Tandoori-Spiced Chicken with Fresh Naan Bread
Juicy chicken marinated in traditional tandoori spices, grilled to perfection and served alongside warm, fluffy naan bread. This punjabi-inspired indian ready in about 45 minutes pairs boneless, skinless 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 420 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
- 1.5 lbs, boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp tandoori masala powder
- 1 tbsp garlic paste
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3 tbsp, melted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 1 cup plain yogurt, 2 tbsp tandoori masala powder, 1 tbsp garlic paste, 1 tbsp ginger paste, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp kosher salt in a large bowl. Add 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, coating thoroughly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Step 2: For the naan, dissolve 2 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tsp sugar in 3/4 cup warm water; let sit for 10 minutes until frothy. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour with the yeast mixture, 1/4 cup milk, and 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Knead until smooth, about 8 minutes, then cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or broiler to medium-high heat. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers and brush with 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Grill for 5-6 minutes per side until chicken is cooked through and has slight char marks.
- Step 4: Divide naan dough into 6 equal balls. Roll each into a 1/4-inch thick oval on a floured surface. Cook each naan on a hot cast iron skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes until bubbles form, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes. Brush with 3 tbsp melted butter immediately after cooking.
- Step 5: Serve the grilled tandoori chicken hot alongside freshly made naan bread, garnished with lemon wedges if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tandoori-Spiced Chicken with Fresh Naan Bread take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Tandoori-Spiced Chicken with Fresh Naan Bread?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep plain yogurt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tandoori-Spiced Chicken with Fresh Naan Bread?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Tandoori-Spiced Chicken with Fresh Naan Bread for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Tandoori-Spiced Chicken with Fresh Naan Bread?
Punjabi indian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
