Indian · main
Sheet-Pan Tandoori Chicken Thighs
Sheet-Pan Tandoori Chicken Thighs reads citrus 6.8, sourness 6.5 and fruity 4.7 on Palate's 0–10 flavor X-ray — a Indian main, about 1 hr 29 min. Measured from the recipe itself: ingredients and technique.
The flavor X-ray — six axes, 0–10
- Umami & Savory — 4.7 / 10
- Sweet & Fruity — 5.6 / 10
- Sour & Bright — 8.8 / 10
- Bitter & Earthy — 3.5 / 10
- Rich & Fat — 4.2 / 10
- Aromatic & Spice — 4.7 / 10
The measured notes (of 18)
Citrus 6.8 · Sourness 6.5 · Fruity 4.7 · Umami 4.1 · Allium 3.9 · Salinity 3.9 · Richness 3.8 · Heat 3.2 · Warm Spice 3.1 · Sweetness 3.1 · Smoke 2.9 · Funk & Ferment 2.3 · Earthy 2.2 · Herbaceous 1.9 · Floral 1.6 · Bitterness 1.6 · Nutty 1.3
What's in it (16)
- boneless chicken — 907 g
- plain yogurt — 237 g
- lemon juice — 44 g
- garlic — 12 g
- ginger — 15 g
- vegetable oil — 27 g
- smoked paprika — 10 g
- cayenne pepper — 5 g
- cumin — 5 g
- coriander — 1 g
- garam masala — 5 g
- turmeric — 3 g
- salt — 7 g
- red onion — 110 g
- red bell pepper — 100 g
- lemon — 65 g
Time & effort: about 1 hr 29 min (24 min active) · effort: involved
Nutrition (per 100 g, engine-estimated): 111.2 kcal, 19.1 g protein, 2.3 g fat, 3.9 g carbs
Dietary: Contains meat · Contains dairy — engine-derived; double-check anything allergy-critical.
How it's cooked (9 steps)
- Pat the chicken thighs dry, trim any excess fat, and cut larger thighs in half so all pieces are roughly the same size for even cooking.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, 2 tablespoons oil, smoked paprika, cayenne, cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, and salt until smooth.
- Add the chicken to the marinade and toss to coat every piece; cover and marinate in the refrigerator at least 1 hour, up to overnight for deeper flavor.
- When ready to cook, arrange a rack in the top third of the oven and heat to 450°F. Brush a rimmed sheet pan with oil.
- Toss the red onion and bell pepper with a drizzle of oil and a pinch of salt, then spread them over one half of the sheet pan.
- Lift the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and arrange in a single layer on the other half of the pan, spaced so the pieces don't steam each other.
- Roast until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the vegetables are tender, 20 to 22 minutes.
- Switch the oven to broil and broil until the chicken edges are deeply charred in spots, 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely so it doesn't burn.
- Let the chicken rest on the pan for 5 minutes, then squeeze fresh lemon wedges over everything and serve.
Dishes with a similar flavor shape
- Grilled Chicken Tikka Skewers — Indian
- Ground Turkey Shawarma Skillet — Middle Eastern
- Grilled Peri-Peri Chicken — Portuguese
- Chicken Shawarma Grain Bowls with Pickled Onions — Middle Eastern
- Chicken Shawarma Rice Bowls with Garlic Sauce — Middle Eastern
Keep reading: what citrus, sourness, fruity mean in the flavor lexicon · the world's cuisines, by flavor.
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Every number above is Palate's engine-measured estimate, computed from this recipe's ingredients and techniques — not human-tasted ratings or reviews.