Chicken Banjara Tikka – Air Fryer Chicken Tikka turned out better than I expected!
Juicy, unbelievably flavorful and grilled to perfection this Air Fryer Chicken Tikka – Chicken Banjara Tikka is easier than you might think; especially when it starts with a marinade loaded with flavor from spices, ginger, garlic, lemon juice, and cashew nuts.
What ingredients do we need for this recipe?
Boneless chicken breasts or thighs, sesame seeds, raw unsalted cashew nuts, Greek yogurt, ginger garlic paste, lemon juice, serrano peppers, garam masala, ground cumin, ground coriander, red chili powder, oil and salt.
Also, a piece of fast lighting charcoal. Place the charcoal in a stainless steel bowl. Next, light it and drop a spoon of oil on it. The process will enable the charcoal to catch fire and provide a smoky flavor to the chicken. Once the flame subsides the bowl with marinated chicken will have to be covered.
How do we make Chicken Banjara Tikka – Air Fryer Chicken Tikka?
Firstly, dice the chicken to 2-inch cubes.
Next grind the sesame seeds and cashew nuts into a fine paste in a coffee grinder or spice grinder.
Further grind the serrano peppers finely to make a paste. You can add a teaspoon of water to grind.
Furthermore, create the marinade in a large bowl by mixing all the ingredients (ground sesame seeds and cashew nuts, Greek yogurt, ginger garlic paste, lemon juice, ground serrano peppers, garam masala, ground cumin, ground coriander, red chili powder, 2 tbsp oil and salt). Add in the chicken and mix well.
Additionally, place the stainless-steel bowl with coal in the center of the marinated chicken bowl. Light the coal and slowly add oil. It should catch fire.
Once the fire is minimized it will start releasing smoke. Cover the whole marinated chicken bowl with a lid.
This process will impart a smoky flavor to the chicken. Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes to an hour.
When you are ready to cook, grease your air fryer basket with oil. I grease mine by rubbing, brushing, or spraying, a little bit of oil on the bottom grate. Then, follow your air fryer directions for preheating to 350°F for 5 minutes. When it’s preheated, working in batches, place the chicken in a single layer.
Air fry for 18 minutes, at 360°F. When 8 minutes are remaining, flip the chicken gently with tongs and drizzle some oil.
What do I serve this Air Fryer Chicken Tikka – Chicken Banjara Tikka with?
- Served as an appetizer.
- Moreover, it can be served with naan (Indian flat bread) or rice as a part of a meal.
- Additionally, served as a side dish.
- It can also be served in lettuce as a low carb vegetarian wrap.
- Serve it with Coconut Cilantro Chutney
Tried this recipe yet? Give us a rating, comment below in the reply section and let us know what you think.
Moreover, try some of our other air fryer recipes:
Air Fryer Spicy Tandoori Chicken
Chicken Banjara Tikka – Air Fryer Chicken Tikka
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless chicken (breasts or thighs)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 3 tbsp cashew nuts (raw and unsalted)
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 3/4 tbsp ginger garlic paste (either freshly minced in equal quantities or store bought)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
- 2 tsp serrano peppers (small, 3 to 4) (hari mirch minced)
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 3/4 tbsp ground cumin (jeera powder)
- 1 tsp ground coriander (dhaniya powder)
- 2 and 1/4 tsp red chili powder (cayenne pepper)
- 3.5 tbsp oil of choice (divided)
- 1 and 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 piece fast light charcoal
Instructions
Prep
- Firstly, dice the chicken to 2-inch cubes.
- Next grind the sesame seeds and cashew nuts into a fine in a coffee grinder or spice grinder.
- Grind the serrano peppers finely to make a paste. You can add a teaspoon of water to grind.
- Create the marinade in a large bowl by mixing all the ingredients (ground sesame seeds and cashew nuts, Greek yogurt, ginger garlic paste, lemon juice, ground serrano peppers, garam masala, ground cumin, ground coriander, red chili powder, 2 tbsp oil and salt). Add in the chicken and mix well.
- Additionally, place the stainless-steel bowl with coal in the center of the marinated chicken bowl. Light the coal and slowly add oil. It should catch fire.
- Once the fire is minimized it will start releasing smoke. Cover the whole marinated chicken bowl with a lid. Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes to an hour.
Cook
- When you are ready to cook, grease your air fryer basket with oil. I grease mine by rubbing, brushing, or spraying, a little bit of oil on the bottom grate.
- Then, follow your air fryer directions for preheating to 350°F for 5 minutes.
- When it’s preheated, working in batches, place the chicken in a single layer.
- Air fry for 18 minutes, at 360°F. When 8 minutes are remaining, flip the chicken gently with tongs and drizzle some oil. Close the basket and complete the cooking process.
- Enjoy hot with cilantro chutney.
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This looks absolutely scrumptious!!
Thank you! Please try it out and let us know how you like it