Tandoori Chicken Skewers — Culinary Seasons

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Tandoori Chicken Skewers takes its name from the clay style of oven in which it is cooked. The tandoor history reaches back over 5000 years in the Punjab region of India. The origin of the chicken dish can be traced back to around the 1940s-1950s. Although the tandoor is used in Pakistan as well, it is probably most known for its use in India.

The use of the tandoor is not only used for roasting skewers, it may best be known for baking unleavened flat breads such as roti and naan. Both Roti and Naan are breads that are served with Indian cuisine. The unleavened dough is formed by hand and then placed on a towel that is wrapped around a pad. The naan is then pressed onto the inside wall of the clay oven. Baking time is only minutes.

Depending on the size of the Tandoor, multiple items may be cooked at the same time.

Picture shows Naan being baked on the wall of the Tandoor while roasting types of Tandoori Chicken Skewers

Watch how Naan is Cooked in a Tandoor

Ingredients in Tandoori Chicken are similar from different regions but the portions may vary. The spice combinations include dahi (a type of plain yogurt), garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder and lemon. Marinating the chicken is key to get the flavor infusion of these spices.

Garam Masala – One of India’s Popular Seasonings

You may not be familiar with Garam Masala, don’t worry it may be unfamiliar but the combination of the spices will wake up your senses. Remember not all spice mixes mean it is spicy.

So What’s In It?

Think of Garam Masala as a premix of spices similar to a dry spice blend used as a bbq seasoning.The spice blends can vary but many of the premixed blends you can find are a mix of Cumin, Coriander, Cardamom, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Cloves and Nutmeg.

When cooking with this mix of spices, it may bring back memories of holiday times with the notes of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.

You can make your own blends of Garam Masala there are recipes out there that may use the same ingredients or include other spices. Either way, Garam Masala is a spice blend that is used in several dishes in Indian cuisine.

Family Favorite!

Give this recipe a try, you will enjoy the flavors of the spices in the marinade. Serve the Tandoori Chicken with some Naan, Peach or Mango Chutney and some Raita. Look for other Indian recipes to come.

Servings: 4 people

Author: Chef Tony Zentgraf

Tandoori Chicken is a classic street food of India. The spice flavors come through in this marinade, marinate overnight and you will get amazing tandoori chicken skewers coming off the charcoal grill.

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