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.
About Time
- Prep Time 10 mins
- Cook Time 15 mins
- Total Time 25 mins
Ingredients
- 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
- 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 of 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 it 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 and cilantro mint chutney. Pair it with the crunchy cucumber salad for a delicious low-carb meal.
Amount Per Serving
CALORIES: 37
- TOTAL FAT: 3g
- SATURATED FAT: 0g
- TRANS FAT: 0g
- UNSATURATED FAT: 1g
- CHOLESTEROL: 0mg
- SODIUM: 26mg
- CARBOHYDRATES: 3g
- FIBER: 0g
- SUGAR: 1g
- PROTEIN: 0g