Spicy Tandoori Grilled Chicken With Curry Cucumber Sauce Recipes

GRILLED TANDOORI CHICKEN WITH INDIAN-STYLE RICE

Steps:

• Mix all of the marinade ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.
• Use a sharp knife to cut slits into the chicken pieces; this will allow the marinade to really get into the chicken. 3 slits per drumstick and 4 to 5 per thigh should do the trick.
• Usually, Tandoori Chicken calls for the skin to be removed, but I left it on because you want that crispy chicken skin (obviously). You can decide for yourself, but be aware that skin-on chicken is more prone to flare-ups when grilling. You'll have to watch the chicken more closely while it's on the grill and flip the pieces more often to avoid hot spots--all reasonable trade-offs for some extra flavor!
• Place the chicken in a large dish. Spread the marinade all over the chicken and let marinate at least 12 hours, but not more than 2 days. We marinated our chicken for 16 hours, and even more marinating time wouldn't have hurt!
• Be sure to take the chicken out of the refrigerator 3 to 4 hours prior to grilling, so the chicken can come to room temperature--kind of like how you never want to grill a cold steak. This is an important step since there will be marinade on the chicken, and it will burn if the chicken is left too long on the grill because its internal temperature is too low.
• This is a good time to make your Indian-style jeera rice. We've measured out enough rice here to take down all of the chicken, but feel free to make more or less. Wash the rice thoroughly and drain into your cooking vessel. Cover with water and allow to soak for 20 minutes.
• While that's happening, heat your oil/butter/ghee in a saucepan. When it's melted, add the cumin seeds, cloves, and cinnamon stick. Let the spices infuse the oil for 2-3 minutes. After the rice has finished soaking, drain it thoroughly and add it to the spice mixture. Sauté the rice in the pan for about 2 minutes, and transfer to a rice cooker. Add the salt and water (according to your rice cooker directions), and press Start. If you're not using a rice cooker, use our directions for perfect stovetop rice.
• Now it's time to cook the chicken. Start your grill, and keep it covered until it reaches 500 degrees.
• Shake off the excess marinade before placing the chicken on the hot grill. Cook with the grill covered, but stay close to watch for excess smoke, a sure indicator that your chicken is charring!
• Turn the chicken as often as needed to prevent burning and keep the grill cover on so the chicken cooks through quickly. Our chicken took about 45 minutes, and we did have to turn and move the chicken pieces often.
• The chicken is done when the juices run clear when poked or, better yet, use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature near the bone. The optimal temperature for chicken is 165 degrees F.
• For the rice, during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time, add the frozen peas and stir thoroughly. Let the rice reheat. Serve the chicken with the rice, sliced fresh cucumbers, sliced red onion, and cilantro.

SPICY TANDOORI GRILLED CHICKEN WITH CURRY-CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the ginger powder, curry powder, onion powder and cayenne pepper; set aside 2 teaspoons of the mixture.
• To make the brine: In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, salt, sugar and minced garlic; mix to combine until the sugar and salt are dissolved completely.
• Stir in the remaining ginger mixture into buttermilk mixture (keep about 2 teaspoons to flavor the chicken pieces before grilling).
• Place the chicken pieces in a large heavy-duty ziploc freezer bag, and then place in a shallow dish to catch any small leaks.
• Pour the buttermilk brine/ginger mixture mixture over the chicken pieces in the bag.
• Coat the pieces well with the brine.
• Place in refrigerator for 3-4 hours, turning the bag occasionally to distribute the marinade over the chicken.
• When ready to grill, remove the chicken from the bag and discard marinade/brine.
• Sprinkle the chicken with the reserved 2-3 teaspoons of the ginger spice.
• Set grill to medium temperature.
• Place the chicken on the grill and cover with grill lid.
• Cook chicken for about 50-60 minutes.
• To make the curry-cucumber sauce: In a bowl combine all the ingredients; mix well to combine.
• Cover and chill until serving.
• Delicious!

TANDOORI-STYLE CHICKEN WITH CUCUMBER MELON RELISH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk yogurt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, garam masala, salt and pepper flakes until blended. Pour 1 cup marinade into a large bowl. Add chicken; turn to coat. Cover; refrigerate up to 6 hours. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade., For relish, in a small bowl, mix cantaloupe, cucumber, green onions, cilantro, mint and remaining lemon juice., Drain chicken, discarding marinade in bowl. Grill chicken, covered, on a lightly oiled rack over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat until a thermometer reads 165°, 6-8 minutes on each side. Serve with relish and reserved marinade. If desired, sprinkle with almonds.

GREEK CHICKEN AND CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine marinade ingredients and pour over chicken.
• Marinate in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
• Remove chicken from marinade and grill over medium heat for 5 -7 minutes per side.
• Serve with rice, or oven roasted potatoes, and cucumber sauce.
• Makes 4 servings.
• Tip: The marinade can also be used on strips of chicken.
• After marinating, thread the strips onto skewers and grill for 5 - 7 minutes per side.
• CUCUMBER SAUCE:.
• In a strainer mix cucumber and salt and set aside for at least 15 minutes.
• Squeeze excess liquid from cucumber.
• Blend grated cucumber with remaining sauce ingredients and refrigerate until needed.
• Serve with Greek Chicken.
• Tip: If you don't have a strainer put cucumber and salt in a double layer of paper coffee filters.
• Gently squeeze the excess liquid out of the mixture.