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Easy Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks

Easy Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks

Easy Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks offer a vibrant, flavor-packed dish with tender, juicy meat infused with traditional Indian spices. This recipe is simple to prepare, ideal for both beginners and experienced cooks, and perfect for oven baking or grilling. Marinated in yogurt and aromatic spices, these drumsticks deliver a smoky, tangy, and succulent experience that transforms any meal into a satisfying celebration of taste and texture.

  • Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes (including marinating)
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 8 fresh chicken drumsticks with skin

Marinade

  • 1 cup plain full-fat yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon garlic and ginger paste
  • 2 teaspoons Kashmiri red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or mustard oil)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: Combine yogurt, garlic and ginger paste, Kashmiri chili powder, ground cumin, coriander, garam masala, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk everything together until smooth and well mixed.
  2. Marinate the Drumsticks: Make shallow cuts on each chicken drumstick to help the flavors absorb better. Toss the drumsticks into the marinade, making sure each piece is fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
  3. Preheat and Prepare to Cook: If baking, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). If grilling, get your grill heated to medium-high. Lightly oil a baking sheet or brush the grill grates to prevent sticking.
  4. Cook the Drumsticks: Place the marinated drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet or grill. Bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes, turning once halfway through, or grill for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through with a slight char.
  5. Rest and Serve: Remove the drumsticks from heat and let them rest for 5 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring tender, juicy meat when served.

Notes

  • Use full-fat yogurt to keep the chicken moist and deliver richer flavor.
  • Marinate for at least 4 hours or ideally overnight to deepen flavors.
  • Score the drumsticks to allow better marinade penetration.
  • Turn the drumsticks during cooking to ensure even char and juiciness.
  • Let the drumsticks rest for 5 minutes after cooking to retain moisture.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Baking (also suitable for Grilling)
  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 drumsticks
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 550mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 5g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 23g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: Tandoori, Chicken Drumsticks, Indian, Spicy, Grilled Chicken, Oven-baked, Marinated Chicken