Tandoori Chicken Breast Skewers : Quick & Flavorful Dinner Under 30 Minutes

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Chicken breast recipes are always a crowd-pleaser, and Tandoori Chicken stands out for its vibrant spice blend and juicy tenderness. If you love simple chicken recipes, quick dinner ideas, or healthy baked chicken, this dish will quickly become a favorite in your dinner rotation. Whether you choose the air fryer, oven, grill, or BBQ, these marinated chicken skewers deliver restaurant-worthy results at home, and you’ll find tips on every cooking method below.

Table of Contents

Ingredient List

IngredientAmount
Chicken breast, diced650 g (1.4 lb) / approx. 4 breasts
Lemon, juice only1
Tomato puree1 tbsp
Natural yoghurt50 g (0.25 cups)
Ground coriander1 tsp
Ground cumin1 tsp
Paprika2 tsp
Turmeric1/2 tsp
Ground cinnamon1/2 tsp
Ground ginger1 tsp
Garlic granules1 tsp
Chilli powder (optional)1/2 tsp
Salt1.5 tsp
Freshly ground black pepper1/2 tsp
Red food colouring (optional)See notes

Prepare the Marinade

Whisk together the ground spices, salt, pepper, lemon juice, tomato puree, and yoghurt until completely combined. After dicing the chicken breasts, coat them evenly with the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours for maximum flavor).

Skewers & Cooking Options

  • Thread marinated chicken chunks onto sturdy skewers. Bamboo or metal skewers both work.
  • Choose your favorite cooking method:

Air Fryer:

  • Spray chicken skewers with oil and place in the air fryer basket (air fryer).
  • Cook at 220°C fan/240°C/400°F for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway. Ensure internal temp reaches 165°F.

Oven:

  • Place skewers on a grill rack over a baking sheet (baking sheets).
  • Bake at 180°C fan/200°C/350°F for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway.

Grill or BBQ:

  • Grill or BBQ over direct, high heat for 15–20 minutes, turning halfway through.
Tandoori Chicken Breast Skewers

Top Tips for Success

  • Marinate chicken overnight for the deepest flavor.
  • Use a thermometer to check for doneness, aiming for 165°F in the center.
  • For extra char, broil or grill briefly once cooked.
  • Rest skewers a few minutes before serving for maximum juiciness.

Serving Suggestions

Pair tandoori chicken skewers with naan, rice, or a fresh cucumber salad. Garnish with cilantro, lemon wedges, and your favorite Indian-style chutney.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other cuts of chicken?

Absolutely! While breast is lean and fast-cooking, thighs offer extra succulence.

What if I don’t have skewers?

Simply spread chicken on a grill rack or sheet pan for oven and air fryer cooking.

Is tandoori chicken spicy?

You control the spice add or omit the chili powder to suit your taste.

How do I get a bright red color naturally?

Use beet root powder or Kashmiri chili in place of food coloring.

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Tandoori Chicken Breast Skewers : Quick and Flavorful Dinner Under 30 Minutes

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Juicy Tandoori Chicken Breast skewers marinated in bold spices and cooked to perfection restaurant flavor in less than 30 minutes.

  • Author: Sara
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Chicken Recipes
  • Method: Air Fryer, Oven, Grill, BBQ
  • Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

650 g (1.4 lb) Chicken breast, diced

1 Lemon, juice

1 tbsp Tomato puree

50 g (0.25 cups) Natural yoghurt

1 tsp Ground coriander

1 tsp Ground cumin

2 tsp Paprika

1/2 tsp Turmeric

1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon

1 tsp Ground ginger

1 tsp Garlic granules

1/2 tsp Chilli powder (optional)

1.5 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Freshly ground black pepper

Red food colouring (optional)

Instructions

1. Mix marinade ingredients (spices, lemon juice, tomato puree, yoghurt).

2. Dice chicken and coat with marinade. Refrigerate for 1-24 hours.

3. Thread chicken pieces onto skewers.

4. For air fryer: Spray oil, cook at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.

5. For oven: Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.

6. For grill or BBQ: Cook over high direct heat for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.

7. Use thermometer to ensure chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F.

8. Rest skewers before serving.

Notes

Marinate chicken for best flavor.

Use beet root powder or Kashmiri chili for natural red color instead of food coloring.

Rest chicken skewers for a few minutes after cooking.

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