Baked Chicken Thighs / Chicken Kebab / Tandoori Chicken

While we were in Bangalore, Saturday was assigned as the week's grocery shopping day. And by the time we would be done shopping, it would be almost time for lunch. So we would have our lunch from a restaurant near by. The must order included Tandoori chicken. Well we used to get tempted by the chicken going round and round on the grill kept just outside the restaurant that we could never forget to order it. We both used to love it.

Even now, when we go to Indian restaurants, Jacob is a happy soul if he gets to have those yumm tandoori chicken. I somehow don't like the amount of colour they add to bring in that amazing look. Otherwise, I am all in for it. 

We have tried baking chicken thighs many a times. But it was such a success when I tried this recipe. It was when my parents were here. We all loved it. With Jordan around, who is a cat napper , it gets really difficult to cook meals like we did earlier. So these kind of recipes ensures that we get to enjoy food with minimal effort that goes into it and at the same time get enough time to be with lil Jordan while he is awake. You should see the look on his face when we have food. I wish he shows the same interest when he actually starts with solids. I feel sorry for him being so small to be fed only milk which makes him gassy. Anyways, here is the recipe that was a hit at our place. Try and see if it works for you too.

Ingredients

1. 10 chicken drumsticks - skin removed and washed thoroughly
2. 1 1/2 tbsp of ginger paste
3. 1 1/2 tbsp of garlic paste
4. 2 tbsp of kashmiri chilly powder
5. 1 tbsp of coriander powder
6. 1/2 tbsp of garam masala powder
7. 1/2 tbsp of cumin powder
8. 2 tbsp of yogurt
9. 2 tsp of lemon juice
10. 2 tbsp of vegetable oil
11. Salt to taste

Method

• In a large mixing bowl, take all the ingredients 2-11 . Give them a mix thoroughly to form the masala to coat the chicken drumsticks.
• Make gashes on each drumstick and drop it into the bowl with the masala mix. Give them all a mix thoroughly that the masala coats well on each chicken drumstick.
• Cover and refrigerate the marinated drumsticks for about 2 hours.
• Remove it from the refrigerator and line them on to a baking pan.
• Preheat the oven to 400 F.
• Bake the drumsticks for 35 minutes. Turn on the broil mode and broil it for another 10 minutes.
• Turn over the drumsticks and bake them for another 15 minutes at 400 F.
• Remove it from the oven and serve it hot with some onion and lemon by its side.

Tips

1. You could refrigerate the marinated chicken overnight. This would enhance its taste to a greater level.
2. Broiling brings about the grilled/tandoor/charred effect. However, you could avoid this step and just cook it on bake mode.
3. Addition of the vegetable oil helps prevent the drying of the drumsticks. However, you could avoid it if you would want to make a oil free version. 
4. Kashmiri chilly brings about the red colour without making it too spicy. You could add red chilly powder as per your taste to make it more spicy or hot.