginger paste, 2 green bell peppers, deseeded and sliced, 2 medium tomatoes
- ServeOnce your authentic Pakistani tandoori chicken recipe has finished cooking, you can remove it from the heat and serve it immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
My name is Ania, and I am very glad to see you here. I have always loved cooking; even some of my earliest memories are flipping through a cookbook and making pudding standing on a stool because I was too small to reach the stove.
You should know that I am not a professionally trained chef, just a big food lover who grew up in a family obsessed with cooking and focused on what we eat.