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Air Fryer Chicken Tikka with Spiced Rice

Air Fryer Chicken Tikka with Spiced Rice

If you're still a bit dubious about air fryers, this might be the one to convert you. Juicy, oniony, and minty, this chicken tikka will have your mouth watering.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dinner, Chicken, High Protein Dinners, High-Protein, Airfryer, Most Cooked, Air Fryer, Mob Classic, Nut-Free, Shellfish-Free, Egg-Free
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 400 g Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh
  • 2 tbsp Greek Yoghurt
  • 3 tbsp Tikka Masala Paste
  • 250 g Microwave Rice
  • 2 Lemon
  • 2 Red Onion
  • 275 g Vine Tomato
  • 1 Green Chilli
  • 2 tsp Nigella Seed
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • Salt (to serve)
  • Black Pepper (to serve)
  • 0.25 Cucumber
  • 150 g Greek Yoghurt
  • 15 g Fresh Mint
  • 10 g Fresh Mint

Instructions
 

  • Finely slice the red onions. Add ½ of the sliced onions to a bowl with the juice of ¼ of the lemons and season with salt. Leave to quickly pickle while you prep the rest of the dish. Cut ⅓ of the remaining lemon into wedges and set aside for garnish.
  • Slice the chicken thighs into three pieces. Add to a bowl with the juice of ½ the remaining lemon, the yoghurt and tikka paste. Season generously with salt and pepper, then mix well. Cover and set aside in the fridge for at least 30 mins.
  • Meanwhile, make the raita. Halve the cucumber lengthways and scoop out the seeds before finely dicing. Finely chop the mint. Add the yoghurt to a bowl and squeeze in the juice of the remaining lemon. Add the cucumber and mint to the bowl and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • Add the rest of the onions to the air fryer, drizzle with a glug of olive oil and top with the chicken pieces, then add another small drizzle of oil. Set the air fryer to 200°C and cook for 14-16 mins until charred and the chicken juices run clear.
  • Finely slice the green chilli and cut the tomato into wedges. Add the tomatoes to a bowl along with the nigella seeds, then season with salt and pepper.
  • Cook the rice according to package instructions.
  • Remove the chicken from the air fryer, then toss the cooked onions with the rice. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Divide the rice between two plates, add the tomatoes, then top with the tikka chicken and pickled onions. Scatter with the green chilli, lemon wedges and more mint, if you like.

Notes

Make sure to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes; longer is better for richer flavor absorption. Keep your air fryer in top condition for even cooking; avoid overcrowding the basket. Tweak the spiciness level by adjusting the amount of tikka paste and green chili according to your preference. For added flavor, include spices like cumin or cinnamon to the rice while cooking.