Description
Delicious and easy-to-make air-fryer chicken tikka kebabs marinated in yogurt and tikka masala curry paste, served with warm naan bread and vibrant accompaniments like mango chutney and raita. Perfect for a flavorful and healthy meal with minimal fuss and quick cooking time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 3–4 chicken breasts (about 600g), cut into bite-size pieces
- 150g natural yogurt, plus extra to serve (optional)
- 2 tbsp tikka masala curry paste
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed or finely grated
- Thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and grated
To Serve
- 2 large naans (round naans preferred)
- Handful of coriander, chopped
- Your choice of mango chutney, lime pickle, diced cucumber, raita, or crumbled bhaji
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine the bite-sized chicken pieces with 150g of natural yogurt, 2 tablespoons of tikka masala curry paste, crushed garlic cloves, and grated ginger. Mix thoroughly until all chicken pieces are evenly coated. Cover and leave to marinate for at least 20 minutes, or for best results, chill overnight to allow flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) and allow it to preheat for a few minutes, ensuring it reaches the optimal temperature for cooking the chicken evenly and quickly.
- Thread chicken onto skewers: Carefully thread the marinated chicken pieces onto 4 to 8 skewers depending on their length and the size of your air fryer basket. Use longer skewers if your air fryer can accommodate them; otherwise, use shorter skewers or cut them in half. This helps the chicken cook uniformly and allows easy flipping.
- Cook the chicken in the air fryer: Place the skewers in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are spaced adequately for air circulation. Cook for approximately 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time to achieve even browning and thorough cooking. Alternatively, if you prefer or lack skewers, air fry the chicken pieces individually in batches, turning halfway until cooked through.
- Warm the naans: Heat the naans according to the package instructions. Microwaving is recommended for softening them, making them easier to wrap around the chicken. Alternatively, splash the naans with a little water and toast them lightly for a warm, slightly crispy texture.
- Assemble and serve: Place warm naans on serving plates, top with the cooked chicken tikka kebabs, sprinkle chopped coriander, and drizzle additional natural yogurt if desired. Serve alongside your preferred accompaniments such as mango chutney, lime pickle, diced cucumber, raita, or crumbled bhaji for a vibrant and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight intensifies the flavor and tenderizes the meat.
- Use natural yogurt for a creamy marinade that balances the spices.
- Ensure skewers are soaked in water for 30 minutes if wooden to prevent burning in the air fryer.
- Adjust cooking time based on the thickness of chicken pieces and your air fryer model.
- Serve with fresh coriander and cool yogurt-based sides to balance the spice.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes (including marinating time, minimum 20 minutes)
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: chicken tikka, air fryer recipe, Indian chicken, kebabs, quick dinner, healthy chicken recipe, naan, summer grilling alternative
