Grilled Tandoori-Inspired Chicken Patties With Jalapeño-Mint Yogurt Sauce Recipe

Inspired by tandoori chicken, these juicy and flavorful grilled chicken patties are loaded with flavor and served with a tangy herbed yogurt sauce.

20180807-grilled-tandoori-chicken-patties-main-morgan-eisenberg
Morgan Eisenberg

Why It Works

  • A little bit of yogurt in the chicken mixture helps keep the patties moist while on the grill.
  • Mixing the seasonings in with the ground chicken distributes more flavor than a traditional marinade allows.
  • Chicken thighs retain more juiciness during cooking than white meat would.

Inspired by tandoori chicken, we toss tender ground chicken with yogurt and Indian spices, then grill it until lightly charred. On toasted flatbread or buns with a tangy yogurt sauce, these flavorful grilled chicken patties give burgers a run for their money.

Recipe Details

Grilled Tandoori-Inspired Chicken Patties With Jalapeño-Mint Yogurt Sauce Recipe

Active 40 mins
Total 100 mins
Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds (900g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs

  • 5 medium cloves garlic

  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin

  • 1 tablespoon paprika

  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander seed

  • 1 teaspoon turmeric

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1 tablespoon (15g) grated fresh peeled ginger

  • 1/2 cup (4.4 ounces; 125g) plain yogurt, divided

  • Juice of 1 lemon, divided

  • 1 jalapeño, stemmed and seeded, finely minced

  • 1/4 cup (6g) fresh mint leaves, finely chopped, plus more for serving

  • Kosher salt

  • 4 naan flatbreads, pita, or burger buns

  • 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced lengthwise into ribbons

  • Fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, for serving

  • Thinly sliced red onion, sliced tomato, and green lettuce, for serving, if desired

Directions

  1. Cut the chicken thighs into chunks, discarding any excess fat. Grind with a meat grinder or mince finely in a food processor, then transfer to a large bowl.

  2. Mince 4 of the garlic cloves and add them to the chicken. Add cumin, paprika, coriander, turmeric, cayenne, ginger, and 2 tablespoons of the yogurt. Squeeze in the juice of half the lemon, being careful not to let seeds in. Stir well. Cover with plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 6 hours.

  3. Meanwhile, mince the remaining 1 clove garlic and add it to a bowl with the remaining 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons yogurt and juice from the remaining half lemon. Stir in the jalapeño and mint and season with salt. Set aside or keep refrigerated.

  4. Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread the coals evenly over half of coal grate. Alternatively, set half the burners of a gas grill to high heat. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate.

  5. While the grill preheats, divide and shape the chicken mixture into 4 patties. Season the patties generously all over with salt, then place directly over hot side of grill. Cook for 6 minutes on each side, or until the center reads 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer.

  6. Toast the naan or burger buns on the grill. Then fill the naan or burger buns with sliced cucumber, lettuce, if using, and the chicken patties. Spoon the yogurt sauce on the patties, then sprinkle with fresh mint leaves and cilantro. Top with tomato and onion, if using, and serve.

Special Equipment

Grill, chimney starter, meat grinder or food processor, instant-read thermometer

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
654 Calories
20g Fat
69g Carbs
55g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 654
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g 25%
Saturated Fat 6g 29%
Cholesterol 208mg 69%
Sodium 1153mg 50%
Total Carbohydrate 69g 25%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 55g
Vitamin C 26mg 128%
Calcium 220mg 17%
Iron 8mg 42%
Potassium 958mg 20%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)