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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03/12/2024 05:59 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

Is tandoori chicken and roasted chicken the same? ›

Tandoori chicken is a dish of roasted chicken which has been marinated in yoghurt and various spices such as garam masala, cumin and cayenne pepper and roasted in a tandoor oven. So tandoori chicken is a type of roasted chicken but not all roasted chicken is tandoori chicken.

Why is chicken tikka so dry? ›

Key To Great Chicken Tikka #3: Don't Over-marinate

Marinate for too long, and your meat will dry out just like you overcooked it, resulting in dry, stringy, chalky meat. Keep marinating time to 5 hours or less.

Is chicken tikka always boneless? ›

About Chicken Tikka. Chicken Tikka are boneless pieces of chicken, marinated in spiced yogurt, threaded on a metal skewer and cooked on live charcoal. The term “Tikka” translates to a piece or chunk.

Which is better, tandoori or tikka? ›

Nutritional Value

The high fiber, protein, fat, and carbohydrate content in chicken tikka kebabs makes them incredibly healthy. It contains 4.2g of protein, 0.7g of fiber, and 5g of net carbohydrates. The delicious appetizer, however, has fewer nutritional value and health advantages than chicken tandoori.

Why is tandoori chicken so tender? ›

Traditionally the heat for a tandoor is generated by wood fire or charcoal. As the food cooks in this clay oven, the juices drip on to the hot charcoal and release a smoky flavor. The resulting char grilled chicken is the best – tender and juicy with bursting flavors.

How unhealthy is chicken tikka? ›

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 are the disadvantages of chicken tikka? ›

High Fat and Cholesterol Content

Saturated fat can increase your risk for heart disease and raise your cholesterol levels, and each serving of chicken tikka masala contains 28 grams of saturated fat, or 138 percent of the daily value.

Can I use yogurt instead of heavy cream in tikka masala? ›

So, instead of cream, I use yogurt and butter (cream's close cousin) to get that rich and velvety tomato gravy for my Chicken Tikka Masala.

Is it better to bake a whole chicken at 350 or 400? ›

You can roast or bake anywhere between 325 and 450 degrees F. When roasting a whole chicken, a nice rule of them is to start at 400 to 425 degrees F and then turn the oven down to 350 after 15 minutes and cook until the internal temp of the chicken is 165 – 175 degrees F on an instant read thermometer.

Should you flip a whole chicken when roasting? ›

A classic roast chicken needs to be flavorful, tender, and encased in beautifully crispy skin. Above all, however, a roast chicken needs to be juicy. There are many ways to achieve this, but one of the best is to flip over your poultry.

Should whole chicken sit out before roasting? ›

Prep and Season. Always let your bird come to room temperature, by leaving it outside of the fridge, covered, for an hour before cooking it. Why? Because your bird will cook unevenly otherwise.

What is the difference between tikka and tikki? ›

As per my knowledge, Tikka is the one which is roasted on tandoor and Tikki is the one which is shallow fried or deep fried. In Paneer tikka recipe, marinated paneer cubes are roasted in tandoor or grill. In Aloo tikki recipe, mashed potatoes are mixed with spices and rolled into small portions are fried.

What is tikka called in English? ›

The word tikka (tike in Turkish, and tikə in Azerbaijani) is a Persian word, meaning "bits" or "pieces". It is also a chicken dish served in Punjabi cuisine. The Kashmiri version of the dish, however, is grilled over red-hot coals, and does not always contain boneless pieces.

Should chicken tikka be red? ›

If made at home without color, it is orange-brown but never as bright orange as the restaurant ones. Restaurants do the same thing to Chicken Tikka (dry) and Tandoori chicken (always dry), red color is added.

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

The Indian dish, tandoori chicken consists of pieces of chicken, marinated in a mixture of yoghurt and spices and grilled in a tandoor oven. Traditionally it is a dry dish, meaning there is no sauce and it is served with a squeeze of lemon or lime and some coriander leaves.

What is roasted chicken called? ›

Rotisserie chicken has become a growing trend in the United States since the mid 1990s. American supermarkets commonly roast rotisserie chickens using either horizontal or vertical rotisseries. These chickens are a means of using unsold fresh chickens and are often sold at lower prices than fresh chickens.

What are the other names for tandoori chicken? ›

These include Chirga (Roasted whole chicken); Tandoori Murgh (Roast whole chicken with almonds); Murgh Kabab Seekhi (Whole stuffed chicken on the spit); Kookarh Tandoori (Steamed chicken on spit); Tandoori Murgh Massaledarh (Whole spiced chicken on spit); and Murghi Bhogar (Chicken in the Bhogar style).

What's the difference between roast chicken and roasted chicken? ›

  • Both are correct, but they have subtly different meanings.
  • Roasted chicken describes meat that has been cooked by roasting. Roast chicken is a dish made by roasting a chicken.
  • In practice, #2 is what you would normally use when ordering, on a menu, or describing what you intend to serve. #1 migh...
Jan 17, 2021

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