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5 from 1 vote

Shredded Tandoori Chicken Tacos

Shredded Tandoori Chicken Tacos that are so delicious and versatile. Use them in tacos, tostadas, rice bowls, or quesadillas.

Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian, Indian Fusion, Mexican
Servings: 16 tacos
Author: Nisha Kapur

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds organic skinless boneless chicken breasts

Chicken Marinade 1

  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder* substitute: paprika
  • 1/4 lemon freshly squeezed

Chicken Marinade 2

  • 1/2 cup 5% Greek yogurt (2% will work too) I used Fage, make sure there is no water
  • 1 tbsp tandoori masala (no food color, no salt)** I used Rani Tandoori Masala
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 2 inch piece ginger

Tandoori Spice Mix for Onions & Peppers or use store-bought ~ 2 tbsp

  • 2 cloves
  • 1/4 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1/2 inch piece cinnamon stick
  • 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder* substitute: paprika
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 2 pods green cardamom

Shredded Tandoori Chicken

  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 black cardamom (moti elachi)
  • 1 large red onion, chopped
  • 1/2 medium red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 medium green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • all the blended Tandoori Spice Mix
  • marinated boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved
  • 1 tbsp dry fenugreek leaves, rubbed (kasoori methi)
  • 1 tsp chat masala I like MDH
  • 1/4 tsp Indian red chili powder substitute: cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

Creamy Garlicky Yogurt Sauce

  • 1/2 cup sour cream*** use Greek Yogurt for healthier option
  • 1/2 cup 5% reek Yogurt, 2% works too I used Fage
  • 1 serrano chilly, with seeds
  • 5-6 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/4 tsp garam masala I like MDH brand

Instructions

  • Begin by making slits in the chicken breasts. Massage the spices listed in Marinade 1.
  • Blend the yogurt, ginger, garlic, and other spices listed in Marinade 2.
  • Add the yogurt blend to the chicken breasts and massage the chicken well. Cover and refrigerate overnight for best results. If you're short on time, marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours.
  • The next day - prepare the tandoori spice mix. Using a coffee grinder, add all the spices listed under Tandoori Spice Mix and blend.
  • Chop the onions and bell peppers.
  • In an Instant Pot, hit SAUTE mode. Once hot, add oil followed by a black cardamom. Cook for 20 seconds or so.
  • Add the onions and cook for 5 mins.
  • Then add the red and green bell peppers. Season with salt and cook for another 5 minutes.
  • Now add the prepared Tandoori Spice Mix along with 2 tbsp of water. The water prevents the spices from burning. Stir. Hit CANCEL on the Instant Pot.
  • Cut the chicken breasts into halves, add them over the onion and pepper saute.
  • Cover the Instant Pot. Set the Pressure Release Valve to "Sealing". Hit HIGH PRESSUR10 minutes. And then 20 minutes natural release.
  • Make sure the steam is released from the Instant Pot before opening it. This is what you'll have once the chicken is cooked.
  • Using 2 forks, shred the chicken.
  • Add the chicken back in the Instant Pot.
  • Season with Indian red chili powder, dry fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi), and chat masala. Stir.
  • Yogurt Sauce
  • Add all the ingredients for the sauce in a small food processor.
  • Blend and this is what you should have. You can add a little water to thin it out, however I didn't.
  • Assemble Tacos
  • Take a gluten-free corn tortilla (or whatever you like), top with shredded purple/green cabbage, add shredded chicken, and finish it off with yogurt sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

* Kashmiri Chili Powder is not as spicy as Indian red chili powder. If you don't have Kashmiri chili powder you can substitute paprika.
** Rani Tandoori Masala is my choice of tandoori masala has it contains no food color or salt. This may be hard to find at your local Indian grocery store, so I'm linking it here on Amazon. If you can't find a tandoori masala without food color, use my Tandoori Spice Mix for the Chicken Marinade 2.
*** Sour Cream - for a healthier option, you can swap the sour cream for Greek Yogurt. Make sure you use 5% or 2% Greek Yogurt, I like Fage. Note, the taste of the sauce will be more tart if you it's all yogurt.
For a Dairy-Free option - omit the sour cream and yogurt, and opt for a vegan sour cream and/or yogurt.
 

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Nutrition

Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 281mg | Potassium: 241mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 329IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg