Monday, July 12, 2010

Tandoori Chicken Fast and Simple


Tandoori chicken is a highly popular Indian dish made of yogurt and Indian spices. It is traditionally cooked at high temperatures in a tandoor (clay oven), and it is still prepared that way in most restaurants in Malaysia. However, it can also be prepared on a traditional grill or for me who does not have a grill yet, I just baked it in the oven.

While in Malaysia, I hardly cooked. Firstly my mom is the cook at home and I avoid being in the kitchen with her cos when I am there I just want it my way. And yeah...mom wants it her way too. So, too many cooks spoils the broth...absolutely.

The other reason, I don't cook as much in Malaysia is that food is just everywhere. People are just eating out all the time and the varieties are amazing. Malaysia has 3 major races - Malay, Chinese and Indian and if you add all other food influences, we are definitely a melting pot of food...literally! If I want tandoori chicken I will just go to a nearby Indian Muslim restaurant (mamak) and there I will have a lovely tandoori chicken freshly prepared for me.



Now, I don't have the luxury of going out and just take out "authentic" Asian food in USA, so when I found a packet of tandoori spices in my kitchen, I was thrilled with the opportunity to make tandoori chicken the fast and simple way.

The tandoori spices are a complex mix of spice with garlic, ginger, cumin, cayenne pepper, coriander, ground cardamon, cloves, black pepper and even turmeric. But for the simple way, just get a ready made tandoori spice pack. And I only the needed the chicken and yogurt.



Simple ingredients :
1. A packet of Tandoori Spices. I used Nestle's Chicken Tandoori Mix.
2. About 1 lb of chicken. I used 3-4 chicken drumstick and 3-4 chicken tenders.
3. 1 Plain yogurt (6oz)
4. One lime - sliced for garnishing
5. One whole onion

Simple steps :
1. Mix tandoori spices with yogurt till well blended. Marinade with chicken for 1 hour.



2. You grill this but since I do not have a grill yet I made a grill out of my oven. To make handling of the chicken easier, I used bamboo skewers on the chicken before transporting it to the oven.



3. Bake at 350F for 30 - 45 minutes.


4. Garnish with Lime and onions. Squeeze lime on chicken before serving for the extra tangy taste.



To make a complete Malaysian style Tandoori meal, I made Nasi Briyani (rice with spices) to accompany my delicious tandoori chicken. Oh yeah, the briyani mix was from a ready made packet too. Now, that's what I call a fast and simple meal :)



15 comments:

MaryMoh said...

I can fully identify with you. I didn't cook too when I was back home in Malaysia recently. Also we ate out a lot. I love tandoori chicken too. It's really good with nan.

Belinda @zomppa said...

My gosh this looks good. I love tandoori but never thought to make it at home.

Big Boys Oven said...

wow this is truly gorgeous! so well grill! never tried making any tandoori but you make it sounds so easy! :)

mysimplefood said...

Hi Mary - Yeah I saw you had a great time in Malaysia. Especially now when I go back to Malaysia, there will be no opportunity to eat at home cos friends and family usually will take turns to take you out to eat.

Belinda - With a premix it is really easy and fast. try it :)

mysimplefood said...

Big Boys Oven - Thanks. I was really pleased with how it turned out too. Now I know I can just make it at home. Wish I could bake like you though :)

Little Inbox said...

I roast my tandoori chicken in oven and serve it with potato salad. :) Just cook it not long ago.

Kris said...

Sounds so good! I'll have to look and see if I can find a mix.

Jack Welsh said...

Great Job... You can get ready to eat tandoor masala... Just apply that to the meat pieces and then grill.. lovely Chicken is ready.

I can help you get the spices as i run an online Indian store.

Get back to me for help or any spices at http://spicesonline.info

Liz said...

Looks delicious!

mysimplefood said...

Little Inbox - Tandoori and potato salad? How was it?

Kris - I hope you can find a mix too. Just check out Asian Stores or Indian stores.

Jack - will check it out. Thanks.

Liz - Thanks for visiting.

Unknown said...

Congrats on a beautiful dish! your chicken is fantastic and even looks grilled. Very yummy.

mysimplefood said...

The Mom Chef - Thanks for your compliments. Oven can be the grill too but I guess nothing beats the grill :)

CheeseGoddess said...

I am seriously hungry now!!! Thank you for sharing. Sometimes it's hard to get these flavors coming from your own kitchen. You've made it easy!

mysimplefood said...

Hey Cheese Goddess - It's simple especially when you have a little help like a ready mix! :)

tigerfish said...

That's an easy tasty chicken. Yummy!

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