Tandoori-Style Chicken for a Picnic

June 21st, 2016

Tandoori-Style Chicken 1 better

If you are looking for a flavorful picnic chicken, this is the one for you.  Because of the long marination in spices, garlic and ginger, it is delicious even at room temperature. I would happily put this chicken in a container and carry it to a picnic spot overlooking a mountain view or a babbling stream.  In my perfect picnic spot I would serve it with the following.

Couscous-with-arugla-2

Israeli Couscous and Arugula Salad.  It is bright.  It is piquant and it is light.  You can find the recipe here.

Zoodle Mixed Salad 1

One of my new favorite salads is this Zoodle vegie salad.  It is perfect for a picnic.   Here is the recipe.

Savory-Cheese-and-Chive-Bread-3V

All picnics require bread.  This wonderful cheese and chive bread from Dorie Greenspan is perfect.  It is one of my favorites.

Chocolate-Shortbread-Bars-2-V

 

My Chocolate Pecan Shortbread Bars are fast and easy.  You can make them even better with good quality chocolate.  I even make and freeze these to have on hand for impromptu get togethers.  Recipe here.

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Add some fruit, cheese and wine for a perfect picnic.

Tandoori-Style Chicken close

The fiery jalapeno and ginger spiked marinade assures that this chicken will have lots of flavor when it is served cold or at room temperature.  Although the recipe calls for roasting in the oven, it would also be great on the grill.  Try it for your next picnic or cookout.

TANDOORI-STYLE CHICKEN

  • ½ cup plain yogurt
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 small onion, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1 jalapeño, stemmed, and seeded if desired
  • 1 inch-long piece gingerroot, peeled and sliced into coins
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 4 pounds skinless chicken drumsticks and thighs, rinsed and patted dry
  • Vegetable oil, for brushing
  • Lime wedges, for garnish
  1. For marinade, combine all ingredients except for chicken, oil and lime wedges in a food processor and purée until smooth.
  2. With a sharp knife, make several incisions on each chicken piece to help marinade penetrate meat. Transfer chicken to a large glass or ceramic baking dish and pour in marinade, turning chicken pieces to coat. Cover dish with plastic wrap and transfer to refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Remove chicken pieces from marinade. Transfer chicken to a roasting pan and drizzle with vegetable oil. Roast, basting occasionally, until juices run clear and meat is just cooked through, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely, then wrap and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature for at least 1 hour before serving. Serve with lime wedges.

Printable Recipe

12 responses to “Tandoori-Style Chicken for a Picnic”

  1. Penny at The Comforts of Home says:

    Ok, I am going on a picnic with you! What wonderful suggestions Penny!

  2. Larry says:

    That’s quite a picnic feast and way better than most peoples KFC or PB&J sandwiches. Like Penny, above, I’m going with you.

  3. monique says:

    You have prepared a perfect picnic.
    We ate picnic style a few times while away..so nice w/ nature and quiet..:)
    I just pinned the bars too.

    • Penny says:

      I’m sure your views were some of the best! Next time we go to Paris, I want to grab a baguette, cheese, fruit and wine and eat in the Tuileries or along the Seine.

  4. Kathy says:

    My picnics do not look quite like that! I think I would love your elegant picnic!

  5. I like everything about your picnic plans, especially the flavorful chicken.

  6. Susan says:

    I want to go on a picnic with you! The chicken, salads and dessert all look wonderful. I’ve made Dorie’s cheese and chive bread and love it too. Oh my, those bars are calling my name 🙂

    • Penny says:

      Susan, The bars are so easy! We recently had an after party after a performance by our doo wap group friends. We sat around the kitchen island drinking wine and other quaffs, singing and eating these chocolate shortbreads. They had been in my freezer. So nice to be able to pull them out for an impromptu party.

© Penny Klett, Lake Lure Cottage Kitchen. All rights reserved.