One of the most popular Pakistani barbecue dishes is most likely tandoori chicken.I recall those late-summer evenings in Pakistan when all I had for dinner was tender tandoori chicken from Ambala Foods.My sisters and I would wait in the car outside the storefront with the man in his sweaty kurta to watch him effortlessly flip the birds on the grill, usually using tongs but sometimes bare hands.The strong, charred aroma of the hot to-go container, combined with the most fragrant blend of Pakistani spices, instantly makes your mouth water.You almost cry when it hits your nose so hard.
Now that I’m 8000 miles away, I’m trying to recreate the aromas and flavors of those nights back home, when family dinners were always served at the table.I now consume everything at the counter.However, let me tell you that my brother (yes, once more I’m treating my brother’s word like it’s the holy word) said that I outdid myself with the roast because I come so close to restaurant-quality tandoori chicken!I also don’t waste time starting a grill because I make it in the oven (though I would if I had one).I give this Roasted Chicken that smoky punch that we know a decent baked chicken unquestionable necessity by setting a lit charcoal in the focal point of huge skillet, encompassing it with the stove heated chicken, lastly “blessing” that coal with some vegetable oil.The magic takes place here.The smoke that forms will enter the chicken as soon as the trickle of oil touches the charred coal.Therefore, close the lid and allow the smoke to penetrate the chicken and flavor it.The combination of my Seekh Kebab and this Tandoori chicken is unbeatable!
Tandoori Chicken Recipe: Make the best smoky tandoori chicken in the comfort of your own kitchen!
Ingredients: 4-6 Chicken Leg Quarters Tandoori Chicken Marinade: 3 teaspoons red chilli powder, 4 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons coriander powder, 2 teaspoons cumin powder, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons chickpea/gram flour, 2 teaspoons ginger and garlic paste, 1/4 cup yogurt, 4 teaspoons lemon juice, or aboutjuice from half a lemon for the smoker Instructions: Wash the chicken thoroughly and thoroughly dry it on a paper towel.Cut the surface of the chicken at an angle with a knife.
Combine everything in the marinade.The chicken should be rubbed with the marinade, working it into the slits.
The chicken should be covered with foil and allowed to marinate for at least four hours (preferably overnight).
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit when you are ready to bake. Line a baking tray with foil and lightly oil it.Bake the chicken for 15 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit with its face up on the foil.After that, reduce the temperature to 400 degrees and allow the chicken to bake for an additional 30 minutes, flipping it once during this time.Because the oven produces a lot of steam, unlike the open grill, where the chicken does not steam, you won’t need to brush it with oil at this point. Instead, the chicken will cook in its own juices.In essence, we are waiting for the liquid to completely evaporate.)
Place the grill on the top rack and turn on the broiler to get the charred texture.The chicken should broil for about 10 to 15 minutes, flipping once.Put the grill on the top rack of your oven and raise the temperature to the highest setting if you don’t have a broiler.Brush the chicken with a little oil if necessary as it starts to crisp up at this point.Despite the fact that it’s somewhat risky, yet I attempt to hold up the chicken to the fire of the broiler to get the dark spots on the chicken yet don’t do this please!)
The whole baking process takes about 60 minutes.
The chicken is smoked as the final step.Light some charcoal on the stove for this.Wrap the lit coal in a sheet of foil.
The foil should now be placed in the middle of a large pan.Place the quarters of the chicken leg carefully around the coal.
After that, pour a small amount of oil—about 2 to 3 tablespoons—directly on top of the burning coal.
The smoke would immediately dissipate.The chicken should smoke for 5 to 10 minutes after the lid is put on.Smoking the chicken is all you are doing, you are not even using the stove.
Serve hot with my mint and coriander raita!
Notes: Based on my newly revived taste buds, the measurement of the ingredients has been changed from the original.
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