• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Ahead of Thyme logo

  • Home
  • About
    • About Me
    • Work With Us
    • Press
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Resources
    • Food Blogger Business School
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Resources
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Chicken » Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks

    Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks

    2 Comments

    1K Shares
    Pin1K
    Yum16
    Share
    Tweet2
    More
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Tandoori chicken drumsticks are crispy on the outside, juicy and tender inside, and packed with delicious flavor. This easy dinner is a traditional Indian meal that is typically made in a tandoor oven, but we have adapted it to an easy-to-make at home dinner that you can cook in the oven, stovetop, or on the grill. With quick prep and just a few dishes, this will become a staple on busy weeknights. Plus, if you marinate the chicken in advance, it will absorb more delicious flavor and will just require a simple pop into the oven. So simple and tasty.

    Tandoori chicken drumsticks are crispy outside, juicy and tender inside, and packed with flavor. An easy dinner to make in the oven, stovetop, or grill. | aheadofthyme.com

    Why You'll Love Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks

    • Easy to make. Tandoori chicken drumsticks are easy to make. It takes just a couple minutes to throw the marinade together and coat the chicken. Once marinated, you just pop them into the oven. It's a serious low-maintenance meal that even first time cooks can succeed at well.
    • Packed with flavor. The delicious marinade is what gives these drumsticks its iconic flavor. It's loaded with spices like turmeric, cumin, ginger, and garam masala. Plus, we recommend making a few shallow cuts in the meat to allow the flavor to infuse even better.
    • Great on their own or with sides. These easy tandoori chicken drumsticks are a delicious meal on their own, or can be paired well with so many sides. Some of my favorites to pair this with are Garlic Naan Bread, Basmati Rice, or roasted vegetables such as Roasted Cauliflower, Honey Roasted Carrots, Roasted Garlic Green Beans, or Garlic Parmesan Baby Potatoes.
    Tandoori chicken drumsticks are crispy outside, juicy and tender inside, and packed with flavor. An easy dinner to make in the oven, stovetop, or grill. | aheadofthyme.com

    Ingredients

    To make these easy and delicious tandoori chicken drumsticks, you need the following ingredients:

    • chicken drumsticks - You need about 3 lbs. or 10 drumsticks. I keep the skin on because crispy skin is everything. You can remove the skin if you prefer, but the texture may be slightly drier.
    • salt and pepper
    • garlic powder
    • ginger root powder
    • ground turmeric
    • ground cumin
    • garam masala
    • paprika - People often add red food coloring to get a deep red color in the tandoori chicken. We use some paprika to help add that coloring instead. For a deeper red color, feel free to add some red food coloring.
    • olive oil
    • lemon juice
    • plain Greek yogurt
    • fresh cilantro - optional, for garnish.

    You also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl, and half sheet baking pan.

    Tandoori chicken drumsticks are crispy outside, juicy and tender inside, and packed with flavor. An easy dinner to make in the oven, stovetop, or grill. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Make the Best Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks

    1. Prep the chicken. Use a paper towel to pat dry the chicken drumsticks completely before adding seasoning. Score each drumstick with a knife to make 2-3 shallow cuts, about ¼-inch deep. This helps the chicken soak in all the flavors.
    2. Marinate the chicken. In a small mixing bowl, combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, ginger root powder, turmeric, cumin, garam masala, and paprika. Mix well with a spoon until evenly distributed. Rub the seasoning all over the chicken to coat evenly including in between the cuts.
    3. Refrigerate. Place chicken drumsticks into a zip-loc bag. Add in all the wet ingredients including oil, lemon juice, and yogurt and stir well to combine. Press the air out of the bag and seal tightly. Press the marinade around the chicken drumsticks to coat. Place bag in the refrigerator and marinate for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
    4. Cook the chicken. You can cook the chicken in the oven, on the stovetop, or on the grill.
      1. To cook in the oven: Preheat the oven to 400F. Arrange the marinated chicken drumsticks on a large half sheet baking pan and bake for 40-45 minutes until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature for the chicken reaches 165 F. Turn over once halfway through baking. Turn the broiler on high and and cook until nicely charred, about 5 more minutes.
      2. To pan fry: Heat 1 tablespoon cooking oil in a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat for 2 minutes until the hot oil sizzles and shimmers. Sear the drumsticks in batches for 6-8 minutes on each side until cooked through and nicely charred. The internal temperature for the chicken should reach 165 F.
      3. To grill: Preheat the grill to high heat for at least 5 minutes. Place the chicken drumsticks on the grill and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side until nicely charred and the internal temperature for the chicken reaches 165 F. Flip occasionally to avoid overcooking.
    5. Serve. Let the drumsticks rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle with extra lemon juice and garnish with cilantro.
    Tandoori chicken drumsticks are crispy outside, juicy and tender inside, and packed with flavor. An easy dinner to make in the oven, stovetop, or grill. | aheadofthyme.com

    Storing Instructions

    • How to store: Allow the chicken drumsticks to cool to room temperature, then transfer to a shallow airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • How to reheat: Reheat uncovered in a 325 F preheated oven for about 20 minutes until warmed through. You can brush or spray them with oil for extra crispy skin. You can also reheat them in the microwave (in increments of 20 seconds until heated all the way through), but they retain their taste and texture better when reheated in the oven.
    • How to freeze: Allow the cooked chicken drumsticks to cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. Eliminate as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
    Tandoori chicken drumsticks are crispy outside, juicy and tender inside, and packed with flavor. An easy dinner to make in the oven, stovetop, or grill. | aheadofthyme.com

    More Chicken Recipes

    • 60 Best Chicken Recipes
    • Baked Curried Chicken Drumsticks
    • Indian Butter Chicken
    • Tandoori Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
    • Sheet Pan Curry Chicken and Vegetables
    • Baked Queso Chicken
    • Chicken Marsala

    Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

    Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter so that you don't miss any recipes. You can also follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more recipe updates.

