Air-Fryer Tandoori Chicken Legs Recipe
I am so excited to share my modern and EASY recipe for Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken. These spicy chicken legs are perfectly juicy with a nice crisp char on the outside sealing in all of that flavor. The best part is they cook in only 15 minutes in the Air Fryer—less than half the time it takes in a conventional oven. The drumsticks are marinated in warming spices and creamy yogurt just like the classic dish. But you won’t believe how quick and effortless it is to make this favorite Indian dish in the Air Fryer with the same authentic taste and a lot less work.
Tandoori chicken legs are perfect for family dinners or as the main dish at parties and get-togethers. Chicken drumsticks are inexpensive and harder to overcook so they are a good choice for larger gatherings. Believe me, just looking at the plate piled high with spiced tandoori chicken is going to make everyone hungry if the aroma filling the house doesn’t do it first.
What Is Tandoori Chicken?
Tandoori is a style of cooking from the Indian subcontinent that refers to cooking food in a clay oven, which is also called a Tandoor. Most traditional Tandoori chicken is marinated in yogurt and vibrant spices before it is roasted in the clay oven.
Tender Roasted chicken drumsticks marinated in yogurt, warm tandoori spices, and cooked to perfection in the Air Fryer.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Marinating Time: 30 mins
Servings: 3
Equipment:
◾Air Fryer
◾Digital Thermometer
INGREDIENTS FOR Air-Fryer Tandoori Chicken Legs Recipe
▢6 chicken drumsticks
▢⅓ cup plain yogurt
▢1 tablespoon ginger paste
▢1 tablespoon garlic paste
▢1 tablespoon Kashmiri red chili powder or any other mild red chili powder
▢½ teaspoon ground turmeric
▢1 teaspoon garam masala
▢1½ teaspoons kosher salt
▢1 tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves Kasoori methi
▢1 tablespoon lemon juice
▢cooking oil spray
INSTRUCTIONS FOR Air-Fryer Tandoori Chicken Legs Recipe
◾Pat dry the chicken drumsticks with a paper towel. Then using 2 pieces of paper towels, pick up one drumstick and pull the skin down from the thickest part of the chicken to the narrow end and remove the skin. Repeat for the remaining chicken drumsticks. Paper towels will help you get a grip on the skin and remove it easily.
◾Make 3-4 slits across the thick part on each drumstick.
◾Add yogurt, ginger, garlic, red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, and salt. Place the dried fenugreek leaves on the palm of your hands and gently crush them rubbing the hands together. Add to the chicken. Add lemon juice and mix everything coating the chicken with the marinade
◾Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 20 minutes or you can also marinate in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
◾Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Line the marinated chicken in the basket and spray with oil.
◾Air fry at 350°F for 15 minutes. Shake the basket halfway and lightly spray with oil.
◾Once the cooking cycle is completed check the internal temperature of the thickest piece and make sure it’s at 165°F. You may continue to cook the chicken or add 1 to 2 minutes for charred marks but make sure not to overcook.
◾Serve with fresh lemon wedges, cilantro mint chutney. Pair it with the crunchy cucumber salad for a delicious low carb meal.
NOTES:
The amount of food you can cook at a time will vary depending on the size of your air fryer basket. Remember not to overcrowd and to keep enough room between 2 pieces of chicken. Cook Time may vary depending on the air fryer. Always check the internal temperature with a digital thermometer and add additional cook time if needed.
NUTRITIONAL INFO:
Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 1289mg | Potassium: 273mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 832IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg