With summer just around the corner, it’s officially the start of grilling season. That means it’s time to share some of my favorite grilling recipes like this delicious Tandoori Chicken. The chicken breasts are marinated in a simple yet flavorful combination of yogurt, lime juice, and a blend of Indian spices.

This traditional Indian dish is perfect for meal prep, as you can make a big batch on Sunday and enjoy it all week long. I like to use leftovers for sandwiches, salads, and rice bowls. If you’re in the mood for pizza, you could even use it as a pizza topping with some fresh arugula on a Naan bread pizza.

If you’re a fan of Indian cuisine, then you’re going to fall in love with this dish. It’s beyond flavorful, easy to throw together, and only needs 30 minutes of marinating time to allow all the incredible flavors to come together. Whether you’re hosting a pool party or barbecue, or cooking dinner for the family, this amazing dish guarantees to be a crowd-pleaser.

What is Tandoori Chicken?

Tandoori Chicken is a traditional dish in Indian cuisine made by marinating chicken in yogurt and spices, then roasting it in a clay oven called a tandoor. The dish is known for its vibrant color, which it gets from brightly colored spices like turmeric, cinnamon, and chili powder or cayenne pepper. While the traditional way of cooking the dish is in a tandoor, it’s now prepared all over the world either on the grill or in the oven. In this recipe, we grill the chicken for maximum flavor and beautiful char marks.

Key Ingredients and Easy Swaps

The key ingredients you will need for this dish include:

• Chicken breasts: Make sure to use boneless and skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. You can also use chicken thighs or drumsticks if you prefer.
• Yogurt: I like to use plain nonfat yogurt, but you can also use full fat coconut milk for a paleo and dairy-free version. Greek yogurt also works.
• Lime juice: The acidity in lime juice brightens up the rest of the flavors in the dish, making it extra delicious. Lemon juice works as well but will result in a slightly different flavor.
• Spices: We’re going to use a flavorful combination of salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, cardamom, turmeric, cumin, ground mustard, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
• Onions: After sauteing the onions, we will blend them up with the marinade for a ton of extra flavor.
• Garlic: Sauteed garlic adds aromatics and lots of rich, savory flavor to the dish. Garlic powder or minced garlic can be used in a pinch.