This juicy Tandoori Chicken is even more flavorful paired with classic Greek Tzatziki sauce! Made with a simple marinade using yogurt and spices, this popular Indian dish makes a great centerpiece to your evening meal. Plus, it can be ready in just about 30 minutes!

It’s so fun to experiment with international flavors. This Tandoori Chicken recipe is based on a classic Indian dish. The refreshing tang of Greek Tzatziki sauce nicely offsets the warm spices of the chicken. I don’t know that I would have thought to pair the two flavors on my own, but when I saw a recipe in my Everyday Food cookbook, I knew I’d need to try to make my own version!

Of course, I don’t have a Tandoor oven, which is a long clay oven where this chicken recipe gets its name from. So we won’t have the same smoky flavor you’ll find in Indian restaurants. But an oven will work just fine for our purposes!

Is Tandoori Chicken Spicy?

If you don’t often eat Indian food, then the spice level is probably your biggest worry. I know it is mine.
I’m here to reassure you! This recipe is mild on the spice scale. The yogurt in the marinade really helps balance the heat, too.

If you like yours a little more spicy, consider adding garam masala, cayenne pepper, or red chili powder to up the heat!

What is Tzatziki Sauce?

It is a traditional Greek sauce made with yogurt, lemon, diced cucumbers, and dill. It is so delicious and is a great accompaniment to gyros, meat and chicken dishes, and as a dip for veggies and pita chips. Or you can be like me and just eat it plain out of the bowl!

Ingredients for Tandoori Chicken

Here’s what you need to make this spicy chicken dinner:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Plain Greek yogurt
• Fresh garlic cloves, minced
• Fresh ginger
• Cumin
• Saffron
• Salt
• Finely ground black pepper

Note—If you want to save a little money, you can use turmeric in place of the saffron. Saffron provides a slightly sweet and floral taste, while using turmeric will finish with a warmer, more earthy flavor.

Tzatziki Sauce Ingredients

Gather together these simple ingredients to make your own tzatziki sauce:

• Plain Greek yogurt
• Minced garlic
• Fresh lemon juice
• Salt
• Cucumber, seeded and diced very small.
• Fresh dill, chopped
• Finely ground black pepper

I list all these ingredients in detail in the recipe card below, so make sure to check it out!

How to Make Tandoori Chicken with Tzatziki Sauce

Let’s make the Tzatziki Sauce first! In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, diced cucumber, and chopped dill. Stir well to combine. Add fresh pepper to taste. Then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour before using.

Tandoori Chicken

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Spray a 9 X 13″ baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the marinade ingredients (yogurt, garlic, ginger, cumin, saffron, salt, and pepper). Mix well.
3. Place the chicken breast, one piece at a time, into the yogurt-based marinade. Turn to coat. Then place the chicken pieces in the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
4. At this point, I recommend marinating the chicken for at least an hour in the fridge, tightly covered. But if you are in a rush, you can skip this step and head right to the oven.
5. Bake the marinated chicken for 25-30 minutes. Your cooking time may vary due to different ovens. Let it cool slightly, then serve the chicken with your prepared sauce.

FAQs

What should I serve with Tandoori Chicken?

While this chicken is delicious on its own, add some complementary sides! Consider one or more of these:

• Fresh naan bread
• Coconut Rice or Curried Rice, or even just plain basmati rice!
• Couscous Chicken Salad or other fresh greens

Can I use chicken thighs in this recipe?

Yes, chicken thighs work really well too! A lot of people prefer them because they have more flavor than chicken breasts. You can even marinate a whole chicken and roast it!

How do I store leftover chicken?

Store any leftover chicken in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warm through.

How long will the Tzatziki sauce last?

Homemade sauce will last 2-4 days in the refrigerator. If you notice that yours is getting watery, just stir before using it. The freshness of the cucumbers may determine how long yours lasts!

Can I freeze Tandoori Chicken for meal prep?

This chicken does not freeze well due to the yogurt sauce. If you’d like to use it in meal prep, then plan for making a larger batch you could use for leftovers within the next day or two.

Want to try more Indian recipes?

If you want to try some recipes that feature flavors found in traditional Indian cuisine, try one of these:

Make this crispy, savory Garam Masala Broccoli as an easy side dish for any meal! This Indian-inspired side dish is the best way to get your greens in while waking up those tastebuds with plenty of flavor!

This flavorful Curry Dip is perfect for dipping raw vegetables, but also makes a lovely sandwich spread or even a dip for crackers, potato wedges or French fries!

This oven Roasted Curry Cajun Cauliflower adds a little spice and a nice crunch to your meal! Seasoned with curry and Cajun spices, this veggie side dish features a South Asian flavor with a kick of Louisiana flair!

More Greek Food Recipes

• Spanakopita – spinach, onion, and herbed Feta cheese in between layers of Phyllo dough create an easy and delicious Greek dinner that you’ll love to serve everyone.
• Greek Quinoa Chicken Salad is a light, yet satisfying recipe perfect for lunch or dinner. With rotisserie chicken, feta, fresh veggies, and a lemon vinaigrette, this dish comes together in no time.
• Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad combines cheesy pasta with crisp fresh veggies! Tossed with a homemade Greek dressing, this refreshing side dish makes a perfect picnic food!
• Baklava is a favorite Greek dessert. It may look difficult, but it really isn’t and is sooo worth the effort.

What’s your favorite international cuisine? Let me know in the comments below!

FOLLOW ME

 FACEBOOK ~ PINTEREST 
 INSTAGRAM ~ TWITTER 
YOUTUBE

Keep an eye out for more of my easy recipes each week!

This post was Day 135 of my original 365 Days of Baking. It was first published June 15, 2011, and has been updated in format and with pictures on July 9, 2025.

The post Tandoori Chicken appeared first on 365 Days of Baking.