Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe (2024)

This whole roasted chicken tikka recipe features an entire spatchco*ck chicken infused with savory flavor from a creamy yogurt marinade. Seared, baked, and broiled, it’s crisp on the outside yet tender and juicy in the center.

Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

  • What Is Chicken Tikka?
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • Skip the Takeout with the Best Chicken Tikka Recipe You’ll Ever Taste
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Common Questions About This Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe
  • More Fantastic Chicken Recipes
  • Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe

What Is Chicken Tikka?

Chicken tikka is a type of chicken dish that is popular in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom. Typically, chicken tikka is made with boneless pieces of chicken marinaded in a spiced yogurt mixture.

Then, they are threaded onto skewers and cooked over charcoal. This recipe features the same yogurt marinade but uses a whole chicken. We bake it in the oven to keep things simple while retaining the juicy consistency of the meat and bold flavors!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions for this recipe. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!

  • Chicken – Use a whole spatchco*ck chicken.
  • Yogurt – Plain, full-fat yogurt forms the base of the marinade, tenderizing the chicken and infusing it with a tangy flavor.
  • Olive Oil – Similar to the yogurt, this helps tenderize the chicken and creates a smooth marinade.
  • Seasonings – Garam masala, smoked paprika, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper create the warm, bold flavor we look for in chicken tikka recipes.
  • Aromatics – Fresh garlic cloves and grated ginger add a tangy, subtly sweet flavor.
  • Tomato Paste – Adds extra depth to the marinade.
  • Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed is best! The acidity cuts through some of the heaviness of the fats and balances the warm flavors.
Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe (2)
Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe (3)

Skip the Takeout with the Best Chicken Tikka Recipe You’ll Ever Taste

  1. Prepare the marinade. Combine all the ingredients (except the chicken) in a large bowl, whisking until smooth.
  2. Spatchco*ck the chicken. Remove the backbone from the chicken, and flatten it down.
  3. Season the chicken. Use a sharp knife to make deep slits on both sides of the chicken. Place the chicken in a large dish or sealable bag, and pour the marinade on top.
  4. Marinate the chicken. Massage the chicken, making sure the marinade gets into the slits. Cover the chicken, and transfer it to the fridge.
  5. Warm. Allow the chicken to sit out at room temperature.
  6. Cook. Heat a grill pan or skillet over high heat. Then, add the chicken skin-side down, and cook until charred. Flip the chicken over, and sear the other side.
  7. Bake. Transfer the chicken to a baking dish, and cover it tightly with aluminum foil. Transfer the chicken to a preheated oven, and bake until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  8. Broil. Remove the foil, and broil the chicken until the skin is brown and crisp. Be careful not to burn!
  9. Serve. Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes. Then, slice, and serve.

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03/13/2024 06:04 am GMT

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Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe (8)

Serving Suggestions

Chicken tikka is commonly served with a side of white rice. However, it’s also fantastic with options like:

  • Turmeric Rice
  • Egyptian Baked Rice
  • Cucumber and Tomato Salad
  • Spiraled Yogurt Cucumber Salad
  • Pita Bread

And don’t forget to add a sauce like tzatziki or toum for even more flavor!

Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe (9)

Common Questions About This Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe

What’s the difference between chicken tikka and chicken tikka masala?

Chicken tikka is typically pieces of meat that are marinated in a yogurt mixture and grilled or roasted. Tikka masala is made by cooking chunks of marinated meat in a spicy, tomato-based sauce.

What does chicken tikka taste like?

Chicken tikka is warm, savory, slightly spicy, and creamy. It’s truly a unique combination of pungent, earthy, and sweet flavors!

What is chicken tikka vs tandoori?

The primary difference is the cut of meat used. For instance, skinless, boneless pieces of chicken breast typically form kebabs. Meanwhile half, whole chicken, legs, breasts, and wings can be used for tandoori.

Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe (10)

More Fantastic Chicken Recipes

  • How to Cook a Whole Chicken
  • The Best Baked Tandoori Chicken
  • Middle Eastern Chicken and Potatoes
  • One Pot Chicken and Orzo

Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe (11)

Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka

5 from 5 votes

Author: Food Dolls

Servings: 6 servings

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr

Marinade Time: 12 hours hrs

Total: 13 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Save Pin Print

Make this whole roasted chicken tikka recipe in the oven for a juicy, flavorful chicken dish perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd!

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons garam masala
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 teaspoons grated ginger
  • 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 whole chicken spatchco*cked (backbone removed and flattened)

Instructions

Prepare Marinade:

  • In a large bowl, combine yogurt, olive oil, garam masala, smoked paprika, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, minced garlic, grated ginger, tomato paste, and lemon juice. Mix until well combined.

    3/4 cup plain yogurt, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 Tablespoons garam masala, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 3 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 4 garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons grated ginger, 2 Tablespoons tomato paste, 2 Tablespoons lemon juice

    Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe (12)

Marinate Chicken:

  • Spatchco*ck the whole chicken by removing the backbone and flattening it.

    1 whole chicken

  • Using a sharp knife, make deep slits on both sides of the chicken.

    Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe (13)

  • Place the spatchco*cked chicken in a large dish or resealable plastic bag.

  • Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it’s well coated. Massage the marinade into the chicken, making sure it penetrates into the slits.

    Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe (14)

  • Cover the dish or seal the bag, and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator overnight, allowing the flavors to meld.

  • Season with a 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to taste.

Cooking:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).

  • Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator, and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.

  • Heat a grill pan or skillet over high heat. Once hot, place the chicken skin-side down and cook for a few minutes until nicely charred.

