Tandoori Chicken Tenders with Spinach Raita

Name: Tandoori Chicken Tenders with Spinach Raita
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mughlai (Delhi & Lahore)
Ingredients: 0.5 cup plain yogurt; 0.75 tsp salt; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground coriander; 0.5 tsp ground turmeric; 1 tsp garam masala; 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper; 1.5 tsp minced garlic; 1.5 tsp minced ginger; 1 lb chicken tenders; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; 1.5 cup plain yogurt; 0.25 tsp salt; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tbsp vegetable oil; black pepper; 6 oz baby spinach leaves; 0.25 cup lightly packed cilantro; 0.25 cup lightly packed mint leaf

Pan-cooked chicken, spinach and yogurt, warmed with cumin and turmeric, a South Asian raita. It's finished with black pepper.

50 min · Serves 4 · Takes some skill

Method

Start cooking mode

Time: Prep 25 min · Cook 25 min · 50 min total
Difficulty: hard

1
In a small bowl, mix yogurt, salt, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, cayenne, garlic and ginger.
2
Put tenders in a resealable ziplock plastic bag and add the yogurt mixture to the bag. Toss to coat the chicken.
3
Seal bag, squeezing out excess air and marinate, refrigerated, at least 20 minutes and up to overnight.
20 min
4
When ready to cook chicken, remove tenders from marinade. Pour panko on to a plate and press tenders into panko, turning, until well coated.
5
Heat oil in large skillet until shimmering. Cook tenders, in batches if needed to avoid crowding, 3 to 4 minutes per side (or to 165 degrees). Add additional oil to pan as needed. Transfer tenders to a serving plate. Serve with Spinach Raita and naan bread.
4 min
6
To Make the Spinach Raita: Heat oil in a large non stick skillet until shimmering. Add spinach and sprinkle with black pepper. Stir-fry until spinach is wilted, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove spinach from pan. Cool and drain, then squeeze out excess moisture. Chop and set aside.
5 min
7
In food processor or blender, combine yogurt, cilantro, mint, salt and cumin. Process until mixed. Transfer to a serving bowl. Stir in chopped spinach and refrigerate covered until ready to serve.