Tandoori chicken is one dish that has tantalizing flavors, and you wish you could have it grilled in a clay oven, but lack one at home. Don’t worry It’s perfectly fine that most Indian homes are not equipped with restaurant-style tandoor ovens.
Using a convection microwave instead, don’t try to imagine if it really is possible to achieve the same depth of flavor. The truth is, with the right techniques and gadgets, everyone can get their hands on perfectly cooked tandoori chicken without running outside or having to set-up an open grill.
Modern microwaves have moved on from simply reheating cold food. They now come with options specifically aimed at the Indian market like preset buttons for Indian breads, the ability to grill, cook without oil, and even prepare ghee at low temperatures. These innovations can greatly improve the ease, speed, and healthiness of cooking something as simple as tandoori chicken.
Continue reading to find a straightforward, step-by-step guide to making tandoori chicken the authentic way using a convection microwave.
This article goes beyond just the recipe, detailing the cooking techniques, the technology used, and how to best utilize important features such as auto cook menus, crispy grilling, and the convection speed.
The Differences with Convection Microwaves
Before moving to the chicken, we will tell you why these microwave ovens matter. Unlike a regular microwave, which utilizes just electromagnetic waves to heat food, a convection microwave combines that with a heating element and a fan to circulate hot air evenly.
This is the exact setup you need when trying to replicate a tandoor-like effect. The outflow of hot air crisps the exterior while keeping the insides tender.
And with modern features like crispy grill, auto cook presets, and oil-free cooking, it becomes no longer about compromising but rather adapting because of newer models.
Preparing Tandoori Chicken in a Convection Microwave Step-By-Step
Ingredients:
Here’s a basic list for a medium-sized batch of tandoori chicken (serves 2-3):
- Four skinless chicken thighs or legs
- Three tbsp curds
- One tbsp lemon juice
- One tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- One teaspoon red chili powder
- One teaspoon turmeric
- One and half teaspoons garam masala
- One teaspoon cumin powder
- Salt to taste
- Optional mustard oil
Marinating the chicken takes a minimum of three to four hours but it is preferred to be done overnight in the fridge.
Setting Up the Microwave
This is where the smart features come into play.
Home Fry or Grill Function
To achieve that delicious crispy exterior, select the grill setting. This works to defrost and caramelize the marinade while achieving that finger-licking flavor without the use of deep frying or heavy oil.
Oil-Free Mode Cooking
Use this to prevent having to grease your tray which adds extra fat. Food becomes crisp due to the circulation of hot air, not oil.
Auto Cook Menu Support
There are some convection microwaves that come with auto-cook menus that have 400 presets with most Indian delicacies like kebabs, tikkas, and grilled items. If you have a matching preset, select it – it automatically decides how much power and time is needed.
Combination Cooking
The microwave, grill, and convection methods of cooking can be combined to prepare certain dishes. This setting balances all three in order to cook evenly on the inside and outside while saving time. With this setting, you could reduce cooking time by 30%.
Cooking Time and Temperature
- Start cooking tandoori chicken by preheating the microwave in convection mode at 200 degrees Celsius.
- Place the marinated chicken on a grilling tray or wire rack.
- For this dish, use the combination mode (Convection + Grill or Microwave + Grill depending on which model you have).
- Cook for a total of 15-20 minutes, flipping at the halfway mark.
Keep an eye on it. The exterior shell should appear dry and mildly burnt, while the inner flesh should remain tender.
Why the Chicken Turns Out So Good
There are a few reasons that, somewhat unexpectedly, the output is a good approximation of a traditional setup.
Grill crisping: The chicken surface gets that juicy, dry, roasted finish due to the crispy grill feature, which basic microwaves lack.
Oil-free advantage: To achieve that charred effect, you normally would need a grill and oil. But now, without oil, the outer layer gets cooked evenly during the turn without excess fat.
Heat circulation: The convection fan guarantees the hot air touches every part of the chicken, minimizing cold spots or uneven cooking.
Time-saving: At 2500W, you are not waiting 45 minutes as in an OTG; you get solid results in under 25 minutes, even with preheat included!
What About Bread?
You can’t have a full tandoori experience without naan or tandoori roti. This is where another microwaving feature shines.
Don’t forget the Bread Basket Mode; it lets you cook Indian breads in three easy steps. Naan, paratha, kulcha, and even garlic bread – this setting does it all!
This lets you prep the bread side while the chicken is frying. This method saves time and energy.
What Else Can We Cook With Chicken?
If this succeeds, there’s a lot more to be done. You can also try:
- Paneer tikka
- Fish kebabs
- Vegetable skewers
- Seekh kebabs with soya.
Utilize the auto cook menu for this purpose. A lot of Indian cuisines are programmed and after selecting one, the microwave manages the power and duration automatically.
Additional Useful Features
Here are a few other features in modern convection microwaves that are often taken for granted, but are actually very useful:
| Feature | Why It Matters |
| Defrost | Return marinated frozen meat to room temperature quickly. |
| Low Temp Cooking | Helps to prepare ghee/curd in a vitamin-preserving manner |
| Ghee Making | Does it without the mess of the stovetop in auto cook. |
| Speed Cooking | Speeds up roasting, baking or frying with 2500W power. |
| Home Fry Recipes | Has 9 describeable dishes relying on home frying, with minimal oil usage for fuel-free cooking. |
Common Errors to Avoid
Although the steps are simple, some changes lead to more effective outcomes:
- Do not preheat: This results in the microwave chamber getting cold which alters the chicken’s texture.
- Flip halfway: Doing this allows both sides to have the proper grilled finish.
- Avoid overheating the tray: Leave spaces in between pieces for airflow.
- Use a wire rack: Assists with drippage while allowing for better heating than a flat plate.
Tandoori Chicken the Easier and Smarter Way
In the past, preparing tandoori chicken would require you to make a barbecue, deal with smoke, and devote over an hour to cooking. Today, the process is smoke-free, requires significantly less oil, and takes on a more convenient form as a household appliance in many Indian households.
Convection microwaves possess features like no-oil cooking, combination heating, and Indian recipe templates, microwaving leftovers is a thing of the past. These microwaves are moving towards actual everyday cooking.
Final Remark
Incredibly important to Indian culture, for people who wish to prepare Indian cuisine at home, using a fully loaded microwave gives you the best value for each spent rupee. And it’s not only about ease of use. It transforms seriously important meals into healthier options, all while being quicker and way more reliable.
Like other devices, the 30L Haier Convection Microwave has convenient features such as 400 auto cook menus, grill mode, and home fry options. These features allow for ease of appliance usage. Whether one is a novice trying their hands on cooking or wishes to modernize traditional cooking, it’s a device that helps the Indian kitchen as all.
Check more of your modern-day Ovens options that suit your recipes and cooking style here at Haier India website. Let your smart devices do the tough tasks so you’re free to relish your meals.