Air Fryer Tandoori-Style Chicken Thighs with Cucumber Raita

Name: Air Fryer Tandoori-Style Chicken Thighs with Cucumber Raita
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: indian
Ingredients: 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs; 0.5 cup plain whole-milk yogurt; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp garam masala; 0.5 tsp ground turmeric; 0.5 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp salt; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 0.75 cup plain whole-milk yogurt (for raita); 0.5 medium English cucumber; 0.5 tsp dried mint or fresh mint; 0.25 tsp salt (for raita); 1.5 cup white basmati rice

⏱ 20 min

🍽 Serves 4

≈ $7.90 ($1.98/serving)

novice

Why this fits a family on a budget

Chicken thighs are one of the most budget-friendly proteins available, keeping this satisfying four-serving meal under $2 per plate. The air fryer delivers tandoori-style char in under 16 minutes without any marinating time, making it completely doable on a busy weeknight.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs

• 0.5 cup plain whole-milk yogurt

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp garam masala

• 0.5 tsp ground turmeric

• 0.5 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 0.75 cup plain whole-milk yogurt (for raita)

• 0.5 medium English cucumber

• 0.5 tsp dried mint or fresh mint

• 0.25 tsp salt (for raita)

• 1.5 cup white basmati rice

Instructions

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. While it heats, combine 1/2 cup yogurt, olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, garam masala, turmeric, garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and lemon juice in a large bowl and stir until smooth.

2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel, then add them to the marinade bowl. Toss well to coat every piece evenly — the marinade should be thick and fully covering each thigh.

3. Start the rice: add 1.5 cups basmati rice and 2.25 cups water with a pinch of salt to a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover and reduce to the lowest setting for 15 minutes.

4. Place the coated chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket — do not overlap them. Air fry at 400°F for 14–16 minutes, flipping halfway through at the 7-minute mark, until the outside is deeply golden with charred edges and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

5. While the chicken cooks, make the raita: finely dice the half cucumber (no need to peel) and combine it with 3/4 cup yogurt, dried mint, and 1/4 tsp salt. Stir together and set aside in the refrigerator.

6. When the chicken is done, let it rest for 2 minutes. The exterior should look lightly charred and caramelized — this is the signature tandoori look.

7. Serve the chicken thighs over fluffy basmati rice with a generous spoonful of cucumber raita on the side.

Contains: dairy. Always double-check labels for your household's allergies.

Cost is a national-average estimate and varies by store and region.

Plan a whole week like this — free

Plento Pasto plans a week of family dinners around the grocery budget you set and what's already in your kitchen. Free to plan, no ads.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

This recipe was generated by Plento Pasto's AI from a library of family-friendly dishes and reviewed for a real photo before publishing. Cooking times, costs, and nutrition are estimates — use your judgment in the kitchen.

← Browse more budget-friendly dinners