If you’re craving something rich, smoky, and bursting with bold Indian flavors, this Homemade Butter Garlic Tandoori Chicken is a must-try. A beautiful twist on the traditional tandoori chicken, this dish elevates the classic recipe by blending in the richness of garlic-infused butter, creating a fusion that’s buttery, spicy, garlicky, and utterly delicious.
What makes this butter garlic chicken recipe so irresistible is its perfect balance of heat and depth. The chicken is marinated in a yogurt-based tandoori mix laced with aromatic spices like garam masala, cumin, and Kashmiri red chili powder for that signature red hue. After hours of marination, the chicken is either grilled, baked, or air-fried until charred and juicy.
But the real magic happens when the hot, crispy chicken is slathered with sizzling garlic butter – enhancing the smoky, grilled flavors with savory richness. Garnished with chopped coriander, onion rings, and lemon wedges, this Indian grilled chicken is a crowd-pleaser for both casual dinners and festive occasions.
This dish combines the traditional charm of Punjabi tandoori with the indulgence of modern garlic-butter flavor. It’s perfect as a chicken starter recipe, main course, or BBQ treat, and is sure to become a favorite in your homemade chicken recipe rotation.
Table of Homemade Butter Garlic Tandoori Chicken Recipe
📜 A Bit of History
Tandoori chicken is one of India’s most celebrated culinary exports. Originating from the Punjab region during the Mughal era, it gained popularity in the 1940s, thanks to Kundan Lal Gujral, the man behind the legendary Moti Mahal restaurant in Delhi. Traditionally marinated in yogurt and spices, then roasted in a clay oven (tandoor), the dish was a hit for its smoky aroma and succulent texture.
The Homemade Butter Garlic Tandoori Chicken is a delicious twist on this heritage dish, infusing it with creamy butter and pungent garlic for a richer flavor that balances spice with smoothness.
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Butter Meets Spice: Homemade Butter Garlic Tandoori Chicken Recipe for Food Lovers
Description
Discover the irresistible fusion of classic North Indian tandoori flavors with rich, buttery garlic goodness in this Homemade Butter Garlic Tandoori Chicken recipe. Perfect for family dinners or small gatherings, this dish offers a restaurant-style experience right from your kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
For Butter Garlic Mix:
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, and all the dry spices. Mix well to form a thick paste.
- Make shallow cuts on the chicken pieces. Coat them evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
- Preheat your oven to 220°C (428°F). Line a tray with foil, place a rack on top, and arrange the marinated chicken. Brush lightly with oil.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning once midway, until the chicken is cooked through and charred at the edges. You can also use a grill or tandoor.
- In a small pan, melt the butter and sauté chopped garlic on low flame until golden and fragrant. Add crushed black pepper and chili flakes. Turn off the heat and mix in chopped coriander.
- Once the chicken is done, brush generously with the garlic butter mix. Serve hot with lemon wedges, onion rings, and green chutney.
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
Step 3: Grill or Bake
Step 4: Prepare Butter Garlic Topping
Step 5: Serve with Flair
Notes
- For smokiness, place a hot charcoal piece in a bowl with the cooked chicken, pour ghee on it, and cover for 2 minutes.
- If using a pan, cook on medium-high flame, cover and turn often.
- You can replace butter with ghee for a nuttier flavor.
- Pair with naan, roti, or jeera rice for a complete meal.
🕒 Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marination Time: Minimum 4 hours (preferably overnight)
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
🔥 Cooking Method
- Primary Method: Grilled or Oven-baked (Tandoori style)
- Alternative Method: Pan-grilled or Air-fried
🔥 Calories & Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~320 kcal
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 4g
(Note: Approximate values, may vary based on ingredients used)
🌏 Cuisine
- Cuisine Type: North Indian, Fusion
- Course: Appetizer / Main Course
- Meal Type: Dinner / Weekend Treat
🥗 Recipe Dietary
- High-Protein
- Gluten-Free
- Low-Carb Friendly
- Not vegan or vegetarian
🌍 Popularity & Where It’s Eaten
This fusion dish is a favorite in modern Indian households and popular across urban restaurants, BBQ joints, and food trucks. It’s loved in metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, and also by Indian food lovers in the UK, Canada, and the USA.
Flavors on Fire: The Bold Fusion of Butter, Garlic & Tandoori
This Homemade Butter Garlic Tandoori Chicken recipe is a sizzling celebration of bold North Indian spices and indulgent buttery richness. By combining the traditional yogurt-marinated, spice-rubbed tandoori chicken with a luxurious garlic-butter glaze, this dish delivers smoky, garlicky, and melt-in-your-mouth flavor in every bite. Oven-baked or grilled to perfection, the chicken turns out juicy and charred, while the final buttery garlic drizzle elevates it to a gourmet-level experience.
Perfect for family dinners, festive feasts, or weekend treats, it’s a fusion recipe that blends heritage with comfort. Whether served as a main course or a party starter, this dish is guaranteed to impress.
