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Zero-Oil Air-Fryer Tandoori Chicken

Recipe by Mr. Dots on InstagramAdded 12 November 2026.

15 minutes to prep, 25 to cook. A bold, zero‑oil Tandoori chicken cooked in an air‑fryer, delivering juicy, spicy flavor with a protein‑packed punch. The double‑marinade technique keeps the meat tender while keeping calories low, perfect for a healthy dinner or meal‑prep.

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Method

  1. Make shallow slits in the chicken thighs so the marinades can penetrate.

  2. Combine ginger garlic paste, salt, and lemon juice; coat the chicken and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

  3. Mix yogurt with coriander powder, turmeric, chilli powder, cumin powder, and black pepper; apply this second marinade to the chicken and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to overnight.

  4. Preheat the air‑fryer to 400°F. Air‑fry the chicken for about 15 minutes, flip the pieces, then continue cooking for another 10 minutes until fully cooked and slightly charred.

  5. Remove from the air‑fryer, serve hot, and enjoy.

Tips while you cook

Score the chicken
Make shallow slits in the thighs before marinating to let the sauce penetrate.
Layered marination
Refrigerate with the first ginger‑garlic‑lemon mix for 30 minutes, then add the yogurt‑spice blend and chill at least 2 hours.
Flip for even char
After 15 minutes of air‑frying, flip the pieces before the final 10‑minute cook.
Preheat the air‑fryer
Set the air‑fryer to 200 °C before loading the chicken.

Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.

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Mr. Dots made this.

The recipe comes from Mr. Dots’s Instagram reel. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.

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