Grilled Tandoori-Style Chicken Legs Recipe

Classic tandoori chicken is traditionally marinated in yogurt, lemon juice, and plenty of spices. In fact, the term tandoor refers to a clay oven that generates an intense heat. Fortunately, you won't need a clay oven to make this recipe - a regular grill will work just fine.

To make a dairy-free version of tandoori, swap out the yogurt for coconut milk and pack in the spices. Speaking of spices, garam masala is a blend of ground spices that you should be able to locate at your grocery store; it's made of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, bay leaf, cumin and other warm spices.

Plan ahead for this recipe: marinate the chicken mid-morning and allow the chicken legs to soak in the flavors and spices for 5-6 hours, if possible. The grilled chicken covered in creamy coconut milk and warm spices will truly be worth the wait! Serve alongside a salad or vegetable dish!

Grilled Tandoori-Style Chicken Legs Recipe

Serves: 4 Prep: 15 min Cook: 1 h

Ingredients

• 6 whole chicken legs, skinless
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. ground turmeric
• 1 tsp. cayenne
• 1 tbsp. garam masala
• 1 tbsp. paprika
• 2 tbsp. coconut oil
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

1. Pour olive oil into a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the cumin, turmeric, cayenne, garam masala, and paprika; cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring the whole time.
3. Remove the skillet from heat and let cool.
4. Pour the coconut milk, lemon juice, garlic, and ginger into the skillet and stir.
5. Place chicken in a bowl or container and pour the coconut milk sauce over the chicken. Let the chicken marinade for 45 minutes to 6 hours.
6. Prepare the grill for indirect cooking and remove the chicken from the marinade.
7. Grill chicken over direct high heat for 4 to 5 minutes, then place over indirect heat.
8. Cover and cook for another 40 to 45 minutes, covered.
9. Finish the cooking over direct heat for another 2 to 3 minutes per side.

📖 Recipe

Grilled Tandoori-Style Chicken Legs Recipe

A classic grilled tandoori chicken recipe made with creamy coconut milk and a collection of warm, Indian-inspired spices!

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Servings 4 people

Calories 634 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 6 whole chicken legs skinless
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• 4 garlic cloves minced
• 1 tbsp. fresh ginger minced
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. ground turmeric
• 1 tsp. cayenne
• 1 tbsp. garam masala
• 1 tbsp. paprika
• 2 tbsp. coconut oil
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

 

• Pour olive oil into a skillet over medium heat.
  2 tbsp. coconut oil
• Add the cumin, turmeric, cayenne, garam masala, and paprika; cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring the whole time.
  1 tsp. ground coriander, 1 tsp. ground cumin, 1 tsp. ground turmeric, 1 tsp. cayenne, 1 tbsp. garam masala, 1 tbsp. paprika, Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Remove the skillet from heat and let cool.
• Pour the coconut milk, lemon juice, garlic, and ginger into the skillet and stir.
  1 cup coconut milk, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, 4 garlic cloves, 1 tbsp. fresh ginger
• Place chicken in a bowl or container and pour the coconut milk sauce over the chicken. Let the chicken marinade for 45 minutes to 6 hours.
  6 whole chicken legs
• Prepare the grill for indirect cooking and remove the chicken from the marinade.
• Grill chicken over direct high heat for 4 to 5 minutes, then place over indirect heat.
• Cover and cook for another 40 to 45 minutes, covered.
• Finish the cooking over direct heat for another 2 to 3 minutes per side.

Nutrition

Calories: 634kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 35gFat: 52gSaturated Fat: 25gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 180mgSodium: 179mgPotassium: 729mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2527IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 6mg

Keyword chicken leg, grilled chicken, tandoori

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