I posted a few pictures of the recipes I have lined up on facebook and asked the wonderful fans to choose which recipe they would like to see next on the blog. The results were a close call between Tandoori chicken and aromatherapy bread 
.
There was a time when the mere mention of indian food would have sent me running in the opposite direction but not any more. Ever since I started blogging and following other wonderful food bloggers I have discovered that indian food is not the greasy,” pass on the water my mouth is burning” hot and spicy food. It is a cuisine full of amazing recipes to explore and enjoy. I decided to be courageous and try a few recipes which have turned out to be pleasant surprises.
Tandoori chicken was one of those experiments that turned into a regular in my rotation of recipes.This time I served it with some raita salad and naan bread that vanished before I could take a picture of it. You can also serve tandoori chicken with some cabbage vegetable rice or appam instead of the naan.
Before we get to the recipe, just wanted to remind you that you have until tomorrow to enter the giveaway
Grilled Tandoori chicken
1 whole chicken cut into 8 pieces, skin removed
For the marinade
1/2 cup greek yogurt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon salt
1 table spoon garam masala
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (if you like it hot)
Garam masala spices mix
(recipe adapted from Kankans’a wonderful sunshine and smile blog)
1/2 tablespoon ground coriander
1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground bay leaves
1 tablespoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon ground fennel seeds
Directions
Prepare the garam masala by mixing all the spices until combined.
Mix all the marinade ingredients in a bowl then add the chicken and marinate for 3 hours or over night in the fridge
Grill the chicken, pasting regularly with the reserved marinade until it is done.
If you are making Tandoori chicken in the oven
Heat a little oil in a pot and sear the chicken pieces until golden brown on both sides.
Finish cooking the tandoori chicken in a preheated oven (200 C) until the chicken is done (You can tell by inserting a knife in the chicken and the juices run clear)
Just A Smidgen
/ September 19, 2011How did I miss this recipe? I was looking for something to make tonight and this will be it. Thanks!
thefooddoctor
/ September 19, 2011I can’t wait to hear what you think of it
Eva
/ September 6, 2011I love making my own garam masala mix, I do it in batches so I have it to add a pinch to this or that! The chicken looks delicious!
thefooddoctor
/ September 6, 2011Thank you Eva..I love homew made spice mixes..they are so muh better than anything you can buy
Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide
/ August 27, 2011Argh, am traveling and haven’t cooked in a whole week. I want to make these now and am in a hotel! They have a grill out back surely they wouldn’t mind if I fired it up.
thefooddoctor
/ August 28, 2011I hope you guys will have a safe trip and I’, sure they won’t mind if you fire up the grill…they may just offer you the chef’s position
ambrosiana
/ August 27, 2011That chicken is so deliciuos. I just love the fact that you put yogurt in the marinade sincve it not only adds flavour, but it makes the meat more tender. The grilling is just fantastic!
thefooddoctor
/ August 28, 2011Thank you
I love using yogurt in marinades..it adds a lot to the recipe
Nami | Just One Cookbook
/ August 26, 2011I LOOOOVE Tandori chicken! I also thought Indian food was spicy food too before I met my good Indian friend who cooks for me once in a while. My kids love her Tandori chicken and ever since I’ve been trying a lot of Tandori recipes. I’m going to keep this and try next time! You totally make everyone crave for this delicious chicken!!! I’m drooling already!
thefooddoctor
/ August 26, 2011I can’t wait to hear what you think of it when you do try it Nami
and you know I surprised that the kids loved it..I thought it would be too spicy for them
sportsglutton
/ August 26, 2011Sometimes there simply isn’t anything better than tandoori chicken with fresh naan and raita.
thefooddoctor
/ August 26, 2011exactly..some times you need a meal that is loaded with flavor to refresh your day
JamieAnne
/ August 26, 2011Yum! This looks wonderful!
thefooddoctor
/ August 27, 2011Thank you so much
Tandy
/ August 26, 2011Both of these recipes are top favourites for me! Had I chosen, it would have been the aromatherapy bread
thefooddoctor
/ August 27, 2011I promise the aromatherapy bread is coming very soon
Christine @knapkins_com
/ August 26, 2011Sawsan,
Awesome dish. It looks so delicious. I’m a sucker for anything with citrus on it. Bravo on an awesome recipe. Just wanted to let you know that we have included this photo in our food duels. Keep the delicious recipes coming!!
Cheers
Christine
PS: is it “garam masala” versus “gram masala”?
PS: Looks like you may have listed cumin twice
thefooddoctor
/ August 27, 2011Thank you Christine for your kind words and for catching the double ingredients and the spelling
I really appreciate you including my photos in the food duos..thank you so much
Eva Taylor
/ August 26, 2011I love ‘happy food’ (Indian). I make my own gram masala too! I’d forgotten how yummy tandoori chicken can be. Great photos!
thefooddoctor
/ August 27, 2011Thank you Eva..it is really happy food..it lifts your mood
Kristy
/ August 26, 2011I have this on our list to make! Glad to hear you enjoyed it. And I’m with you, it’s amazing the types of food that blogging opens you up to – for me it was Chinese food.
thefooddoctor
/ August 27, 2011I have my eye on your Japanese journey to try next…I really love this part about blogging
Maris (in Good Taste)
/ August 26, 2011I can see why this is a regular. It looks really good!
thefooddoctor
/ August 27, 2011Thank you kindly Maris
The Culinary Lens
/ August 26, 2011I love Tandoori chicken. You are so right about exploring the many facets of Indian cuisine and I enjoy exploring them
thefooddoctor
/ August 27, 2011Isn’t that the best part about food blogging..you get to explore and love recipes you would have never tried before
Caroline
/ August 26, 2011My vote would have gone to this tandoori chicken too, it sounds fabulous!! Great photos too…as always.
thefooddoctor
/ August 27, 2011Thank you kindly Caroline..you are too kind..I can’t tell you how much your comments mean to me
ceciliag
/ August 25, 2011I absolutely LOVE tandoori chicken, I will try this one for sure.. and very pretty pics too c
thefooddoctor
/ August 27, 2011Thank you kindly Cecilia
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
/ August 25, 2011I have never tried Tandoori chicken before, but it looks awesome! Love the home made garam masala!
thefooddoctor
/ August 25, 2011Erin it is really worth trying..and if you don’t like it hot skip the cayenne
chicaandaluza
/ August 25, 2011…addicted of course…not addciated. Was overcome with excitement re the tandoori chicken!
thefooddoctor
/ August 25, 2011hehehe you are so sweet
chicaandaluza
/ August 25, 2011I´d have voted for the chicken too as am totally addciated to anything curry flavoured. And it looks amazing! Mind you, am now intrigued by the concept of aromatherapy bread…do we get to see that one too soon?
thefooddoctor
/ August 25, 2011The bread is coming very soon..probably saturday or sunday
thecompletecookbook
/ August 25, 2011Tandoori chicken has so many wonderful flavours. Yours looks fabulous.
Mandy
Have a happy weekend.
thefooddoctor
/ August 25, 2011Thank you Mandy..hope you’ll have an amazing weekend too
Mia's Domain
/ August 25, 2011Another winner!! Loving all your great chicken dishes. xx
thefooddoctor
/ August 25, 2011Thank you Mia..
wok with ray
/ August 25, 2011Sawsan, this is what I call effective-beautiful shot of food because as soon as I saw it, my stomach suddenly felt hunger and craving for chicken. Good job!
~ ray ~
thefooddoctor
/ August 25, 2011I really appreciate it