Clay-Tandoor Chicken Tacos with Homemade Seasoning – A Flavor-Packed Twist
PREP TIME
Marination time needed is 30 minutes. It is optional, but highly recommended.
COOK TIME
15 minutes
SERVINGS
8 tacos (serves 3–4)
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs (700g) boneless chicken thighs or breast, cut into chunks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tbsp Greek yoghurt is optional, but great for the addition of extra tenderness.
For the Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning:
- 1½ tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper is optional for the heat.
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Tacos:
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup chopped red onions
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- Sour cream, salsa, or guacamole are optional ingredients.
- Fresh cilantro and lime wedges will be great for garnishing.
Equipment Used
Tandoor Oven: Tandoor Oven: CS04 – Square Desi Clay Oven (Wood-Fired)
- The CS04 catering clay tandoor tandoor is perfect in terms of the square design for the extra skewer control, in addition to even roasting. What makes it favourable among several others is the intense wood-fired heat that enhances the flavour of the marinated meats, ensuring that the taco filling has a smoky twist. In addition, it is also CSA/ETL certified and ideal for both commercial and backyard use.
Stainless Steel Skewers: AS05 – Round- Tandoor Skewers – 36″
- Using thick and durable skewers is a must when it comes to working with soft ground meat. You can choose the flat or loop end skewers to prevention the meat from spinning. Make sure to always oil them lightly to avoid sticking.
Instructions
How to Make Chicken Tacos with Homemade Seasoning Step-by-Step
Step 1. Make the Chicken Taco Seasoning
- For that, you will have to take a small bowl. Make sure to combine all the chicken tacos, seasoning ingredients, paprika, cumin, chilli powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Make sure to mix them well until they blend. This is the homemade seasoning that will be Bold, flavourful, and completely aromatic and customizable compared to the store-bought blends.
Step 2. Marinate the Chicken
- Take a large bowl, add the chicken chunks along with Olive oil, yoghurt, and lime juice. Make sure to toss to coat, and then sprinkle the homemade taco seasoning over the meat. In the process, use your hands or a spatula to ensure that the chicken is evenly coated in the spice mix. Now just cover it and refrigerate it for around 30 minutes For allowing the flavours to penetrate deeply. Also, skip marination in the case you are in a rush. However, for getting the juicier and more flavorful chicken, it is a highly recommended approach.
Step 3. Prepare Your Tandoor Oven
- Just light up the CS04 Square Desi Clay Oven. Make sure to use charcoal or wood fire for maximum smoke and flavour depth. Now, just let the oven preheat for around 30 to 45 minutes until you see that the clay walls are hot and radiant. One of the major benefits of using the tandoor for tacos is that the high dry heat will give the chicken a crispy edge. In addition, you will enjoy the tender centers and a smoky char that you cannot get with a skillet or grill.
Step 4. Skewer the Chicken and Roast
- Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the stainless steel skewers. Make sure to leave slight gaps between every chunk for an even flow of heat. Now lower the skewers into the tandoor and let them roast for around 12 to 15 minutes. But turn them occasionally. With that, you can notice the chicken beginning to Brown and crisp on the edges. Make sure that you keep a close watch on it so that it doesn’t get burnt. Now, brush lightly with oil or butter in the last 2 minutes so that you can get the enhanced colour and moisture.
Step 5. Warm the Tortillas (Optional Tandoor Hack)
- This is an optional tandoor hack that you can follow. When the chicken finishes, just warm the tortillas by placing them on a flat pan. Or briefly hold them against the inner tandoor wall with the help of naan gaddi , that is a tandoor pad for a quick rose. Make sure that you do it for 10 to 15 seconds, on every side, to get the perfect results.
Step 6. Assemble the Chicken Tacos
- Once the chicken is cooked thoroughly and has a slight char, make sure to remove the skewers and let them rest for around 2 to 3 minutes. Now, just slice or chop them into the taco-sized pieces, make sure to fill every Tortilla with a sprinkle of shredded lettuce, a scoop of chopped chicken, diced tomatoes, and red onion, in addition to a pinch of the shredded cheese to make it impressive. Make sure to drizzle of sour cream or salsa, Cilantro leaves, and a squeeze of lime.
Tips to follow for the perfect results
- Make sure to customise the heat. All you can do is just add cayenne or chili powder to the seasoning for the spicier version. Also, if you are feeding it to a child, keep low on the cayenne or chili powder low.
- Keep it moist and make sure not to skip the lime juice or yoghurt in the marinade. Why it is important is that it will help lock in the moisture while also resting in the high heat.
- Double the batch. Remember the point that tandoori-cooked chicken freezes well, so it is perfect to make extra and save time for future meals.
- If you are thinking about whether the skillet option will be favourable or not, then keep in mind that a tandoor is not a problem. You can just grill or saute the marinated chicken on high heat in a cast-iron skillet.
- With the Mini Taco Bar, what you can do is to serve the toppings in separate bowls so that everyone can build their perfect taco.
What is the reason that the Tandoori Chicken tacos work very well?
Use the chicken taco seasoning base and prepare the filling in a pan. Tandoor oven for the next week. The intense heat of the tandoor will be melting beautifully while the bold Mexican-inspired spices will be ensuring the smoky and tangy bite that complements the soft tortillas and the fresh toppings. With this option, you can get the unbeatable fusion of the traditional fire-cooked flavour and the model taco results.
Do you need any sort of help? If so, you can get technical support from the team.
If you have any kind of questions or you’re ready to place an order, you can freely reach out to us via phone call at +1(727) 251 6924 or also, or you can also email us at info@tandoormorni.com. If you are struggling with the detailed instructions, be sure that you can find the Operation Manual for our CH & CS models to get started with your tandoor oven today.
About Tandoor Morni
Tandoor Morni has been in the tandoor business since 1992, and over the years, it has established itself as a form of premium tandoori clay oven seller. What makes it stand out is its high-quality traditional and commercial tandoors. It has earned a commitment to excellence and offers a wide range of tandoors, including residential, catering, commercial, and copper models. We have the tandoor set built with durable materials and designed for efficient heat distribution. It can ensure you can get the authentic flavours out of it. Also, these ovens come with customizable options like wood fire, gas, or charcoal compatibility, ensuring that they are suitable for various kinds of cooking needs.
FAQ’S – Spicy Chicken Recipes
What is gochujang, and where can I get it?
Gochujang is a fermented Korean chili paste. It's spicy, sweet, and full of umami. You can get it at most Asian grocery shops or online.
Can I use chicken thighs rather than breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are moister and more flavorful. If you want dark meat, then go for it. Simply alter the cooking time slightly.
Is this dish really spicy?
It has a medium heat, but you may tone it down by using less gochujang or more honey to balance it out.
Can I cook it on the grill?
Yes! It grills wonderfully. However, if you have access to a tandoor, the flavor will be enhanced.
How can I make this into a chicken taco?
Easy! Simply serve the cooked gochujang chicken in taco shells with slaw, sour cream, and lime juice. In a few minutes, you can prepare a hot Korean-Mexican fusion cuisine.
