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Tandoori Chicken Tenders

Make these easy Tandoori Chicken Tenders at home in no time at all! Using a few Indian inspired seasonings, Greek yogurt and lime juice, you just won’t be disappointed with the flavours!

Tandoori chicken tenders on a plate.
Tandoori Chicken Tenders

If you’ve never tried tandoori chicken, now is your chance. These chicken tenders are much like my Barbecue Tandoori Chicken, just a whole lot quicker. Why not try something a little different this week and give these Indian spiced chicken tenders a try. They are easy to make, take an hour to marinade and only 20 minutes to cook!

Indian spiced chicken tenders on a baking tray.
Tandoori Chicken Tenders

What are These Chicken Tenders Like

  • Difficulty – This is an extremely easy recipe and the hands on time is very quick. There is a marinade time of one hour and a few of the spices may be ones you might not have on hand like Garam Masala, fresh ginger and turmeric.
  • Taste – If you love Indian Inspired cuisine, you’ll love these easy tenders.
  • Serving – This recipes uses one pound of chicken tenders which will serve approximately four people. In the recipe card at the end of the post you can scale the recipe up or down.
Tandoori chicken on a plate with a yogurt dip.
Tandoori Chicken Tenders

Ingredients

  • Chicken – I used chicken tenders for this recipe.
  • Yogurt – I made the base of the marinade from Greek yogurt.
  • Oil – Olive oil.
  • Lime juice – Lime juice is used in the marinade as well and squeezing over the tenders when they are baked.
  • Garlic – Fresh minced garlic.
  • Ginger – Fresh grated ginger.
  • Spices and seasonings – I used a combination of coriander, turmeric, garam masala, chili flakes and slat for the marinade.1 teaspoon dried coriander
  • Fresh herbs – I added a small amount of fresh coriander/cilantro to the chicken tenders when they were baked.

NOTE, The full recipe and instructions can be found at the end of the post in the recipe card.

Ingredients to make tandoori chicken tenders.
Ingredients to make the Tandoori Chicken Tenders

Instructions

  1. Make marinade – In a small bowl combine the yogurt, olive oil, 1/2 of the lime juice, garlic, ginger, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, dried chilli flakes and salt. Stir to combine.
  2. Marinade chicken – In a large bowl, combine the chicken tenders with the marinade. Stir well, cover and refrigerate for one hour.
  3. Preheat oven – Preheat oven to 375 degrees F/190 degrees C. Have ready a large baking tray.
  4. Place chicken on baking tray – Remove chicken tenders from the marinade and place them on the baking tray.
  5. Bake – Bake between 20 – 25 minutes or until cooked through.
  6. Garnish and serve – Remove from oven and drizzle over extra lime juice and add fresh chopped coriander. Serve with your favourite dips.

Recipe Tips

  • Marinade time – Make sure to marinade the chicken for an hour. This helps bring out the flavours of the seasonings. You can even marinade this chicken up to 24 hours before cooking.
  • Watch cooking time – These baked perfectly in my oven in 20 minutes. Yours may cook a little quicker or take a little longer. All ovens are a little different.
Chicken tenders in tandoori spices with greek yogurt.
Tandoori Chicken Tenders

Substitutions

  • Greek yogurt – You can easily use natural unsweetened yogurt for the marinade.
  • Lime juice – I use fresh lime juice, you can use bottled. Alternatively, you can use lemon juice.

Alternative Cooking Methods

  • Stove top – Preheat a heavy bottomed skillet on the stove top for about 3 – 4 minutes. Add one tablespoon of olive oil and then add the marinaded chicken tenders. Cook each side for about 4 minutes. Remove from stove and add lime juice and fresh cilantro/coriander.
  • Barbecue – Preheat barbecue to medium to high heat until it comes up to temperature. Add the chicken tenders and cook each side for about 4 minutes. Remove from barbecue and add lime juice and fresh cilantro/coriander.
  • Slow cooker – Add these chicken tenders along with the marinade to your slow cooker. Cook on low for about four hours or until tender and cooked through. Remember all slow cookers are different so yours may cook quicker or take a little longer.
Close up of spiced tandoori chicken tenders on a plate.
Tandoori Chicken Tenders

Serving

Spiced tandoori Chicken tenders on a plate.
Spiced Tandoori Chicken Tenders

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tandoori Chicken?

Tandoori chicken is a chicken dish that marinaded in yogurt with spices. It’s traditionally cooked in a tandoor oven, which is a traditional clay oven. Cooking it in a tandoor oven gives the chicken a very distinct smoky flavour.

What is Garam Masala?

Garam masala is a spice blend used in Indian cuisine. It is a combination of warm and aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Exact spices and measurements vary from recipe to recipe.

What does yogurt to in marinading tandoori chicken?

Yogurt slowly tenderises chicken and the result is very tender and juicy chicken. Just make sure the yogurt is unsweetened.

Spiced chicken tenders with yogurt sauce on the side.
Tandoori Chicken Tenders


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Chicken tenders on a plate with arugula salad.

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Chicken tenders in teriyaki sauce on a plate.

Stove Top Tex-Mex Chicken Tenders

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Chicken tenders on a plate.

Spiced chicken tenders with yogurt sauce on the side.
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Tandoori Chicken Tenders

Make these easy Tandoori Chicken Tenders at home in no time at all! Using a few Indian inspired seasonings, Greek yogurt and lime juice, you just won't be disappointed with the flavours!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Marinade Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: baked chicken, chicken tenders, easy recipes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 147kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken tenders
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Juice of one lime divided
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 inch ginger grated
  • 1 teaspoon dried coriander
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried chili flakes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Small bunch of fresh coriander finely chopped

Instructions

  • In a small bowl combine the yogurt, olive oil, 1/2 of the lime juice, garlic, ginger, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, dried chilli flakes and salt. Stir to combine.
  • In a large bowl, combine the chicken tenders with the marinade. Stir well, cover and refrigerate for one hour.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F/190 degrees C. Have ready a large baking tray.
  • Remove chicken tenders from the marinade and place them on the baking tray.
  • Bake between 20 – 25 minutes or until cooked through.
  • Remove from oven and drizzle over extra lime juice and add fresh chopped coriander. Serve with your favourite dips.

*A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

Notes

    1. Marinade time – Make sure to marinade the chicken for an hour. This helps bring out the flavours of the seasonings. You can even marinade this chicken up to 24 hours before cooking.
    1. Watch cooking time – These baked perfectly in my oven in 20 minutes. Yours may cook a little quicker or take a little longer. All ovens are a little different.
Nutrition Facts
Tandoori Chicken Tenders
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 147 Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Trans Fat 0.01g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 73mg24%
Sodium 132mg6%
Potassium 420mg12%
Protein 24g48%
Vitamin A 34IU1%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 6mg1%
Iron 0.4mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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By on October 26th, 2023
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About Julia Pinney

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