Work top to bottom — prep ahead while timers run
Gather everything first, then follow the steps
Protein· 1
- 180 g skinless chicken drumsticks (2, slashed)180g
Vegetables· 3
- 8 g garlic (grated)8g
- 8 g ginger (grated)8g
- 60 g cucumber (to serve)(optional)60g
Spices· 7
- 3 g paprika (for colour)3g
- 3 g curry powder3g
- 1 g cumin(staple)1g
- 2 g coriander powder(staple)2g
- 1 g turmeric(staple)1g
- 1 g chili powder(staple)1g
- pinch of salt(staple)2g
Dairy· 1
- 60 g low-fat Greek yogurt60g
Fruit· 1
- ½ lime (juice + to serve)10g
Skin the drumsticks and slash each 2–3 times; coat with the yogurt, garlic, ginger, all the spices, lime juice and salt, and marinate at least 10 min.
Why? The lactic acid in yogurt gently tenderises the muscle fibres so even lean meat stays juicy, and it carries the spices — replacing the oil and ghee the original bastes on.Tip: Marinate 30 min to overnight if you can; the slashes let the marinade reach the bone.
Next up:Preheat the air fryer to 200 °C; arrange the drumsticks in a single layer, cook 12 min, then flip and cook 4 min more.
- 12 min · hands-free
Preheat the air fryer to 200 °C; arrange the drumsticks in a single layer, cook 12 min, then flip and cook 4 min more.
Why? The air fryer's dry heat chars the yogurt marinade into those blackened edges that mimic a real tandoor — with not a drop of basting oil.Watch out: Before serving, cut the thickest part: no pink at the centre and clear juices means it's done.12:00Next up:Squeeze over the lime, and serve with cucumber batons and a spoon of the leftover yogurt (mint optional) as a dip.
Squeeze over the lime, and serve with cucumber batons and a spoon of the leftover yogurt (mint optional) as a dip.
Why? Lime's acidity and cool cucumber balance the spice; this is a carb-free main, so add half a portion of brown rice for a complete plate.Tip: Air-fry a double batch and chill it — great high-protein topping for salads or wraps next day.