Name: Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Indian fusion
Ingredients: 400g chicken tenders (about 4-5), cubed; ½ cup plain, full fat yogurt; 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tsp salt (or to taste); 1 tsp red chili powder; 1 tsp chili flakes (reduce as needed); ½ tsp turmeric powder; ½ tsp coriander powder; ½ tsp cumin powder; ½ tsp onion powder; ¼ tsp garam masala; Optional: 1-2 tbsp Shan tandoori masala; 2 tbsp oil, butter or ghee for cooking; Handful of wooden smoking chips for smoking; 6-8 garlic cloves mixed with 2 tbsp olive oil; ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (113g); 1 egg; ¼ cup milk (60g); ½ tsp salt; ½ tsp paprika; 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley; 12 King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sheet Rolls, kept in the full sheet form (or replace with a French baguette of similar size); 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; Chopped fresh parsley for serving

Jump to Recipe

If you are looking to wow your taste buds and impress your friends at the next get-together, you simply have to try this Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread Recipe. It combines the irresistible smoky, spicy flavors of tandoori chicken with the comforting, buttery goodness of garlic bread, all topped generously with melty mozzarella cheese. Each bite brings together a perfect harmony of textures and tastes that feels indulgently fresh yet familiar. Seriously, it is that magic dish you’ll want to make over and over again!

The image shows a close-up of a pizza sliced into square pieces. It has two main layers: a golden-brown crust on the bottom, and a thick top layer of melted white cheese mixed with chunks of bright orange-yellow cooked topping. Small green herb sprinkles are scattered on top, adding color contrast. The cheese is slightly browned and bubbly in places, creating a textured look with soft, melted areas and more solid golden spots. The pieces are tightly packed together on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread Recipe is all about simple, carefully chosen ingredients that work together flawlessly to create a symphony of flavor and texture. The freshness of herbs, the richness of butter, and the vibrant spices come together in a way that’s both bold and comforting.

Chicken tenders: Cubed for quick marination and even cooking, delivering tender bites.
Plain full-fat yogurt: Acts as the creamy base for the marinade, tenderizing the chicken beautifully.
Ginger garlic paste: Packs that essential punch of aromatic flavor every Indian dish needs.
Lemon juice: Adds a lively tang to balance the spices perfectly.
Red chili powder and chili flakes: Give the dish its signature vibrant heat; adjust to your spice tolerance.
Turmeric, coriander, cumin, onion powder, garam masala, and optional Shan tandoori masala: A decadent blend of spices building the classic tandoori flavor profile.
Oil, butter, or ghee: For cooking the chicken and enriching the garlic butter custard.
Wooden smoking chips: They infuse the chicken with that authentic smoky aroma, elevating the dish to next-level deliciousness.
Garlic cloves and olive oil: Roasting these creates an irresistibly mellow, fragrant garlic butter.
Unsalted butter, egg, milk, paprika, fresh parsley: Whisked into the garlic butter custard for richer taste and beautiful color.
King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sheet Rolls or French baguette: The perfect bread absorbs all the buttery garlic goodness while maintaining a lovely crunch.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts into gooey, golden perfection atop the tandoori chicken, tying all the flavors together.
Fresh parsley for garnish: Offers a burst of freshness with each bite and adds inviting color.

How to Make Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Marinate the Chicken

Start by mixing the chicken cubes with yogurt, ginger garlic paste, lemon juice, and the blend of spices including red chili powder, turmeric, and garam masala. Let it soak in all those flavors by refrigerating for at least 30 minutes. This marinade not only tenderizes the chicken but infuses it with bold, vibrant taste that’s the heart of this recipe.

Step 2: Cook and Smoke the Chicken

Heat oil or ghee in a hot pan and cook the marinated chicken until it’s juicy and cooked through, about 5 to 8 minutes. Then, for that extraordinary smoky punch, carefully smoke the chicken using wooden smoking chips wrapped in foil—placing the smoking packet in the pan and covering with a lid traps the smoke to permeate every bite. This step makes the Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread Recipe truly unforgettable.

