Desi Yogurt Marinated Chicken

Living with a Pakistani family, I have to make ‘desi inspired’ recipes a few times a week at least. This Desi Yogurt Marinated Chicken was so mouth watering, spicy and had such big flavours. I don’t usually use packet spices when I can mix them up myself, but Shan’s Tikka Masala is perfect for this desi yogurt marinated chicken. I served it with Desi Spiced Roasted Potatoes. It was a huge hit and even my fussy little one enjoyed it! It’s a winner in my books for sure! 

Preparation Time 5 minutes 

Marination Time 3 hours- overnight

Cook Time 20 minutes 

Serves 4 

Ingredients 

1 cup yogurt

1 tablespoons olive oil 

2 tablespoons Shan’s Tikka Masala 

1/2 teaspoon chilli powder 

1/2 tablespoons cumin powder 

1 teaspoon garlic powder 

1 teaspoon onion powder 

1 teaspoon salt 

8 chicken legs and thighs- mixed. 

2-3 tablespoons oil- to cook chicken

Fresh coriander- for serving 

Instructions 

1. Mix all the marinade ingredients with the chicken in a bowl. Marinate the chicken in the fridge for 3 hours- overnight. 

2. Remove the chicken from the fridge and leave it on the counter at room temperature for 15 minutes before beginning to cook it. This prevents the chicken from shrinking while cooking. 

3. Heat the oil in a pan, heat the oil over a medium heat. Place the chicken in the pan. Cook each side for 5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and place them on a baking sheet. Cover the pan with foil to create a pocket of steam. 

4. Bake the chicken at 180c for 10-15 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165f. 

5. Uncover the chicken and then broil it for 3-4 minutes. 

6. Heat a piece of charcoal on the stove. Once it is hot and red, use tongs to place the charcoal in a little boat of foil. Place that in the middle of the chicken legs. Add a couple drops of oil and as it begins to smoke up, top the chicken with the foil again to trap that smoke in. After 5 minutes, uncover the chicken and serve.