The BEST Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken

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.

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.

Since most of us don’t have clay ovens, there are other ways we can replicate the cooking methods with our own kitchen appliances. I love making tandoori chicken in the Instant Pot.

This recipe will show you how to make perfect tandoori chicken in the air fryer. If you enjoy Air Fryer Recipes, check out these kale pakoras, onion pakoras, and masala fries.

Don’t have an air fryer or an Instant Pot? Make Tandoori chicken in your oven! It’s simple.

Ingredients

Here are some tips about the ingredients I used.

• Ginger Paste and Garlic Paste: Do not substitute with ginger powder or garlic powder. Check out how to make homemade ginger and garlic paste.
• Red Chili Powder: I used Kashmiri red chili powder. You can use any mild red chili powder or paprika. If you want it to have a lot more heat, use a spicier chili powder or cayenne pepper.
• Garam Masala: Use homemade garam masala as it brings out the authentic flavors
• Yogurt: Use plain full-fat yogurt for the marinade. If you are lactose intolerant, you can substitute it with dairy-free yogurt, as long as it is plain and full-fat.
• Lemon Juice: Fresh-squeezed lemon juice will have a lot more flavor than bottled.

Tandoori Chicken Tips

Here are my best tips for making the tastiest Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks:

• Pat dry the chicken legs to avoid extra liquids in the marinade
• Marinate chicken for at least 1 hour, but it is best if you marinate overnight, or up to 24 hours total
• Discard any leftover marinade or brush it on the chicken before cooking

How To Make Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken

Here’s how to make tandoori drumsticks in the air fryer:

• Place the chicken legs in a mixing bowl. Pat them dry with a paper towel and remove the skin (photo 1).
• Make about 3-4 slits across the thick part of each drumstick (photo 2).
• 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 it to the chicken drumsticks. Add the lemon juice and mix everything, coating the chicken with the marinade (photo 3).
• Let chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes, up to 24 hours (photo 4).

• Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease the basket with cooking oil. Place the marinated drumsticks in the basket and air fry for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F (photo 5).
• Shake the basket halfway through cooking (photo 6).
• After cooking time completes, check the internal temperature – 165 degrees F is the safe cooking temperature for chicken (photo 7). To get the charred marks, just keep the chicken in the air fryer for an additional 1-2 minutes.
• Serve with fresh lemon wedges and cilantro mint chutney (photo 8).

What To Serve With Tandoori Chicken

Serve with Quick Pickled Onions and Vegetable Biryani for a hearty meal. I often pair it with sweet and tangy mango salad or fiesta quinoa salad. For a light low-card meal, serve it with a crunchy Indian cucumber salad.

I love cooking Chicken in the Air Fryer. If you are looking for more air fryer recipes, do try my Chilli Chicken. It’s a quick and healthier option to the traditional deep-fried recipe.

Storing

The best way to store leftover drumsticks is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh up to 3 days. Reheat the drumsticks in your air fryer at 350 degrees for no longer than 4 minutes.

★ Tried this recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment and let me know, or snap a quick pic and upload it—I love seeing your creations. If you’re on Instagram, tag @ministry_of_curry so I can check it out. Your feedback means so much to me and makes all the time I spend perfecting each recipe totally worth it. Thank you!

Recipe