Spiced Tandoori Chicken Burger Recipe - Celebration Generation (2024)

Published: May 17, 2023

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My husband recently got back from a work trip to Ireland.

As I have him trained well (if he's dining without me, he takes photos of EVERYTHING that he wants me to replicate... including the menu info. Good man!), that meant some fun with creating in the kitchen after he got back.

As I was getting set to make my own version of a Moroccan Spiced Lamb Burger he had at The G Counter Deli, I happened across a menu item that sounded amazing: "Tandoori chicken burgers with mango & lime mayo".

What a great idea!

I may not have a proper clay oven, but I knew I would have to make my own chicken tandoori burger.

So, I started with a Tandoori spice marinated chicken breast, as I prefer that to actual ground chicken patties.

I used mango slices, rather than in the mayo... and did a mint, cilantro, and lime mayo - I just can't bring myself to serve an Indian inspired dish without some sort of nod to cilantro-mint chutney.

I may be an addict.

Anyway...

As far as fresh veggies go, I added some red onion for colour, crunch, and cucumber for texture, and as a nod to raita - the yogurt sauce served as a creamy dip with many Indian dishes.

... what an utterly mind blowing sandwich!

So many colours, flavours, and textures that both stand out from, and complement each other.

The coolness of the cucumber, sweetness of the mango, and the bright green, fresh flavor from the mayo spread really work well against the spicyness of the chicken.

It all comes together for this amazing, complex, and really well balanced sandwich.

Pretty sure I could live on these Tandoori Chicken Burgers... SO good! (Even without a bun, for me!)

Ingredients

This easy Tandoori chicken burger may have a long list of ingredients, but it’s WORTH it! All of that measuring really pays off with a great tandoori flavor!

Some notes for you:

Chicken

I like to use large boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this, so it acts as a single, solid burger.

If you don’t need a single burger - and would like a higher marinade to meat ratio - feel free to use chicken fillets.

2-3 chicken breast fillet pieces per person works well.

Spices, Herbs, and Aromatics

This is where the real laundry list of ingredients comes in, but - especially if you like cooking Indian food - most should be pantry staples.

In terms of dry spices, you will need Garam Masala (or Tandoori Masala), Cayenne Pepper, Turmeric Powder, Paprika, Ground Coriander, Ground Black Pepper, Ground Cardamom, and Salt

In terms of the fresh herbs and aromatics, you’ll need:

Finely Cilantro
Fresh Mint Leaves
Lime Zest
Garlic Cloves
Fresh Ginger Paste
Lemon Juice

Buns

You can use whatever buns you like for this, just pick something that’s a good size for the chicken breasts you’ll be using.

We’ve made this on Kaiser buns, Bolillo rolls, plain burger buns, gluten free burger buns, and onion buns. I think Naan bread would make a fun “bun”, also!

Everything Else

Rounding out this recipe, you will need:

A fresh mango
Red onion
English cucumber
Greek yogurt / Plain yogurt
Mayonnaise
Red Food Coloring (Optional)

... I just don’t really have anything to add, for these last few ingredients!

How to Make Tandoori Spiced Chicken Burgers

The full recipe is in the recipe card at the end of this post, here is the pictorial walk through:

Marinate the Chicken

Trim chicken breasts, pound to flatten out to a relatively even thickness if desired.

In a small bowl, combine marinade ingredients.

Place chicken in a plastic baggie, cover in marinade, and work it around to coat the chicken entirely. Marinate for 6-12 hours.

While marinating, make the spread:

For Cilantro Mint Mayo

Mix all ingredients together well, in a small or medium bowl.

Note: For a smoother spread, blitz them together in a mini food processor. Also: if you’re a big fan of cilantro, you can use a generous handful of cilantro, rather than just a couple tablespoons!

Cover and chill until you’re ready to assemble the sandwiches.

To Assemble

Preheat grill to medium heat.

Spray grilling grate with grill spray, the arrange marinated chicken breasts in a single layer, with space between each.

Cover grill, cook chicken breasts on the preheated until cooked through.

Note: Use an instant-red thermometer in the thickest part of each chicken breast - cooked burgers should read 165 F.

Spread buns with mayo, arrange mango, red onion, cucumber, and chicken as desired.

Serve immediately, with fries, chips, or a side salad, if desired.

More Sandwich Recipes

Love sandwiches, or just want some new ideas for your lunches? We've got you covered!

Buffalo Chicken Buns
Convention Sloppy Joes
Fancy Tea Sandwiches
Juicy Goosey Burger
Muffaletta Sandwich Recipe
Paneer Burgers
Pesto Chicken Panini
Reuben Buns
Spinach Feta Salmon Burgers
Spinach Hand Pies
Ultimate Lobster Rolls

Vegetarian Donairs (and Vegan Donair Meat)

Share the Love!

Before you chow down, be sure to take some pics of your handiwork! If you Instagram it, be sure to tag me - @CelebrationGenerationCA - or post it to My Facebook Page - so I can cheer you on!

Also, be sure to subscribe to my free monthly email newsletter, so you never miss out on any of my nonsense. Well, the published nonsense, anyway!

Finally, if you love this recipe, please consider leaving a star rating and/or a comment below, and maybe even sharing this post on social media!

More Indian Food Recipes....

Love Indian food? Be sure to check out these other fabulous Indian - and Indian inspired - recipes!

Butter Chicken Recipe
Chicken Shahi Korma Recipe
Cilantro Chicken Recipe
Cilantro-Mint Chutney Recipe
a href="https://celebrationgeneration.com/mango-lassi-popsicles-recipe/">Mango Lassi Popsicles Recipe
Samosa Recipe

Specialty Diet Versions

Looking for gluten-free and/or low carb Indian recipes? Here are a few from my other blogs:

Gluten Free Chicken Pakora
Gluten-Free Mixed Vegetable Pakoras
Gluten Free Paneer Pakora
Gluten-Free Samosas
Keto Chicken Biryani
Low Carb Butter Chicken
Keto Chicken Korma
Low Carb Shrimp Curry

Tandoori Spiced Chicken Burger: So many colours, flavours, and textures that both stand out from, and complement each other!

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