  • Flip the chicken over and sear the other side for a few minutes.

  • Transfer the chicken to a baking dish or oven-safe skillet. Cover the dish tightly with foil.

  • Place the covered chicken in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (75 degrees Celsius) and the juices run clear.

  • Remove the foil, and switch the oven to broil. Broil the chicken for a few minutes until the skin is crisp and browned, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Serve:

  • Once done, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before carving.

    Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe (15)

  • Serve the spatchco*cked tikka chicken with sides of choice, and enjoy!

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this recipe?Please leave a comment!

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Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe (22)

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Welcome to Food Dolls! We’re so glad you found us. We are Alia and Radwa, sisters who want to share simple and easy recipes with you. We hope you find recipes here that you enjoy making as much as we do!Learn moreabout us!

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Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between chicken tikka and tandoori chicken? ›

Chicken tikka kebab requires skinless and boneless chunks of chicken necessarily taken from breast. On the other hand, chicken tandoori can be made with both half and full chicken. Most of the time, legs, breasts, and wings are used for preparing tandoori. The delicacy is not boneless.

What makes chicken tikka red? ›

That bright red sadly comes from Food Dyes like Red 40. Growing up, I never even realized this, but in recent years when I picked up a jar of pre-mixed Tandoori spice blend and read the ingredients – there it was – Red 40 right in the ingredient listing.

How do you get the most meals out of a whole chicken? ›

Turn the chicken breast-side up, then press down firmly on the breastbone to flatten and open out the chicken.
  1. Meal 1: Spatchco*cked roast chicken with orzo and roast vegetables. ...
  2. Meal 2: Chicken, leek and ham pasties. ...
  3. Meal 3 Freekeh, chicken and pomegranate salad. ...
  4. Meal 4: Chicken and mango coconut curry.

Which is healthier, tandoori chicken or chicken tikka? ›

Chicken tikka is packed with protein, fibre, fat, and carbohydrates. It contains 0.7 grams of fibre, 4.2 grams of protein, and 5 grams of net carbs. On the other hand, Chicken tandoori is enriched with protein, fibre, and carbohydrates. It has 8.7 grams of net carbs, 1.8 grams of fibre, and 17.5 grams of protein.

Which is better chicken tikka or butter chicken? ›

Tikka Masala is the better option if you are looking for a lower-fat and calorie dish. However, suppose you are looking for a dish that is milder in spiciness and has a sweeter taste. In that case, Butter Chicken is the better choice.

Is a chicken tikka masala unhealthy? ›

Skip: Chicken Tikka Masala

But like many Indian dishes that were originally low fat, the modern recipe for chicken tikka masala is anything but. An average portion has whopping 1,249 calories and 90.8 grams of fat. A lot of that comes from the ghee and heavy cream.

What veggies go well with tikka masala? ›

Vegetables – there are so many vegetables that go well with tikka masala. Use 2 cups of your favourite fresh or frozen vegetables. I use a mix of knobby cauliflower florets, diced carrot or sweet potato and frozen peas. Spinach leaves are a great addition too, or even a can of lentils or chickpeas for added protein.

Are butter chicken and tikka masala the same? ›

Butter chicken is not chicken tikka masala. They are two completely different dishes altogether. While both are creamy curries with chicken as their main ingredient, butter chicken typically has more cream added to it than its spicy cuisine.

What is the difference between tikka and tikka masala? ›

Chicken tikka is a dry dish, whereas tikka masala is a sauce-based dish. Chicken tikka is typically served as an appetizer or snack, whereas tikka masala is served as a main course. Additionally, the flavour profile of the two dishes is quite distinct.

What is special about chicken tikka? ›

It is traditionally small pieces of boneless chicken baked using skewers on a brazier called angeethi or over charcoal after marinating in Indian spices and dahi (yogurt)—essentially a boneless version of tandoori chicken.

What part of a whole chicken takes the longest to cook? ›

Dark meat, such as chicken thighs or legs, will take longer to cook, because they have a higher fat content and density.

Can you eat a whole chicken everyday? ›

While chicken can be a versatile and convenient protein to cook, if your diet doesn't have a diverse protein profile, you lose out on some key nutrients—including essential fats, such as omega-3s. "Eating chicken every day as your sole protein source could result in some nutrient gaps," says Burgess.

How many will one whole chicken feed? ›

A whole 3 to 4-pound chicken will feed 4 to 6 people, depending on ages and appetite. For Cornish game hens, which are very small chickens, count on one small (1.25 pounds) game hen per person or half of a larger (2-pound) game hen.

Is tandoori chicken the same as chicken tikka masala? ›

In fact, the word “tikka” means “small pieces.” This favorite dish is marinated in yogurt and spices before being cooked in a tandoor oven. The most significant difference between chicken tikka and chicken tandoori is that chicken tikka is first cut off the bones and divided up into small pieces.

Is chicken tikka a tandoori dish? ›

It is traditionally small pieces of boneless chicken baked using skewers on a brazier called angeethi or over charcoal after marinating in Indian spices and dahi (yogurt)—essentially a boneless version of tandoori chicken.

What does tandoori taste like? ›

What does tandoori taste like? Tandoori tastes spicy and flavorful, with a slightly smoky taste due to the high heat of the tandoor. The spices used in tandoori dishes, such as cumin, coriander, garam masala, and turmeric, give them a warm, aromatic flavor.

Is tandoori chicken tikka healthy? ›

Rich in Vitamins and Minerals

Chicken tandoori contains various vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, B12, iron, magnesium, and zinc. These vitamins and minerals are essential for maintaining a healthy body and can help prevent various illnesses and diseases.

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