Tandoori cooking is a hallmark of Indian cuisine, known for its smoky flavour and vibrant spices.
Traditionally made in a clay oven called a tandoor, these dishes can be easily adapted for home kitchens using a grill or conventional oven.
Whether you’re preparing naan, kebabs, or tandoori chicken, you don’t need a tandoor to enjoy these bold flavours at home.
What Is a Tandoor?
A tandoor is a traditional clay oven used across the Indian subcontinent.
It reaches much higher temperatures than standard ovens and gives food a distinct, charred finish.
Naan bread is slapped onto the inner walls, kebabs are stood vertically, and meats like chicken are grilled over a live flame.
Cooking Tandoori Food at Home
Although owning a tandoor is impractical for most home cooks, many tandoori recipes can be successfully made in an oven or on a barbeque.
Restaurant-style tandoori dishes often use red food dye for appearance—this is optional and not necessary for flavour.
Tandoori cooking is typically not too spicy or heavy, making it ideal for both summer and winter meals. It’s also relatively quick to prepare.
Chicken Tikka: A Simple Tandoori-Style Recipe
- Serves: 2
- Method: Grill or barbeque
- Preparation Time: ~10 minutes (plus marinating)
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 1 small tub Greek yogurt (low-fat optional)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp ground ginger or ginger paste (use sparingly)
- ½ tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 clove garlic (crushed)
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix all the spices, garlic, and yogurt.
- Add the chicken cubes and coat evenly.
- For short marination (under 20 minutes), add salt and lemon juice immediately. For longer marination, add them just before cooking to avoid dryness.
- Thread chicken pieces onto skewers.
- Grill or barbeque over medium heat until slightly browned and fully cooked.
Serving Suggestions: Pair with naan, pitta bread, or salad for a lighter meal, or serve alongside rice and lentils (dahl) for a heartier dish.
Tandoori cooking offers rich flavour without requiring complex techniques or special equipment. With the right spices and a simple grill or oven, you can enjoy authentic Indian dishes like chicken tikka at home—no tandoor necessary.
