Tandoori-Spiced Chicken Thighs with Cilantro-Yogurt Sauce
Juicy chicken thighs marinated in a vibrant tandoori spice blend and served with a cooling cilantro-yogurt sauce for balance. This Indian-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, plain yogurt, tandoori masala powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp tandoori masala powder
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 small green chili, seeded
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup plain yogurt, 2 tbsp tandoori masala powder, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp salt to create the marinade. Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs and coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for deep flavor.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange the marinated chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with foil and drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over them. Roast for 25-30 minutes until the skin is charred at edges and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 3: While chicken roasts, prepare cilantro-yogurt sauce by blending 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, 1 small seeded green chili, 1/2 tsp cumin powder, and 1/2 cup plain yogurt until smooth. Season with salt to taste.
- Step 4: Serve the tandoori chicken hot with a generous spoonful of cilantro-yogurt sauce on the side for a fresh, tangy finish.









