Instant Pot tandoori chicken drumsticks
In 30 minutes in the Instant pot, these tandoori chicken drumsticks are a delicious Indian-inspired dish the whole family will love.
Ingredients
 | 10 fresh or frozen chicken drumsticks |
 | 1 cup of plain regular yogurt, low-fat yogurt, or greek yogurt. You can also use heavy cream. |
 | 1 lemon to cut into quarters and serve along side. |
Spices:
 | 1 teaspoon of garlic powder or crushed garlic cloves |
 | 2 teaspoons of red chili powder for that lovely red color |
 | 1 teaspoon of dried coriander; you can use fresh coriander (cilantro) as well. |
 | 1 teaspoon of turmeric, traditional ingredient for flavor |
 | 1 teaspoon of ground cumin for a bit of spiciness |
 | 2 teaspoons of garam masala for more spiciness (garam means warm, and masala means spice) |
 | 1 teaspoon of ground ginger for a bit of a bite |
 | 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, if you like things really spicy |
 | Pinch of salt and pepper |
How to make these tandoori chicken drumsticks in the Instant Pot
- Whisk the yogurt and spices together in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the chicken to the yogurt-spice mixture and coat each piece thoroughly.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour to marinate. (Patience = flavor upgrade.)
- Using an Instant pot cooking rack, place it at the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- Pour about ½ inch of water into the pot, ensuring it does not touch the rack.
- Place the marinated chicken on the rack.
- Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (High) for 13 minutes.
- Allow a natural release for 5 minutes once the timer ends.
- (Optional) Transfer to the oven and bake at 220°C (430°F) for 7–10 minutes on a greased baking sheet until the skin is golden and slightly crispy.
- Slice the lemon into quarters.
- Serve warm with lemon on the side.
When it comes to easy and delicious Indian chicken recipe, the tandoori chicken is always a huge favorite. It’s simple to make at home and gets its flavor from a variety of spices.
Spices include coriander, cumin, paprika, turmeric, and garam masala, all of which should available at your local grocery store. And frankly even if you are missing 1 or 2 of the ingredients, your tandoori chicken is still undoubtedly going to taste great.
The word “tandoor” comes from the Persian word “tanur,” which means oven, and specifically refers to a clay oven. But since we all don’t have clay ovens at home, enter the Instant pot for quick and hassle-free cooking.
I should mention though, for that golden brown crisp, you may want to place the tandoori chicken in the oven (or air fryer) for a few minutes as there is no way to duplicate that in the Instant pot. The chicken is still perfectly cooked, but this is just for that added oomph.
Cooking tips
- Let the chicken marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour or overnight to infuse flavor and tenderize the meat.
- Let the pressure release naturally for at least 5 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Place in the oven for a few minutes to get the exterior nice and crispy.
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Instant pot tandoori chicken drumsticks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 chicken drumsticks
- 1 cup of plain yogurt
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons of red chili powder
- 2 teaspoons of garam masala
- 1 teaspoon of dried coriander
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional)
- pinch of salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lemon to cut into quarters and serve along side
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the yogurt and spices together.
- Add the chicken into the bowl and cover each one generously with the yogurt-spice mixture.
- Place in the fridge for an hour to allow it to marinate.
- When ready to cook, place the cooking rack in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- Pour about half an inch of water into the pot. Make sure the water isn’t touching the rack.
- Place the chicken on the cooking rack and set the Instant Pot on Pressure Cook High for 13 minutes.
- When the timer goes off, let it natural release for 5 minutes.
- (Optional) For a crispy outer skin, place for 7-10 minutes in the oven. Grease a baking sheet, then lay the chicken pieces on it at 430°F (220°C), until the outer skin turns golden brown.
- Slice the lemon into quarters and serve along side the chicken drumsticks.
- Serve while warm.
Nutrition
Please note: We are not certified nutritionists and these estimates written and produced for entertainment purposes only.
What to serve with it?
Tandoori chicken is traditionally served with a raita (cucumber and yogurt dish) and plain rice. I usually have my rice cooker going at the same time.
But you can also serve it with naan or even with mashed potatoes, for something different.
How to store it?
If you want to freeze it, I recommend doing so before the chicken is cooked. Place the marinade and the chicken drumsticks in a large freezer bag, and lay the drumsticks flat in the freezer (not lying on top of each other).
