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Air Fryer Whole Tandoori Chicken

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Air Fryer Whole Tandoori Chicken is a bold‑flavored, Indian‑inspired dish where a whole chicken is marinated in spiced yogurt and cooked in the air fryer until the skin is crisp and the meat is juicy.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken (about 3‑4 lbs), skin on
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or chili powder (optional, for heat)
  • 1½ teaspoons salt (or to taste)
  • Cooking oil or spray (for air fryer basket)
  • Fresh cilantro or lemon wedges (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Clean the chicken and pat it dry. Make shallow slits all over the meat so the marinade penetrates deeply.
  2. In a bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cayenne, and salt until smooth.
  3. Rub the marinade generously over the entire chicken, getting into the slits and the cavity. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 360 °F (180 °C) for about 5 minutes.
  5. Lightly oil the air fryer basket. Place the whole chicken inside **breast‑side down**. Cook for 30 minutes.
  6. After 30 minutes, carefully flip the chicken so the breast side is up, then cook another 15–20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads 165 °F (75 °C) at the thickest part.
  7. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

  • For richer flavor, use Greek yogurt instead of plain. The thicker yogurt helps the spices adhere better.
  • To make it spicier, increase the cayenne or add chopped green chilies.
  • If you want a smoky flavor without a grill, use smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika.
  • For faster cooking and more even crispiness, spatchcock (butterfly) the chicken rather than cooking whole.
  • Leftover chicken works beautifully in wraps, salads, or sandwiches.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbymaya.com/air-fryer-whole-tandoori-chicken/