Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread Recipe

Get ready to fall in love with a fusion feast: Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread combines luscious, spicy marinated chicken with buttery roasted garlic custard and gooey mozzarella atop pillowy sheet rolls. Imagine classic party garlic bread reimagined with bold Indian flavors—this is street food and comfort food all rolled into one irresistible, shareable treat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Fusion Favorite: The best of East and West—juicy tandoori chicken meets classic cheesy garlic bread for an addictive party dish or indulgent snack.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: Both the chicken and garlic custard can be prepared ahead, making it a breeze to assemble and bake when friends pop over.
  • Flavor Explosion: Smoky, spicy, buttery, and cheesy—every bite hits all the right notes, with hints of tangy yogurt and fresh herbs.
  • A Show-Stopper: The golden cheese, vibrant tandoori chicken, and herby garnish make for a jaw-dropping centerpiece at gatherings—expect compliments!

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t need any fancy ingredients—just a few flavorful staples and a handful of bread rolls to make this Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread soar. Each element, from smoked chicken to creamy roasted garlic and stretchy cheese, plays a starring role in flavor, texture, and color. Here’s what makes this recipe a crowd-pleaser:

  • Chicken tenders: Tender, quick-cooking, and perfect for absorbing all the delicious marinade.
  • Plain full-fat yogurt: The secret to juicy tandoori chicken—it tenderizes and adds tang.
  • Ginger garlic paste: Classic aromatic base for the marinade; you can use homemade or store-bought.
  • Lemon juice: Brightens the flavors and adds balance to the spices.
  • Red chili powder & flakes: Adds layers of warmth—adjust to your spice preference.
  • Turmeric, coriander, cumin, onion powder, garam masala: The essential tandoori flavor line-up.
  • Optional Shan tandoori masala: For an extra punch of authentic tandoori taste (trust me, it’s worth it if you have it).
  • Butter, oil, or ghee: For luscious cooking and that signature richness.
  • Wooden smoking chips: The magic behind the subtly smoky tandoori aroma—don’t skip if you want true restaurant vibes.
  • Garlic cloves & olive oil: Roasted for a sweet, mellow punch in the garlic butter custard.
  • Unsalted butter: Melted, for soaking into every nook and cranny of the bread.
  • Egg & milk: Whisked into the custard for extra creaminess and structure.
  • Paprika & salt: Pops the flavor in the garlic custard.
  • Chopped fresh parsley: For color and a flavor lift, both in the custard and as a garnish.
  • King’s Hawaiian rolls (or French baguette): Soft, sweet, and perfect for soaking up all that garlicky, buttery, cheesy goodness.
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melty, stretchy, and essential for that gooey, pizza-esque finish.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

This Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread is endlessly customizable—play with toppings and bread, or dial the spice up or down to make it your own. It’s so easy to adapt if you’re feeding a crowd with different tastes or dietary needs!

  • Paneer Garlic Bread: For a vegetarian twist, swap the chicken with smoked, spiced paneer cubes for equally satisfying results.
  • Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free rolls or baguette for a celiac-friendly indulgence that doesn’t skip on flavor.
  • Keto Version: Make it low-carb by using a keto bread base and omitting the sugar—still as cheesy and addictively spicy!
  • Spice Level: Go extra fiery with more chili, or keep it mellow by reducing the powders and flakes as needed.

How to Make Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread

Step 1: Marinate & Cook the Tandoori Chicken

Toss your chicken tenders in a rich yogurt-based marinade full of ginger, garlic, and tandoori spices. Let them soak up those flavors for at least 30 minutes (or longer if you have time), then cook on high heat until juicy and slightly charred. For next-level authenticity, add a quick smoke by setting wood chips in foil and letting the chicken bask in the aromatic haze for a few minutes—it’s the secret restaurant touch!

Step 2: Prepare the Roasted Garlic Butter Custard

While the chicken marinates, roast the garlic until golden and tender—it sweetens and mellows, creating a flavor bomb. Mash the roasted cloves and whisk them together with melted butter, milk, egg, paprika, salt, and parsley to form a luscious, savory custard. This mixture is the magic that soaks into every bite of bread.

Step 3: Dip the Bread Rolls

Slice your King’s Hawaiian rolls (or baguette) into two even halves and dunk them generously into the garlic butter custard, ensuring every side is beautifully coated. Don’t be shy—the more custard soaks in, the more each bite will ooze buttery, garlicky goodness!

Step 4: Bake the Bread Base

Lay the soaked bread halves on a baking sheet and bake at 350ºF until golden and slightly crisp. This not only sets the custard but creates a sturdy, delectable base ready for all the spicy chicken and melting cheese to come.

Step 5: Assemble & Broil

Pile your cooked tandoori chicken on the baked bread, add a generous layer of mozzarella, and repeat for extra decadence. Broil for a few more minutes—just until the cheese melts, bubbles, and turns spotty-golden. The aroma at this stage? Absolutely irresistible.

