Tandoori Chicken Tikka Skewers (Printable)

Spiced yogurt-marinated chicken, skewered and grilled until charred and fragrant; served with lemon and coriander.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 21 oz boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

→ Marinade

02 - 7 oz plain Greek yogurt
03 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
04 - 1 1/2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
05 - 1 tbsp tandoori masala or garam masala
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp ground coriander
08 - 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
09 - 1/2 tsp chili powder, or to taste
10 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
12 - 1 1/2 tsp salt
13 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Skewers and Garnishes

14 - 1 tbsp melted butter or ghee, for basting
15 - Lemon wedges, for serving
16 - Fresh coriander leaves, chopped, for garnish
17 - Optional: sliced onions and bell peppers, for skewering

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, tandoori masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, smoked paprika, vegetable oil, salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, ideally overnight for optimal flavor penetration.
03 - If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
04 - Thread marinated chicken onto skewers, alternating with slices of onion and bell pepper if desired.
05 - Set grill, grill pan, or oven broiler to medium-high heat.
06 - Grill skewers for 15–20 minutes, turning every 4–5 minutes and basting with melted butter or ghee, until chicken is fully cooked and edges are lightly charred.
07 - Remove skewers from heat, garnish with fresh coriander, and serve hot with lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The yogurt marinade makes the chicken impossibly tender while infusing it with deep, complex flavors
  • These skewers hit that perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and tangy that makes everyone reach for seconds
02 -
  • Don't skip the marination time, those hours are when the magic happens and the flavor penetrates deep
  • Pat the chicken slightly before threading to avoid excess smoke from dripping marinade
03 -
  • Let the skewers rest for 5 minutes after grilling so the juices redistribute
  • Brush the grill with oil right before adding the skewers for easier cleanup

Go Back