Authentic Chicken Tikka skewers at Home

Welcome to a culinary adventure into the heart of Indian cuisine! In this recipe, we will delve into the world of chicken tikka skewers, a mouthwatering delight hailing from India. Traditionally cooked in high heat tandoor ovens, today, we’ll show you how to achieve the closest possible results right in your own oven. Get ready to amaze your taste buds with the aromatic spices and tender marinated chicken, as we take you step-by-step through this flavorful journey.

The Base Marinade

To start, gather a medium-sized mixing bowl, where we will create the first marinade. Using a fine grater, grate a large clove of garlic and an equally sized piece of peeled ginger into the bowl. This finely grated mixture will ensure the flavors meld perfectly with the chicken. If you don’t have a grater, don’t worry! You can opt to finely dice both ingredients.

Tangy Citrus Kick

Next, introduce the zesty essence of lemon to the marinade. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the bowl, giving the mixture a tangy and refreshing touch. If you have an exceptionally juicy lemon, you may not need to use all of it; aim for about 20 to 30 milliliters of juice in total. Enhance the flavor with a strong pinch of salt, ensuring all the ingredients blend harmoniously.

Preparing the Chicken Thighs

For the main ingredient, we have 350 grams (approximately 12.5 ounces) of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced into large chunks. To retain moisture and add flavor, keep around fifty percent of the chicken fat on the thighs. This addition will contribute to juicy and delicious skewers as they cook. We chose chicken thighs for this recipe, as they work best when oven-roasted, replicating the tandoor experience. Chicken breast, with its lower fat content, could result in a dry end product.

First Marinade Coating

Combine the diced chicken with the garlic, ginger, lemon, and salt mixture in the bowl. Be gentle while coating the chicken to avoid breaking up the pieces. Allow the chicken to absorb the flavors fully, creating a foundation of taste that will take your senses on a journey to the streets of India.

Crafting the Flavourful Spice Mix

Now, let’s craft the second marinade—the key to the rich, aromatic essence of chicken tikka skewers. In a smaller mixing bowl, combine three heaped teaspoons of chili powder. While traditionally Kashmiri chili powder is preferred for its deep red color, feel free to use chili de arbol powder if that’s readily available. However, be cautious about the age and quality of the chili powder you use, as fresh and flavorful chili is essential.

Adding the Magic Touch

Continue the spice mix by adding a quarter teaspoon of turmeric, half a teaspoon of cumin powder, half a teaspoon of mace (or use half the amount of nutmeg), and a teaspoon of garam masala. These spices will lend their distinctive flavors, making your chicken tikka skewers an authentic representation of Indian cuisine.

Yogurt – The Balancing Element

To create the perfect balance, add 50 grams (approximately a heaped tablespoon) of thick natural yogurt or curd to the spice mix. Unlike traditional recipes that call for four times the amount of yogurt, we’ll use a modest portion. This adjustment ensures the chicken gets the desired charred exterior, a hallmark of chicken tikka, even when cooked in a home oven.

Second Marinade & Refrigeration

Incorporate the yogurt spice mix into the chicken, gently coating each piece. Cover the bowl and place the chicken in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes, up to 4 hours. Longer marination may result in rubbery chicken, so stick to this time frame for perfect tenderness.

Preparing for the Oven

Preheat your oven to its highest temperature, or at least 250 degrees Celsius (480 degrees Fahrenheit). To ensure even cooking, place a sheet tray with a rack in the oven, allowing the chicken to be suspended and surrounded by air.

Skewering & Seasoning

Carefully skewer the marinated chicken onto double-pronged skewers or pre-soaked wooden skewers. The latter helps prevent the meat from spinning during rotation. Pack the chicken tightly to promote even cooking and a deliciously tender outcome. Season the outside of the skewers with a touch more salt on both sides, and if you didn’t add oil to the marinade, now’s the time to drizzle, brush, or spray some neutral-tasting oil on the outside.

Into the Oven

Place the skewers on the prepared rack in the preheated oven for 6 minutes of high heat cooking. The chicken will start to develop a delightful char and intoxicating aroma.

Rotate & Cook

After the initial 6 minutes, carefully rotate the skewers 180 degrees to ensure uniform charring. Continue cooking for another 4 to 6 minutes, depending on your oven and desired level of char.

After 5 more minutes, your chicken tikka skewers are ready to be unveiled! Use a temperature thermometer to check that the internal temperature is at least 75 degrees Celsius (175 degrees Fahrenheit) or ideally 90 degrees Celsius (195 degrees Fahrenheit) for juicy and succulent thigh meat.

Enjoy the Finest Indian Flavours

The skewers have emerged from the oven, boasting the classic chicken tikka chard exterior and an alluring blend of spices. A true taste of India, perfectly achievable at home, with a few expert tweaks to the recipe. Serve these delectable skewers on a bed of rice or alongside your favorite Indian side dishes and sauces.

Authentic Chicken Tikka skewers at Home

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I hope this step-by-step guide has taken you on a memorable culinary journey through the vibrant flavours of Indian cuisine. By replicating the traditional tandoor experience in your home oven, you have unlocked the secrets of tender, aromatic, and mouthwatering chicken tikka skewers. Experiment with different spice blends and enjoy the richness of Indian flavours, right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Happy cooking!

Ingredients

• 350g / 12.5oz Chicken thigh, boneless & skinless
• 1/2 a lemon juiced (20-30ml)
• 1 garlic clove (medium to large)
• 1 piece of ginger peeled (same size as the garlic clove)
• Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon tumeric powder
• 3 x teaspoons chilli powder (tradionally Kashmiri chilli powder)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/2 teaspoon mace (if not then use 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg)
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 50g / heaped tablespoon thick natural yoghurt or curd
• 1 - 2 tablespoons neutral tasting oil (canola, sunflower etc etc)
• Salt

Instructions

1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, grate the garlic and ginger using a microplane or fine grater. Add the juice of half a lemon and a pinch of salt. Mix everything together.
2. Add the diced chicken thigh to the bowl and coat it well with the garlic, ginger, lemon, and salt mixture. Be gentle not to break up the chicken pieces.
3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken for 30 minutes to marinate.
4. In a smaller mixing bowl, combine the chili powder, turmeric, cumin powder, mace (or nutmeg), and garam masala.
5. Add the thick yogurt or curd to the spice mix and mix everything together.
6. After the initial 30 minutes of marinating, add the yogurt spice mix to the chicken and gently mix well, coating every piece of chicken.
7. Cover the bowl again and let the chicken marinate in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes, up to 4 hours.
8. Preheat your oven to its highest temperature. If you're uncomfortable with very high heat, set it to at least 250 degrees Celsius (480 degrees Fahrenheit).
9. Place a sheet tray with a rack in the oven. Brush the rack with some neutral-tasting oil.
10. Skewer the marinated chicken onto double-pronged skewers (or wooden skewers soaked in water for at least an hour) tightly so they cook evenly.
11. Season the outside of the skewers with a touch more salt on both sides.
12. Place the skewers on the prepared rack in the hot oven for 6 minutes.
13. After 6 minutes, turn the skewers 180 degrees and cook for an additional 4 to 6 minutes, depending on your oven and desired level of char.
14. Use a thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 75 degrees Celsius (175 degrees Fahrenheit) for juicy and succulent thigh meat.
15. Remove the skewers from the oven and serve them on a bed of rice or with your favorite Indian side dishes and sauces.
16. Enjoy the delightful taste of Chicken Tikka Skewers, a true taste of India achieved at home in your oven! For more details, ingredient lists, and related videos, refer to the description below the video.