    Print

    Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Tandoori chicken drumsticks are crispy outside, juicy and tender inside, and packed with flavor. An easy dinner to make in the oven, stovetop, or grill. | aheadofthyme.com

    Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    4.5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
    • Total Time: 2 hours
    • Yield: 10 drumsticks
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Tandoori chicken drumsticks are crispy outside, juicy and tender inside, and packed with flavor. An easy dinner to make in the oven, stovetop, or grill.


    Ingredients

    • 3 lb. chicken drumsticks (about 10 pieces)
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon ginger root powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala
    • 1 teaspoon paprika (for colouring)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 3 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 freshly squeezed lemon)
    • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
    • 1 teaspoon fresh cilantro, finely chopped (for garnish)

    Instructions

    1. Use a paper towel to pat dry the chicken drumsticks completely before adding seasoning. Score each drumstick with a knife to make 2-3 shallow cuts, about ¼-inch deep. This helps the chicken soak in all the flavors.
    2. In a small mixing bowl, combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, ginger root powder, turmeric, cumin, garam masala, and paprika. Mix well with a spoon until evenly distributed. Rub the seasoning all over the chicken to coat evenly including in between the cuts.
    3. Place chicken drumsticks into a zip-loc bag. Add in all the wet ingredients including oil, lemon juice, and yogurt and stir well to combine. Press the air out of the bag and seal tightly. Press the marinade around the chicken drumsticks to coat. Place bag in the refrigerator and marinate for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
    4. You can cook the chicken in the oven, on the stovetop, or on the grill.
      1. To cook in the oven: Preheat the oven to 400F. Arrange the marinated chicken drumsticks on a large half sheet baking pan and bake for 40-45 minutes until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature for the chicken reaches 165 F. Turn over once halfway through baking. Turn the broiler on high and and cook until nicely charred, about 5 more minutes.
      2. To pan fry: Heat 1 tablespoon cooking oil in a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat for 2 minutes until the hot oil sizzles and shimmers. Sear the drumsticks in batches for 6-8 minutes on each side until cooked through and nicely charred. The internal temperature for the chicken should reach 165 F.
      3. To grill: Preheat the grill to high heat for at least 5 minutes. Place the chicken drumsticks on the grill and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side until nicely charred and the internal temperature for the chicken reaches 165 F. Flip occasionally to avoid overcooking.
    5. Let the drumsticks rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle with extra lemon juice and garnish with cilantro.
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Marinate Time: 1 hour
    • Cook Time: 45 minutes
    • Category: Chicken
    • Method: Various
    • Cuisine: Indian

    Did you make this recipe?

    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    Tandoori chicken drumsticks are crispy outside, juicy and tender inside, and packed with flavor. An easy dinner to make in the oven, stovetop, or grill. | aheadofthyme.com
    Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks
    1K Shares
    Pin1K
    Yum16
    Share
    Tweet2
    More
    « Asian Chopped Salad
    Glazed Lemon Blueberry Scones »

    Stay Updated

    Subscribe now to receive all the latest recipes, tips and news directly to your inbox.
    * indicates required
    How often would you like to receive recipe updates

    Food Blogger Business School | foodbloggerbusinessschool.com

    Food Blogger Business School

    A step-by-step program that teaches food bloggers how to grow and scale their blogs into a full-time business

    in less time and without posting endless content until you burn out.

    LEARN MORE

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ariel says

      October 02, 2024 at 6:45 pm

      Made this according to the recipe a first time and enjoyed them.

      Made a second time with chicken thighs on the grill and these were 🔥 !!!

      Reply
    2. Robin says

      February 21, 2023 at 4:23 pm

      Oh My God! This is the best chicken tandoori we've ever had - this will be on repeat on our menu for sure! I felt it was better than the indian take-out we picked up on the weekend. Tonight hubby was still at the stove picking at the pan 20 minutes after he was supposed to have started the dishes 😎 - not complaining, just shows how much he loved it. <3

      Reply

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome!

    Quick and easy recipes for the everyday home cook, using fresh, seasonal and wholesome ingredients -- from healthy meals to take-out to comfort foods. | aheadofthyme.com

    Hi, we're Sam and Dan! We like to help busy people eat real food that tastes good. Here, you can find hundreds of delicious, quick and easy recipes, using quality and wholesome ingredients. Read more about us

    Stay Updated

    Subscribe now to receive all the latest recipes, tips and news directly to your inbox.
    * indicates required
    How often would you like to receive recipe updates

    Food Blogger Business School | foodbloggerbusinessschool.com

    Food Blogger Business School

    A step-by-step program that teaches food bloggers how to grow and scale their blogs into a full-time business

    in less time and without posting endless content until you burn out.

    LEARN MORE

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About Ahead of Thyme

    Hello and welcome! I'm Sam -- the founder of Ahead of Thyme, where we help busy people eat real food that tastes good. Here, you will find hundreds of delicious, quick and easy recipes, using quality and wholesome ingredients. So stay a while, browse around, and make something tasty for dinner tonight.

    • RSS Feed
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Work with Us
    • Shop
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • Food Blogger Business School
    • Newsletter

    Browse

    • 60+ Easy Dinners
    • 60+ Chicken Recipes
    • 25+ Ground Beef Recipes
    • 40+ Pasta Recipes
    • 50+ Bread Recipes
    • 25+ Air Fryer Recipes
    • Dessert

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.

    Copyright © 2023 Ahead of Thyme Incorporated