Sizzling Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Thighs: A 30-Minute Indian-Inspired Feast

Introduction

Bring the rich, aromatic flavors of Indian cuisine to your dinner table with our Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Thighs recipe! This dish captures the essence of traditional tandoori cooking, with its signature spice blend and tender, juicy meat, all achieved with the convenience of air frying. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect choice for a quick yet exotic weeknight dinner that will transport your taste buds to the bustling streets of Mumbai.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and exotic: Ready in just 30 minutes
• Healthier option: Uses minimal oil while delivering authentic tandoori flavor
• Versatile: Great on its own, with naan bread, or atop a bed of basmati rice
• Impressive: A restaurant-quality dish that’s surprisingly simple to make

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs total)
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon paprika (for color)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

Optional for serving: lemon wedges, chopped cilantro, extra yogurt

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Cosori Air Fryer, 5.8QT
• Meat Thermometer
• Mixing Bowls Set

Pro Tip: The Cosori Air Fryer ensures perfectly cooked tandoori chicken with a slightly charred exterior, mimicking the traditional tandoor oven effect!

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and all the spices to create the marinade.
2. Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring they’re well coated. If time allows, refrigerate and marinate for 2-4 hours or overnight for best results.
3. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
4. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off.
5. Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side up, ensuring they don’t overlap.
6. Cook for 12 minutes, then flip the chicken thighs.
7. Cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the exterior is crispy and slightly charred.
8. Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
9. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lemon wedges and extra yogurt if desired.

Tips for Success

• For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary for the best results.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of cayenne pepper in the marinade.

Variations

• Green Tandoori: Add 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro and 2 chopped green chilies to the marinade for a greener, spicier version.
• Tandoori Tikka: Cut boneless chicken thighs into cubes before marinating for tandoori chicken tikka.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fat: 22g
• Fiber: 0.5g

Serving Suggestions

Serve these Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Thighs with a side of cucumber raita, basmati rice, and naan bread for a complete Indian-inspired meal. For an extra special presentation, use these beautiful White and Gold Serving Platters.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container like these Glass Food Storage Containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-6 minutes, or until heated through.

Related Recipes

If you enjoyed this Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Thighs recipe, you might also like these recipes from our Air Fryer Chicken collection:

• Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Pesto Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Jerk Seasoned Chicken Thighs

For more delicious air fryer chicken recipes, check out our Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Round-up Post or explore our Air Fryer Chicken Breast Round-up Post for a variety of air fryer chicken dishes.

Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Thighs Conclusion

We hope this Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Thighs recipe brings the vibrant flavors of India to your dinner table! It’s a perfect example of how air frying can create authentic, restaurant-quality meals with minimal effort and time. Don’t forget to share your tandoori creations with us on social media and let us know your favorite way to serve these aromatic chicken thighs in the comments below.

Happy air frying!

This recipe is part of our Air Fryer Chicken series. Discover more air fryer chicken recipes in our [Link to Air Fryer Chicken Round-up Post] or explore all our air fryer chicken collections in our [Link to Master Air Fryer Chicken Round-up Post].

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