Step 6: Garnish, Slice & Serve

Sprinkle with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish, slice into portions, and serve your Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread hot. Watch as everyone swoops in for seconds—it’s a showstopper every time!

Pro Tips for Making Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread

  • Intense Tandoori Infusion: Marinate your chicken as long as possible—overnight if you can! This deepens the flavor and achieves that signature tandoori punch.
  • Bread Matters: Use soft sheet rolls or even soft hot dog buns for maximum soakage of that gorgeous garlic butter custard (crusty bread may not absorb as much goodness).
  • Broiler Magic: Keep a very close eye during broiling—cheese goes from perfect to burnt quickly, so pull it when it’s bubbly and just golden.
  • Smoky Finish: Don’t rush the smoking process with the wood chips; that hint of smokiness takes this Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread to another dimension!

How to Serve Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread

Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

A generous shower of chopped fresh parsley brings a burst of color and freshness to your Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread. You can also add thinly sliced red onions, a sprinkle of chili flakes, or even some freshly chopped cilantro for a bright, peppery finish.

Side Dishes

This garlic bread is bold and hearty enough to steal the show, but it’s also fantastic alongside cooling cucumber raita, a zingy salad, or a simple tomato soup. If you’re entertaining, serve it with a platter of Indian pickles and crunchy veggie sticks.

Creative Ways to Present

Transform your Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread into party bites by slicing it into small squares and skewering each piece with a toothpick. Or try layering it as the star centerpiece for a brunch spread alongside fresh fruits and savory dips—it’s as showy as it is delicious!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The bread may soften a bit as it soaks up more flavors, but honestly, that just makes it more irresistible!

Freezing

Want to make this ahead? Assemble the bread up to the baking point, tightly wrap and freeze for up to a month. To serve, thaw in the fridge, bake as directed, then finish with cheese and broil just before eating for fresh-from-the-oven perfection.

Reheating

Reheat slices on a baking sheet at 350ºF for about 10 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is bubbly again. The microwave works in a pinch too, but the oven gives you back that slight crunch!

FAQs

  1. Can I make the tandoori chicken ahead of time?

    Absolutely! You can cook the tandoori chicken a day in advance and keep it refrigerated. This actually deepens the flavors, making assembly even easier when you’re ready to bake the garlic bread.

  2. Is there a vegetarian option for this recipe?

    You can easily swap the chicken for marinated and smoked paneer or even roasted cauliflower florets to keep the same level of flavor and heartiness. Follow the same marinade and smoking steps for best results.

  3. What bread works best for Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread?

    Soft, pillowy rolls like King’s Hawaiian work best because they absorb the garlic butter custard beautifully, but any soft pull-apart dinner rolls or a soft French loaf will work as a substitute.

  4. Can I skip the smoking step?

    The smoking is optional but highly recommended for a true tandoori feel. If you skip it, you’ll still have fantastic flavor from the marinade, but that subtle smoky aroma really takes the garlic bread to restaurant-level heights.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for something bold, cheesy, and absolutely unforgettable, give this Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread a try! It’s a recipe that brings people together, impresses at any party, and disappears almost instantly from the table. I can’t wait for you to experience just how delicious fusion food can be—enjoy every last bite!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread Recipe

Tandoori Chicken Garlic Bread Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 71 reviews
  • Author: Megane
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking, Broiling
  • Cuisine: Fusion
  • Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Description

This recipe combines the flavors of tandoori chicken with garlic bread for a delicious fusion dish that is sure to impress your taste buds. Tender chicken marinated in aromatic spices is paired with garlic butter custard and melted mozzarella cheese on Hawaiian rolls, creating a mouthwatering treat.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Tandoori Chicken:

  • 400g chicken tenders (about 4-5), cubed
  • 1/2 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)
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/2 tsp coriander powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp garam masala
  • Optional: 1-2 tablespoon Shan tandoori masala
  • 2 tbsp oil, butter or ghee for cooking
  • Handful of wooden smoking chips for smoking

Garlic Butter Custard:

  • 68 garlic cloves mixed with 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (113g)
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup milk (60g)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Assembly:

  • 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

Instructions

  1. Tandoori Chicken: Mix all the ingredients except the oil and smoking chips in a large bowl. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes. Cook the marinated chicken in oil until tender. Smoke the chicken using wooden chips.
  2. Garlic Butter Custard: Roast garlic in oven, then mix with butter, egg, milk, salt, paprika, and parsley. Whisk to combine.
  3. Assembly: Dip bread in garlic butter custard, bake until golden. Top with tandoori chicken and mozzarella. Broil until cheese is melted and golden. Garnish with parsley.

Notes

  • You can adjust the spice levels to suit your taste
  • Ensure the chicken is cooked through before assembling the dish
  • Experiment with different cheeses for variations in flavor

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 610mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star