Step 3: Roast and Mash the Garlic

While the chicken marinates, roast your garlic cloves drizzled with olive oil in the oven until soft and golden. Roasting transforms the harsh raw garlic into a mellow, sweet flavor that will blend beautifully into the garlic butter custard. Once done, mash the cloves finely to prepare for mixing.

Step 4: Whisk the Garlic Butter Custard

Combine the roasted garlic, melted butter, egg, milk, salt, paprika, and chopped parsley in a bowl. Whisk vigorously until the custard is smooth and fully blended. This luscious mixture will soak into the bread, giving it a rich, garlicky, buttery exterior and incredible aroma.

Step 5: Prepare the Bread

Slice your sheet of Hawaiian rolls or baguette in half horizontally. Dip the bread generously into the garlic butter custard, making sure each piece is evenly coated inside and out. Then place the bread on a baking tray and bake at 350°F until it develops a beautiful golden crust, usually 15 to 18 minutes.

Step 6: Assemble with Chicken and Cheese

Layer the smoked tandoori chicken and shredded mozzarella on top of the baked garlic bread, alternating layers so every bite gets some chicken and cheese goodness. Broil it under the grill for 5 to 8 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden, creating that irresistible cheesy crust. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a vibrant touch.

How to Serve Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread Recipe

Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

A fresh sprinkle of chopped parsley or cilantro adds a pop of green that’s as inviting visually as it is in flavor. You can also add a light drizzle of a cooling yogurt raita or a squeeze of fresh lemon to balance the spices if you like.

Side Dishes

This Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread Recipe pairs wonderfully with simple sides like a crisp salad or charred vegetables. A tangy cucumber salad or a cooling mint chutney serve as excellent accompaniments, keeping the meal balanced and refreshing.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve this hearty garlic bread as a shareable party platter, cutting it into small squares for finger food fun. You could also turn it into an innovative sandwich or serve alongside a bowl of dal or curry for a fusion twist that’s sure to impress your dinner guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for 2 to 3 days and still taste delicious when reheated. For best texture, avoid storing the bread too long to keep it from becoming soggy.

Freezing

You can freeze the assembled garlic bread before baking by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake and broil as directed for a fresh-from-the-oven experience.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to bring back that crispy crust and melty cheese. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make the bread soggy and cheese rubbery, and you want to keep every bit of that crisp, cheesy goodness intact.

FAQs

Can I use regular bread instead of Hawaiian rolls?

Absolutely! While Hawaiian rolls add a subtle sweetness and softness, a French baguette or any crusty bread will work beautifully to hold all the juicy tandoori chicken and garlic butter flavors.

How spicy is this Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread Recipe?

The spice level can be easily adjusted by varying the amount of chili powder and flakes. You can make it milder or turn up the heat depending on your personal preferences – it’s very flexible!

Do I have to smoke the chicken?

Smoking adds an authentic smoky depth, but if you don’t have smoking chips or prefer a quicker version, you can skip the smoking step and simply cook the chicken thoroughly. It will still be delicious.

Can I prepare this recipe without an oven?

The baking step is important for crisping up the bread and melting the cheese, so an oven or a toaster oven is recommended for the best results. If you don’t have one, you might try carefully grilling or using a pan to heat the bread and cheese, but results may vary.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Yes! The components like marinated chicken and garlic butter custard can be prepared in advance. The bread assembly and baking are best done right before serving to keep that fresh, crunchy texture.

Final Thoughts

You really can’t go wrong with this Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread Recipe. It’s a delightful fusion that will have everyone asking for seconds, with layers of flavor that feel luxurious yet comforting. I encourage you to try it soon—you’ll create a memorable meal that feels special but is surprisingly easy to pull off. Trust me, your kitchen is about to get a whole lot more exciting!